Critique my load

[HEAD0001]

I just purchased a new Sharps Reproduction 1874, by Pedersoli. The caliber is 45-70. I am going to try this load tomorrow:
Lyman 405 grain bullet
Lead mixture is pure WW
LAR45 lube-not the red carnuba-the one just under it(CBA) or something like
that.
Winchester nickel plated cases
CCI Large Rifle BR Primers
40.0 grains RL7

I am hoping to get about 1500 fps from this load-barrel length of my Sharp's is
34 inches. I am assuming pure WW should be acceptable-I have read so much about lead mixtures that I am truly confused. No gas check. What do you guys think??? Tom.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/HEAD0001/IMG_0304.jpg

[Bigjohn]

I have no access to RL-7 powder but have use plain base projectile loads in my Martini, Browning and Pedersoli rifle without any problems.

My charges were based on SR 4759 powder and shot quite well.

25grs SR 4759, ignited by Winchester LR primers in WW cases with dacron wad behind a 420gr PBFN boolit. I never chrono'd the loads but grouping was under 1" and 3/4's at 100yds.

Barrel twist rates 1 in 18" for the Browning 1 in 18.25" in the Pedersoli; Martini ??.

John.

[Maven]

HEAD001, You may want to look at Mike Venturino's article on the .45-70, "All-Purpose .45-70 Loads" in the June 2007 (#247) issue of "Handloader" magazine as he also loads for various Sharps rifles.

[MT Chambers]

Okay...I'll step up to the plate and critique your loads...the 45/70 and other 19th century cartridges shoot better with black powder because you can fill 'em right up and not have to worry about powder orientation in the case or fillers of breakfast cereal or some such....you can play around with the smokeless stuff but remember...."once you try black you'll never go back".

[StrawHat]

I agree with MTChamber in that my results have shown black powder to be the preferred diet for most of my guns.

There is a bit of a learning curve but after that the simplicity of the system is astounding.

I now have onlya few powders in my powder locker where I used to have about twenty!

No, black powder doesn't work in every cartridge but it is very good (and appropriate) for the 45-70.

Good luck and keep us posted of your results.

[SharpsShooter]

I know you wanted advice about your load, but I'm stuck on BlackPowder for the 45-70. Lyman 457125 cast of 40:1 or Annealed WW with 55gr of Goex Cartridge a fiber wad over the powder and a card wad on top of that is not a bad place to start. My C Sharps likes it rather well and it is pleasant to shoot too.


40gr of RL7 will put you right at 1450fps and 13,500 C.U.P. and that is still trapdoor level loads. It will be ok. Let us know how it shoots.


SS