Powders for .45-70

[The Moose Whisperer]

I am new to reloading so have no experience with any of the various powders. Have done some reading and talked to some folks and the top contenders for .45-70 powders seem to be, in no particular order, H4198, IMR4198, Reloader 7, H322 and IMR3031.

What are you guys using and what would you recommend for a newbie loading up cast bullets in a Marlin Guide Gun? For whatever reason I am leaning toward IMR3031 or Reloader 7.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by The Moose Whisperer

I am new to reloading so have no experience with any of the various powders. Have done some reading and talked to some folks and the top contenders for .45-70 powders seem to be, in no particular order, H4198, IMR4198, Reloader 7, H322 and IMR3031.

What are you guys using and what would you recommend for a newbie loading up cast bullets in a Marlin Guide Gun? For whatever reason I am leaning toward IMR3031 or Reloader 7.

Uhhh, FFG or Pyrodex select??

I know 4198 works very well however, as does 3031 - never used R7
Cat

[LuckySeven]

I would go with the H4198 as it is one of Hodgdon's Extreme powders, and is insensitive to temperature changes. Good for spring bear when temperatures coud get to 20+ or fall/winter temps when it drops well below zero.
Works for me anyways !!!

[hs4570]

Have been reloading /experimenting with the 45/70 since 1978...started with a Ruger #3 .. much later a T/Contender pistol and for a Browning 78 single shot about 2 years now.

Have used IMR4198/H4198...IMR3031..IMR4227 and Reloader 7 in my 45/70's useing 220 gr. to 520 gr cast and copper bullets. Have found excellent accuracy with all these powders.
Have used Re 7 in medium to max loads with 400 gr. copper jacketed REM. and Winchester 405's and accuracy was just great also in the 1700-2000 fps. range.

With 500 gr cast at black powder velocities, at circa 1250 fps Alliant 2400 and Unique at 1100 fps and Imr 3031 at 1450 fps gives one inch goups/100yds/3 shots.

With 400 gr. cast ..Imr4227 at 1300 fps was also accurate

Useing 147 gr round ball and for 45/70 #7 1/2 shot loads, Unique works best.

Shooting .45 cal BP sabots with 200 gr .358 Hornadys' ...IMR 4198 was best at about 1930 fps.

All these powders work very well in the 45/70 and you only need to decide what bullet you want to use and how fast you want to push it depending on what type of rifle you have.

.

[Canuck44]

I have had good luck with IMR 4198 with 30 grains under a 405 gr cast and it also works well for hotter loads. Have also used H335 and it seemed fine but didn't meter as well and needed more powder to get the same velocities. I have heard that trail boss works well and you don't need much powder for the low velocity cast loads, might try it next.

[Janitor Pants]

I have had good luck with win748 and a magnum primer. I don't remember off hand the amount of powder, but it is basically as much as the case will hold and still fit a 400 grain bullet without compressing.I'll look at exact numbers when I get home. I have had good luck with the 300 gr. and a similar setup as well.

This is out of a marlin guide gun as well, I have heard some people have terrible accuracy issues with this powder, but it has been great for me.

[The Moose Whisperer]

Thanks for the reply's guys. Looks like most of the powders listed would likely work, but the nod seems to be going to H4198 so maybe I'll give it a go. The goal is to get a 405gr cast bullet to about 1800fps - though not sure if this is within pressure capacity of the Guide Gun. Gonna pick up some reloading books/info and work my way up, but hoping the above velocity is realistic cause I think it would pack a good punch inside 150yds.

[sbtennex]

H4198's a good powder for the .45-70, but don't know if you'll get a 405 cast to 1800 fps safely with it. RL 10 will reach it with either a 405 gr FB or GC WITH A 22-24" BARREL, but you're talking max load here and in the Guide gun, recoil will be ferocious. I shoot the big loads from an XLR (24") and even then it's quite something. 10 hot rounds with a T-shirt on and I'll wear some color on my shoulder, and ear protection is a must! You want to be careful with the levergun - I've had absolutely no visible sign of excess pressure and then out of the blue a tight case. Always ejected it, and it showed excess stretch, but that's a bit too close for my comfort zone. Plus, the XLR is stainless and should have more chamber strength than blued steel of the same bore and diameter - how much, I have no way of calculating. That's far too "proprietary" to be available info.

[Canuck44]

Originally Posted by The Moose Whisperer

Thanks for the reply's guys. Looks like most of the powders listed would likely work, but the nod seems to be going to H4198 so maybe I'll give it a go. The goal is to get a 405gr cast bullet to about 1800fps - though not sure if this is within pressure capacity of the Guide Gun. Gonna pick up some reloading books/info and work my way up, but hoping the above velocity is realistic cause I think it would pack a good punch inside 150yds.

have heard that you don't want to run cast above 1600fps.

[catnthehat]

Most modern rounds such as the '06 run max at about 2,000 FPS with cast bullets.
Generally however, with an older style case like the 45/70 and black powder, around 1,200 tends to work better....
Cat