500-600 gr. 45-70 Load Data

[Johnw...ski]

Does anyone publish load data for the big 500 to 600 gr. boolits and smokeless powder in the 45-70 cartridge.

Thanks,

John

[mag44uk]

I use AA 5744 with Lyman postell 535 gn in a Uberti Highwall. Shoots exceedingly well!
Tony

[Ron in PA]

I use 23gr. of 4759 and a 500 cast boolits , in a trapdoor springfield. Ron

[John Boy]

Does anyone publish load data for the big 500 to 600 gr. boolits and smokeless powder in the 45-70 cartridge.
Yep, and they have been for years ...

Lyman's New 49th Edition Reloading Handbook (http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/books.htm)

Might want to buy a copy of Cartridges of the World too

[hcpookie]

Hornady's current manual also has loads for that size. The general rule of thumb is that all the heavy loads are only for "modern" firearms. The Ruger #1 and #3 are mentioned by name. Hornady's listing is up on the hot side - the assumption is that the modern guns can take these pressures. In fact they state that the pressure gets up to 50,000 CUP if I remember correctly. I don't think I'd load up these hot ones in a NEF single-shot, they are so hot. The Lyman numbers are much more tame, all around the 35,000 CUP range. STILL only acceptable for modern firearms.

By MODERN, they are referring to are the lever guns that have been made since whatever design change they made to them back in the '70s or '80s - don't remember the details - and the converted Mausers, and finally the modern trap door guns.

I have a modern rifle and plan to load some 500 gr. up based on the Lyman numbers and work from there. I don't know that I will use the Hornady loads, but I may try it to see what the Chrony says. My shoulder may say "no" before the Chrony does :)



I picked up a magazine last week which talked about some commercial .45-70 loads in that range - and went so far as to mention specific rifles that have been used with them on a regualr basis in Africa and Alaska. Let me get the mag and check the names when I get back home tonight.

[hcpookie]

Guns Magazine 2009 Special Edition

Article: The .45-70: America's Greatest Big Bore


Article discusses Heavy ammo loads built by:

http:// www.BuffaloBore.com

http://www.garrettcartridges.com

http://www.castperformance.com

http://www.laser-cast.com

The article discusses using a Marlin 1895 loaded with this heavy ammunition for African game. Apparently all of the "new" Marlin leverguns can handle these heavy loads.

HTH

[hs45/70]

From www. beartoothbullets.com

All loads useing Starline 45/70 brass. Win. LRPrimers COL length 2.557 inch.
Ruger #1 22 inch brl.

AA 2495.........45.0 gr. 1520 fps.
IMR 4198.......42.7 gr. 1612 fps
IMR 3031.......52.8 gr. 1683 fps
IMR 4227.......28.0 gr. 1443 fps
Alliant 2400....24.0 gr 1346 fps
Reloder 7...... 44.3 gr. 1705 fps
H4895............56.5 gr 1820 fps
H-322.............51.0 gr 1549 fps

I use a Lee GC and a Lyman GC at 500 grains...and 24.0 gr 2400 at 1300 fps and 45.0 gr IMR3031 at 1470 fps in my #3 Ruger and B-78 with excellent accuracy, useing both loads in both rifles ..to 200 yds. Have not ventured into the 1600 + fps range.

[AZ-Stew]

you said:

"By MODERN, they are referring to are the lever guns that have been made since whatever design change they made to them back in the '70s or '80s - don't remember the details - and the converted Mausers, and finally the modern trap door guns."


hcpookie,

Were you referring to falling block actions for these hot loads? I wouldn't fire any of them in any trapdoor action, whether it was built in the 1800s or a replica built yesterday. The action design is not compatible with pressures that high, despite the use of modern steels.

Regards,

Stew

[hcpookie]

you said:

"By MODERN, they are referring to are the lever guns that have been made since whatever design change they made to them back in the '70s or '80s - don't remember the details - and the converted Mausers, and finally the modern trap door guns."


hcpookie,

Were you referring to falling block actions for these hot loads? I wouldn't fire any of them in any trapdoor action, whether it was built in the 1800s or a replica built yesterday. The action design is not compatible with pressures that high, despite the use of modern steels.

Regards,

Stew
OOPS you're absolutely right - I was in a hurry when I was typing that up, so my apologies