Tri-Ball load?

[dk17hmr]

I know this has been covered here before, but if a guy were to load 2 or 3 round balls in a 45-70 case what would be a good powder to use?

And do the balls need to be soft lead or will WW work out?

This sparked my interest and I have finally scraped enough quarters together to purchase a Lee .457 RB mold.

[Scrounger]

Ten grains of Unique would be a good place to start...

[Bullshop]

From my notes,
This load gave the tightest pattern, about 3" at 30 yards.
Case - WW
Boolit - .457" RBx3
primer - cci#200
powder - 16.8gn Alcan #8
one lube wad under first ball.

I have tried lube wads under each of the first two balls but patterning opens.
I seat the first two balls one at a time with the belling die to just below the mouth. Then seat the last with the seater die to just past half way. Then crimp sepperatly.
The AL#8 may be a problem for you, but blue dot is very close. I know that I have also used 2400 for this with good results but for some reason can not locate those notes.
Should mention that this was from a Marlin. If I were to load for a trapdoor I would go with the springfield data. I think it is available in the Spence Wolf book.
Enjoy
BIC/BS

[dk17hmr]

I should have mentioned this will be coming out of my 32" NEF 45-70.

Can I just use a light coat of tumble lube on the balls?

Do they have to be pure/soft lead or can I use wheel weights when casting?

[NickSS]

I use three pure lead balls and 40 gr of black powder. This is the old Guard cartridge load the Army used to use. Place a card wad over the powder then a lube wad. I then push two balls in with a ML short starter followed by a last one seated with the seating die about half way and crimped. Results are excelent giving me something like 3 to 5 inch groups at 50 yards When fired in my Pedersoli infantry rifle.

[jhalcott]

what do you want to do with them? soft lead should expand more than ww . At the velocity you will get either should work. I added the weights of the balls and used a low range of powders to start then worked up to a max. I used these in a contender 14" barrel. Results were NOT encouraging enough to continue experimenting.

[Bullshop]

I prefer WW for this.
BIC/BS

[hs45/70]

Haven't had much success with a three ball load , but one and two ball loads worked quite well.

Ruger #3 45/70 3x9 scope

W.W. case and LRPrimer
Lee 147 gr RB x2 Wheel wt. Round ball as cast/unsized, seated flush with case mouth and alox on top.
14.8 grains Unique
Cotton filler
1490...1420...1472 fps
3 shots/6 holes in 2 inch square at 50 yards


One ball load same components

10.0 gr Unique
147 gr Rnd Ball seated flush with case mouth, alox on top
Cotton filler 1235..1274..1247 fpsecond

3 shots/100yds @ 2.10 inch

..............your mileage may vary

[MtGun44]

A friend used to load 3 round balls in a .38 Spl case, he
called it his "hock shop load", which made me smile then
and now.

Bill

[PPpastordon]

Sounds familiar. However, mine were in a .357 case in the old days. Last loading was 3 .315's in a Speer .357 shot capsule. Backed with enough Unique, it makes something I would not like to be shot with across any room. They turn my 6 shooter into an 18 shooter.

[1Shirt]

Have loaded 1, 2, and 3 RB loads for 45-70, 444, 44M, 357 Mag with at least X amount of sucess over unique. The new stuff is a lot cleaner. Had best results with (if memory serves me right) with about 10 gr. of unique in 444 and 45-70. I Have one target on the wall near my loading bench that I shot at 25 yds. w/444 and 3 ball load. 5 Shots, 15 holes, spread about 8", shot fast, offhand. Would not have wanted to be on the receiving end of same. Like the term "hock shop loads" and will remember that. I roll the soft lead balls in Lee mule snot and leave them to dry for a week or so. Fun stuff!
1Shirt!:coffee: