45-70 300 gr FPGC load data ?

[Rich Jake]

Anyone out there know where I can find some load data for the 300 FPGC bullet for the 45-70 from Castperformance? I figured that I'd try them out of an Encore Katahdin barrel for deer. If there isn't any data available, Can I use jacketed data for 300 grainers? Any help would be appreciated.

[45 2.1]

I use the Lyman 457191 either cast of soft alloy and lubed or cast of pure lead, sized down, then paper patched with 30.0 gr. of SR4759. This load is a top load for the trapdoors and listed in the older Lyman manuals. It goes a little over 1500 fps and kills very well.

[McLintock]

From the "The Complete Reloading Manual for the 45-70", they show data for the RCBS 300 grain gas check bullet for both he Marlin 1895 and the Ruger No. 1; don't know which would be the best for your setup, but here's what they show. They do specify that these loads exceed Trapdoor limits, however under the Lyman bullet section they show the load that 45 2.1 lists as for the Trapdoor; go figure, it's listed at 1600 fps and 14,600 cpu pressure.
Marlin 1895
IMR 4895 52 to 54 gr, 1727 to 1790 fps
IMR 4198 43.9 to 46.0 gr, 1811 to 1894 fps
SR 4759 30.0 to 32.0 gr, 1578 to 1681 fps
2400 27.0 to 29.0 gr, 1538 to 1655 fps

Ruger No.1
IMR 3031 53.0 to 55.0, 1712 to 1782 fps
IMR 4198 41.0 to 43.0, 1537 to 1655 (not as hot as for the Marlin)
IMR 4227 34.0 to 36.0 gr., 1704 to 1823 fps
2400 32.0 to 34.0 gr, 1643 to 1767 fps

Ought to be able to find something in there for your shooter.
McLintock

[Rich Jake]

Thanks guys ! That gives me a place to start. I really didn't realize that it would be tough to find data for that. It was much easier finding data for 405's & 500's.

[Buckshot]

..............I thought it would be interesting to add some data I have on hand from several years ago, to what McLintock found and posted. I don't have a Ruger #1 or a Marlin Lever action. My data was gathered in a MAS36 bolt action converted to 45-70.

This rifle has a 6 groove 24" barrel with a standard 45-70 Gov't chamber, and the barrel slugs .450"x458". My first pressure indications come from extraction, which may not really mean anything depending upon the chamber, but that's the first thing you do to see the brass. Secondly it's primer apperance. There are exceptions here besides pressure which can effect a primers appearance, but it's not necessary to this post. I've used Winchester primers since forever so I am very familiar with them.

I'll do a comparison to what I got.

"Ruger No.1, 300gr RCBS
IMR 3031 53.0 to 55.0, 1712 to 1782 fps"

My data: 300gr RCBS fired 6-17-96. R-P cases, WLR primer. Javalina, Hornady. Temp 90*, OAL: 2.640, IMR3031.

52.0, 1771fps
54.0, 1864 fps
56.0, 1913 fps
58.0, 2006 fps
Note: 56.0 gr showing some pressure, 58.0gr flat to radius.

"Marlin 1895, 300gr RCBS
IMR 4198 43.9 to 46.0 gr, 1811 to 1894 fps"

My data: 300gr RCBS fired 9-11-96. R-P cases, WLR primer. Javalina, Hornady. Temp 68*, OAL: 2.665", IMR4198.

42.0, 1760 fps
43.0, 1823 fps
44.0, 1878 fps
45.0, 1952 fps
Note: All okay, primers a bit flat, extraction easy.

"Marlin 1895, 300gr RCBS
IMR 4895 52 to 54 gr, 1727 to 1790 fps"

I don't have any 300gr RCBS data. My data is with a Lee 405gr bullet Paper Patched, 12-1 alloy. Lubed with TL, cardwad at the base. OAL: 2.740. Fired 4-23-96, temp 88*.

52.0, 1795 fps
53.0, 1796 fps
54.0, 1851 fps
55.0, 1942 fps
Note: 55.0gr load beginning to affect factory radius (of the primer), easy extraction.

Additional IMR4895 data. This with the Lee 450gr slug Paper Patched, WW alloy. Fired 9-11-96 Lee TL, OAL: 2.780". Temp 68*.

53.0, 1778 fps
54.0, 1840 fps
55.0, 1871 fps
56.0, 1892 fps
Note: Primer factory radius barely affected.

BTW, these were all 5 shot groups at 50 yards, peep/aputure sights. The last 3 of the above went .800", .870", and 1.06" respectively.

............Buckshot

[45nut]

45-70 Government
300 GR. CAST
Varget 45.0 gr. 1599 17,800 55.0 gr. 1880 20,600
H4895 45.0 gr. 1572 14,400 51.0 gr. 1703 15,500
H4198 30.0 gr. 1390 14,400 35.5 gr. 1641 16,100

this data is from the Cowboy section of Hodgdons website,looks pretty safe to me.

[Rich Jake]

Thanks Ken ! What I was asking before my ISP took a dive on the chat at SP. Do you know what the pressure rating is for the encore as far as the 45-70 is concerned? In another words, what level data can I use out of the manuals? Can the encore action use the ruger #1 & 3 load data?