45-70 Reload Data

[Outbound]

I'm looking for a target/practice round to reload for my Marlin 45-70, not hunting or defence (I use factory S&B 405gr for that).

- My bullets are CamPro 300gr RNFP

- My powder is IMR 4198

- My brass is once fired S&B.

CamPro lists H4198 but not IMR. Can I just use H4198 powder charges? Any suggestions on powder charges I should start with?

[Dean2]

Start with the base load for H 4198 and work up. My favourite 45 70 powder is 3031. Varget also works well, but 4198 works and a guy might as well use what he has. Loaded to 1200 fps makes a good target load with light kick.

[6MT]

Here’s what I load for my Pedersoli 1886…

300gr Campro RNFP bullet
Various brass, CCI BR2 primers
Speeds: 1921fps - Pedersoli model 1886 rifle
COAL measurement: 2.525”
47.0gr IMR4198

The barrel is 26” on the big 1886. Thus a faster speed then you’ll get with your Marlin bear buster. This is my target load to 300m.

[obsessed1]

My favorite fun load is 405 cast bullets over 13gr of reddot and a mag primer. Makes about 1100fps in my 16" dark and recoils like a pop gun lol. My hunting load is
Same hard cast over 48.5gr of IMR3031and magnum primers at 1680fps. I had to mess around with charge weights quite a bit as the short barrel was just spewing unburnt powder out the barrel. Magnum primers helped but reducing down to the point that I was only getting a few kernals landed me at 48.5gr.

[fps plus]

For light loads check out Trailboss powder

[Outbound]

Thanks for the tips guys, gives me a good starting point.

I'll check out the other powders and bullets mentioned. I have a stockpile of CamPro and IMR 4198 though, so I'll work through that first.

[hogie]

I use IMR4198 and 405 Campro and Rem bullets. My 1885 I use around 32 grains, my 1886/71 I'm at 37 I think. Good powder, mild to wild when you go through reloading manuals. I keep mine on the mild side, big bullets don't need high velocity to be effective. Used from trapdoor to Ruger #1. Check Hodgson online manuals for load data. Lyman manual also very good resource, use multiple bullet manufacturers in the data.

[Outbound]

I did notice quite the swing in loads depending on the manual, everything from 29gr to 52gr.

This thread reminds me that I really need to get a chronograph to help out on this stuff. I don't shoot or reload enough to justify $600 - $800 for one though.

[hogie]

Originally Posted by Outbound

I did notice quite the swing in loads depending on the manual, everything from 29gr to 52gr.

This thread reminds me that I really need to get a chronograph to help out on this stuff. I don't shoot or reload enough to justify $600 - $800 for one though.

Just stay within a good reloading manuals load data. 45-70 has three different load information. Trapdoor, which would be the original, modern lever action and full on Ruger #1 and probably modern 1885 as well.

It doesn’t need to be pushed hard to get good accuracy out of it. You can use Trapdoor and modern lever load data. Your shoulder may tell you when to stop. It's a fun round.