Varget in my .45-70???

[waco]

I have an RCBS 405GR RNFP W/GC and a Lyman 385GR RND nose.
Is Varget a usable powder in the .45-70?
If so...Any load info would be helpful....min. and max charges?
thanks again guys!.....
Waco:lovebooli

[EDK]

You need to specify what make of 45/70 rifle you have. The loads vary by the strength of your rifle...Trapdoor Springfield is the lowest; then Marlin 1895/Winchester 1886; the strongest are Ruger #1 and #3 single shots.

Hodgdon has a booklet with cowboy loads for various calibers. My 5th edition shows charges of 40.0 to 50.0 of VARGET for 405 grain cast.

You should go to www.hodgdon.com for their loading data. It shows a number of loads in various calibers...especially since they have pretty much absorbed some other companies.

:cbpour::redneck::Fire:

[Shooter6br]

used Varget in my Pedersoli RB with good results .Again depends on what pressure your 45-70 is able to handle I used a 350 cast with a load for Trapdoor pressures I find Varget a very good powder in most applications

[Rusty W]

I have a Lyman 48th and here's what they show for the 3 levels

Springfield trapdoor models

mould# 457193...405gr oal..2.55
Varget MIN...42grs..1258 fps......MAX....46.5 grs...1436 fps

mould# 457124...385gr oal..2.54
Varget MIN...44grs..1292 fps....MAX...49.0 grs.....1504 fps
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1886 Winchester and Marlin Leveraction level

They only show a 405 gr bullet same mould as above
Varget MIN...49.5grs...1591 fps....MAX...55.0grs....1772 fps
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruger #1 &#3 loads
385 gr boolit same mould as the top
Varget...MIN...53grs...1681 fps.....MAX...59grs...compressed...1903 fps

405 gr boolit doesn't show any data with Varget. My guess would be they ran out of case room.
I have no personal experiance with Varget. I use 3031 mostly, from 38grs up to 52grs depending on the boolit and the need.

[largom]

I load 49.5 gr. Varget with a 415gr. boolit in my 1895 Marlin and it cuts holes. Slight trace of partially burned powder [couple grains] but accuracy is great.
LARRY

[cohutt]

I load 49.5 gr. Varget with a 415gr. boolit in my 1895 Marlin and it cuts holes. Slight trace of partially burned powder [couple grains] but accuracy is great.
LARRY


Ditto, 42-48g is what I've tried. same with some unburned powder, same accuracy.

I really only shoot plinker loads now through my nef buffalo classic, mainly 15g unique under my own 440g soft cast boolits.

[Larry Gibson]

You need to specify what make of 45/70 rifle you have. The loads vary by the strength of your rifle...Trapdoor Springfield is the lowest; then Marlin 1895/Winchester 1886; the strongest are Ruger #1 and #3 single shots.

:cbpour::redneck::Fire:

Concur with redneck, Tell us what rifle?

Larry Gibson

[EMC45]

Shot some in my Handi with 50gr. Varget and a 405gr. Lee RNFP. It hurt!

[freedom475]

If I don't use BP in my 45-70's then Varget is the powder that I use. Plenty of unburnt but it doesn't seem to affect accuracy too much.

I use 400-500gr boolits

40gr. bhind the 405 in the Sharps is real pleasant and accurate. Use it to shoot gophers..shoot 140 rounds per outing without getting sore.

Killed a buffalo with this load and a 500gr. RN, and it went right through and broke a shoulder on the way out...still had power left to raise a dust cloud half the size of the buff on the far side.

50-55 Gr.s goes in my 86 with a 405 and is not much fun at all. This load is really unpleasant in the little GuideGun.

Any more than 50gr.s with 400's and the fun will fade much sooner than the bruise:mrgreen:

[waco]

thanks for the info guys...........its a marlin1895 by the way!:castmine:

[John Boy]

thanks for the info guys...........its a marlin1895 by the way!
Waco, now it's time to buy yourself a good reloading manual