need one versitile powder to handle 45Colt and 45-70

[superior]

I'm going over to Cabellas today for a pound of powder. I'd like to get one that will work for 45-70 (340-405 gr) as well as, 45Colt (255-300gr).
Any suggestions?
Thanks

[btroj]

Depends on your velocity expectations. I would personally go with 2400. Others will say Unique I am sure.
I prefer 2400 as a cast bullet powder in rifle cartridges over all others. It works darn well in 45 Colt too.

Brad

[white eagle]

H 110

[Firebricker]

Unique for plinking rounds but I don't think there's one powder that will take both caliber,s to there full potential. FB

[JesterGrin_1]

H 110

Come on White Eagle H-110 in a 45-70. It would blow up.

I think that 2400 would be a good powder to go with as well. For the 45 Colt and the 45-70 along with many others if you are so inclined.

[HARRYMPOPE]

6-8g unique 45 Colt 12-14g in 45-70.Both are hard to beat.

HMO

[peerlesscowboy]

Unique

[Baja_Traveler]

You're all way off - Black is the only way to go with those two cartridges!

[Andy_P]

H4198

[white eagle]

how do figure 110 would blow anything up ?
guess I should repraze
110 in the kolt
haven't used the 45-70

[No_1]

Unique.


Unique


6-8g unique 45 Colt 12-14g in 45-70.Both are hard to beat.

HMO

[JesterGrin_1]

how do figure 110 would blow anything up ?

H-110 and W-296 can not be reduced much. I know in pistol rounds it is 3%. So in a 45-70 the H-110 or W-296 would have to almost fill the case. Sorry I can not imagine that. Nor wish to.

Sorry White Eagle I did not wish for the unknowing to think they could fill up a 45-70 case with H-110 and all would be fine which is the complete opposite.


Awwwww you caught it and changed it Thank You lol. :)

[Doc Highwall]

2400, I have shot a lot of it in 45-70 and 44 mag and the 45 Colt is not much different in case capacity and bullet weight.

[chboats]

+1 to 2400. Have used it in both. works great.

Carl

[45r]

4759 works also

[MtGun44]

Unique or 2400, depending on whether you want full power or medium power loads.

Bill

[Iowa Fox]

I don't have a 45 Colt but do shoot a lot of 44 mag (kind of close)and 45/70.

Unique for me all the way.

[Artful]

Unique is one of the most versitile powders and would sure work - but my favorite for 45-70 is AA's 5744 and it might be good for heavy bullet 45 colt loadings as well - I been meaning to check that out as I bought a 300 grn Lee 6 cav to try. Other wise 2400 would be my choice for moderate cast loads in 45 colt and 45-70.

[btroj]

Thanks for mixing the H10 guys. This is what happens when someone answers a question without knowledge on what the original post asked. Not to be harsh white eagle but if you have no knowledge of 45-70 loading how can you answer?

[JesterGrin_1]

btroj No use starting a :takinWiz: match. I caught it and brought it to lite in due time. But even if I did not I am sure someone else would have.

And then there are reloading books of which everyone should consult before the use of any reloading component.

And I agree that people should really read the question at hand but we all make mistakes. But with all of the good people on this forum we can help to keep those mistakes few and far between. :drinks:

[cajun shooter]

That is a very easy question and even though you requested one, this is one powder that is available in different grains. 2F or 3F Goex, SWISS, or any of the others that you may want to try.

[superior]

I'm leaning towards 2400, since I use it in 7.62x39 and 303Brit. I see silhoutte loads for 45 colt in my Hodgdon manual. but nothing with 2400 for the 45-70. Can someone suggest a load for the 405gr pill to simulate 40grains of H4198 ( or close to it)?
Although we have Cabella Points to use, I refused to pay their "smoking crack" prices on powder. They had Hodgdon powders priced at $26.99. I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut-hole that I can do better elsewhere. Thanks for the replies, guys!

[Doc Highwall]

24 grains of 2400 in a 45-70 with a 400 grain bullet is close to the velocity of what black powder would do.

