Dacron filler /45/70 QUESTION

[4719dave]

Well guys new to 45/70 been reading alottttttttttt question is how much to use and when ,not all the load data states filler , im going to load tb this week end . which i dont need filler , but have unque,2400,4198,4895 on hand 405 gr cb lyman and rcbs 300 gr gc boolit .I will be picking up some dacron sat 1/2" ?? little help would be great im sorry im shooting a marlin 1895gst

[Larry Gibson]

A 3/4 - 1 gr dacron filler will probably be benificial to ignition consistency with the 2400, 4198 and 4895 depending on which level of 45-70 you are loading to. There are 3 accepted levels and some of us take it to a 4th level. The level depends on the firearm strength the 45-70 is to be used in.

The higher the level (higher pressures) the less likely a dacron filler will be needed with 2400 and 4198, Thos powders, at a certain psi, begin to burn efficiently without the dacron filler. $895 almost always benifits from the dacron filler up through 80% loading density. Above that the dacron filler generally is not needed.

If the 1/2" dacron is "batting" then cut it into strips about 1" wide and then cut the strips into the appropriate size wanted. I usually 'eyeball" the cut as an exact weight has been found through extesive testing to not be necessary. What is necessary is that a right amount of dacron is needed so the air space is filled between powder and bullet base. Just enough is all that is needed and too much can cause accuracy to deteriorate. A sharp pair of scissors is nice.

Larry Gibson

[crabo]

Larry's got a great post on using filler. I use a postage stamp size of dacron over 40 grains of 3031 and a 420 grain boolit. The filler really tightens the groups up in my experience for that load. It gives me 1500 fps and that's all I need.

[maglvr]

The reason I started reloading was I refused to pay $32 for a box of 45-70, my local pusher sold me a old C-H press for 10 bucks and a set of dies for 15.
Wanting to keep it simple, I chose UNIQUE as my powder of choice.
I loaded for a H&R Shikari, the load "IIRC" was 18gr UNIQUE under a 340gr LRNFP.
On top of the powder I placed 1/3 of a sheet of single ply T/P, tamped down with a dowel.
Worked great with no problems.

[nicholst55]

One thing to remember with the Dacron is NOT to tamp it down! It's intended that it take up air space, not that it hold the powder down against the primer like an over-powder wad. Just push it into the case, but don't tamp it down.

[4719dave]

Thanks guys,Its better to ask FIRST !! I found a great post on fillers but lost it some how .

[btroj]

I know I am going against the grain here but I don't use filler in 45-70 with 2400. I get good groups using 24 gr with a plain base 420 cast bullet. I don't use a filler as this load doesn't seem to need one. I like to keep things simple as possible.
I would suggest trying 20 or so rounds both with and without the fuller. See if your gun seems to notice the difference. Use which ever load works best.

[pdawg_shooter]

My 45-70 loads with 4895 are a compressed load using a 430gr paper patch bullets. No place for a filler.

[Larry Gibson]

Thanks guys,Its better to ask FIRST !! I found a great post on fillers but lost it some how .

The 'sticky" on fillers;

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=109280

Larry Gibson

[grouch]

I shoot a rolling block with a Bauska barrel using 25gr of 2400 with a 420gr boolit. It clearly prefers no filler, I've tried various kinds several times over the last 30yrs or so. I think btroj has it right, you should try both and see what works.
Grouch

[1Shirt]

I agree with Larry Gibson!
1Shirt!:coffee:

[runfiverun]

the whole idea of a filler is to position the powder against the primer for more consistent ignition.
you must have contact between the powder and the boolit both with the filler.
you need to start load development over with filler.
in a 308 28.5 4895 with a filler[1.5-2.0 grs cotton dryer lint] and 30 grs without will @ give the same velocity,
you just made the case volumn smaller.
you can often times use a primer with a lower brisance level when using a filler and gain even more accuracy.
at least with a medium burn rate powder.
anything faster than @ aa-2230 i dont use a filler, and generally anything slow enough to fill a case more than 80% full i don't use a filler [except in some h/v applications]