[Echo]

you're all way off - black is the only way to go with those two cartridges!

way to go, bt!

[RayinNH]

Trail Boss hasn't been mentioned yet...Ray

[R.M.]

Trail Boss hasn't been mentioned yet...Ray
Yup, I'd sure be looking into TB. I'd also get a couple of up-to-date loading manuals and research what you're looking for over getting your info on an internet forum, no matter how good a forum it is.

[Larry Gibson]

Both the 45 Colt and the 45-70 are loaded to 3 different levels. I actually load the 45-70 to a 4th level in my Siamese mauser)

Would be helpful if we knew the levels or at least the firearms these are to be loaded for.

Larry Gibson

[btroj]

Not just the firearm but a desired velocity. Sadly, you won't get top velocity in each wi the same powder.
I still say 2400. You can load to a reasonably good velocity in each with good accuracy. Meters like nothing else. It just flat works.

Brad

[superior]

I'd like aprox 1100 fps with the 300gr colt and at least 1300 in the 1895g. No need for more speed. The wife blew quarter sized holes (2) through a steel truck rim placed end to end with the Lee 457-405-f @ 1300fps. That's all the power I'll ever need at woods ranges on the ranch. The 300gr Colt 45 at 1100 will dispatch anything that crosses my path also. It blew a half dollar sized hole through a fox @ 20 yards with gobs of power to spare. It went through a smallish mesquite tree after it exited the fox. If these velocities are obtainable with 2400, as well as good accuracy, I'll be a happy rancher! 2400 does very well in the no.5 Jungle carbine and sks paratrooper. If it services 4 different guns??...I'm stoked!

[JesterGrin_1]

I have yet to use 2400 as my loads were more specific towards more speed and power. But I have done a bunch of reading on 24OO both here and other places and I have to say the use of 2400 will cover a mind blowing array of cartridges. But I do see 2400 in my reloading future soon. :)

In pistol cartridges you can load darn close if not the same as some renowned magnum powders such as H-110 and W-296. But the beauty is that it can be reduced and still give great results.

For Rifle rounds you will not get top velocities with 2400 but then again it really is not meant for that. But what you will get is a good powder burn for low to mid range loads with good accuracy.

I have used Unique for Pistol years ago and to be honest I am just not that found of it since it was so dirty. But I have read that that has been changing.

So to each there own. But when in doubt ask questions as only the dumb do not ask. So no such thing as a dumb question.

[runnin lead]

That is a very easy question and even though you requested one, this is one powder that is available in different grains. 2F or 3F Goex, SWISS, or any of the others that you may want to try.

You beat me. Black powder would work great in 45 Colt & 45-70.
Or Accurate 5744 if you would like to use smokeless powder.

[mpmarty]

I have had great success with Unique in 45/70 using 15gr under a 350gr ranch dog cast boolit. I haven't loaded for 45 LC in many years but used to use H-110 in my ruger Blackhawk.

[sirgknight]

I use Trail Boss for 45 Colt, but don't shoot 45-70. TB is my powder of choice for the Colt (cowboy loads).

[thx997303]

I have had great success with Unique in 45/70 using 15gr under a 350gr ranch dog cast boolit. I haven't loaded for 45 LC in many years but used to use H-110 in my ruger Blackhawk.

15 gr unique with the 350 gr ranch dog shoots 1 inch groups at 100 yards in my guide gun.

It's good for about 1300 fps.

[MtGun44]

1100 in the .45 Colt is about 10 gr Unique, 1300 in the .45-70 is about 15 gr, but PLEASE
look these up in a couple of good books and don't take my word for it.

2400 can do both of those velocities, too, but will use more powder, therefore more $$
per shot.

Bill

[geargnasher]

Lots of answers and only ONE has been correct and safe for the amount of information given in the OP, or even in post #29: BLACK POWDER. One of the granular substitutes would be a second, but not mentioned. I say this because you could fill the case to 105% compression and be able to fire it safely in any model of either caliber ever made that is in good condition, with just about any boolit.

Now, I still don't know what .45 Colt we're talking about. An antique Colt SAA? A modern one or repro? A Super blackhawk? S&W? It matters a great deal. 2400 will hardly even light at SAA levels or Ruger-only levels with light boolits in my guns, although it works great even at trapdoor levels in the .45/70. H110 is an absolute no-go in the .45/70 at any speed. Unique would be fine for both, but to get 1100 fps out of a 300 grain boolit in a revolver going using it would take .454 Casull pressure levels. 5744 isn't all that great for the .45 Colt, either. Unique isn't good for much range 45/70 unless you have a tang sight.

Gear

[thx997303]

Unique isn't good for much range 45/70 unless you have a tang sight.

Gear

Unique is capable of roughly blackpowder velocities in the 45-70, especially in the modern rifles.

If the above caution applies to unique, it should also apply to blackpowder.

[geargnasher]

So true, J.

My point about safety and the importance of knowing for what guns these recommendations for a "universal" powder should be made was that it is easily possible to blow up any gun chambered in either cartridge with Unique, but something would really have to be off to do it with BP in even an SAA or a Trapdoor Springfield.

Gear

[superior]

The sixgun is a Ruger Blackhawk w/ 7.5" bbl.

[Larry Gibson]

superior

As mentioned it is basically Unique for smokeless or BP. Since you probably want smokeless then realise that with the disparency in case capacities and firearm types selecting one powder for both is a compromise. Compromises are many times satisfactory with one and just ok in the other. In my early years reloading I pondered over the very same thing along with the "all around gun" idea. I discovered that I really didn't care to compromise.

I would suggest 2 powders; Unique for the 45 Colt loads and SR4759 or AA5744 for the 45-70 loads. I know that's not what you wanted to hear but it will give you excellent loads for both cartrdges using the bullets you want to use, at the velocity levels you want to use them with no compromise.

Larry Gibson

[superior]

Thanks for the replies all.. I'll try the 2400 at first, then go from there if it proves to be unsatisfactory. Sr-4759 is a powder I've come across in my reading many a time. It seems to be another very versatile powder. The key to my criteria is that all of my shooting is done at 75 yards or less. If I can bust a buck or a hog with reasonable accuracy, my objective will have been achieved. I must say that I'm also intrigued by Unique. :)

[chboats]

Superior - In my Siamese Mauser 20" barrel, with a BRP 462420GC, 24 to 26gr of 2400 will give me 3 touching holes at a 100 yds from a cold barrel. After that they open up to 1 1/2". I use a tuft of dacron to keep the powder in place. This is what works for me.

Carl

[1Shirt]

2400! Wouldn't be without it!
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[singleshot]

If you want a little higher velicity: 2400 - superb in pistol and reduced rifle loads, not position sensitive.

If you want to just fill the case and shoot: Trailboss

[Irascible]

I wonder why 4227 was not mentioned. Did I miss it?

[Clinebo]

I use 2400 a lot. I load everything from .22 Hornet, (which it was designed for) to .45 Colt. Very versatile powder.

[gunslinger20]

I use 2400 & H-110 in 45 colt, 2400 has a little less felt recoil and a little less valosity than h-110. I havent had any problems with squib loads or failures of any kind with either powder. Of course I dont shoot reduced loads of H-110.

[kmag]

Shot 45 Colt and 45-70 using Unique and was happy with the results.

[Jim]

A few years back, I suggested using IMR 7383 in the .45 Colt. (http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/7383/Jim7383.html) "It won't work!" I made it work.
Then I suggested using it in the .45-70. I heard the same thing again. And I made it work in that caliber, too.
I bought two 28 pound cases of it at $4 a pound. I was determined to make it work. I'm still using it to this day.

[H110]

Just my 2 cents. I own both 45 colt and 45-70 and have for years, although there are powders that will go bang in both you simply cannot make one powder work with close to 100% efficiency in both. Any one powder will favor one or the other.