45/70 powder selection...

[j23]

Ok, my gunshop, believe it or not, just got in a shipment of powder... and lots of it. I can afford to buy about four pounds. He told me to stop over in the morning and take my pick of powders before he puts them out. I have a 30-30 I load for, (cast), as well as a 45-70... both need loads worked up. What is a good powder for which I can buy several pounds and count on it giving good groups, velocities, ect. He has several, however IMRs 3031 and 4759 stand out to me. He also has 4831, I remember seeing it on the list.

What should I get?

Basically, Id like to stock up on the 4 lbs of powder which will work well with cast lodas from both guns. The 30-30s are g0oing to use 311041 and the 45-70 will be between 400-500 grain cast, moving fairly slow. Perhaps even the 350.. mild deer and hog loads to 100 yards is all Ill be using them for.

Thanks
Joe

[rugerman1]

Alliant Powder - Reloder® 7 (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/reloder7.aspx)
http://www.alliantpowder.com/images/product_images/large/reloder_7_lg.jpg

[MtGun44]

I read a lot about how great RL-7 is for 45-70. So far I have burned 1 1/2 lbs and not
gotten one really excellent load for either my Trapdoor or Marlin GG. I also heard how
3031 was the best, even Elmer recommended it. Here, I got useable hunting accy but
nothing to write home about. Maybe 3-4" at 100 yds.

In my experience with 405 cast, 405 jbullets, 300 cast, 405 commercial, 300 jbullets and
350 jbullets I have had the best accy with Unique for low power loads and H335 for
medium hot loads and W748 for hot loads, with mag primers. For a hot load that is
still below the trapdoor limits, try 57.0 W748 under either a cast or jacketed 405.
This shoots 1-2" for 5 shots at 100 for me, runs 1750 from the GG. With a Rem 405
it almost shot thru a wildebeest on a shoulder shot, broke both and stopped under
the hide well expanded. It is amazing that it is listed as under the Trapdoor pressure
limit.

I also had a 'pfffttttt' load with RL-7 once. Pushed the cast boolit about 1/2" into the
bbl and the powder was all crispy and blackened, about half of it clumped up into a
single crumbly mess. I gave up on RL-7. Maybe I'm not smart enough to use it,
but I sure can't recommend it based on my experience.

Bill

[Mumblypeg]

Just me but I would love to have about 4lbs of IMR 3031. Its works great in both my 30-30s and 45-70s.

[jdgabbard]

How about going with what that caliber was made for...Black ;)

[Cowboy5780]

Use the 3031 works great in my guide gun and Uberti, 4831 is good too but i get better groups with the 3031

[shooter93]

3031 or VV 135

[wiljen]

H322 and Varget

[waco]

3031, h335, varget, and dont forget imr4198!

[Slow Elk 45/70]

I use or have used all three in 30/30 150-160gr and 45/70 300-405gr in Marlins and Winnies quite a bit.

I have good loads with 3031 , 4198 and RL-7. Most of my shooting loads are for game animals

If I was buying just 1 powder for both , I would go with 3031 , I personally shoot more RL-7 these days , just my preference , than the other 2

[jack19512]

I can only comment on the 45/70. I really like 4198, real good accuracy out of my Marlin 1895 CB.

[j23]

...and thats being said... as I mentioned, I kind of get a first chance to buy (sounds like Im going with 3031 for kind of a universal cast powder for both...) does anyone somewhat local need anything??

I will be at the :redneck: Washington County, PA gun show this weekend, if anyone wants a can or two (or three...) let me know, Ill pick it up and bring it with me. No mark up, promise. :razz:

[Larry Gibson]

4895 serves me well in both the 30-30 with 311041 from 1700 to 2200 fps. In the 45-70 4895 excells with loads from trapdoor level using 400-500 gr bullets up through top end loads in my 45-70 Siamese mauser that rival 458W magnum loads. I would get 4895 and not look back.

Larry Gibson

[JDL]

4895 is hard to beat!
JDL

[Old Ironsights]

I use 2400... but then, I'm careful and don't hotrod (BP equivelent velocities)

[High Desert Hunter]

I like IMR4198, Unique, and H322 in my 45/70(when I'm not shooting Black). Unfortunately I don't own a 30-30.

[John Guedry]

I use 3031 in my Handi and trapdoor.

[Crazy4nitro]

IMR3031 IMO

60gr of 3031 with a Mag Primer under a 300gr JHP nets me 1990's avg. when thrown over my Chrono in MY GUIDE GUN.

47gr under a 405gr Cast Boolit nets me 1550's avg all day long.

It dont seem to meter the best as it is a Stick Powder..BUT I dont sweat over .1 of a grain here or there....

I load 3031 in my 30-30,.45-70 and my .30-06

'Nitro

[mpmarty]

Another often overlooked powder for 45/70 is H-4831. Back when I had a Martini Henry 450/500 re chambered to 45/70 I used a scoop that would fill the case to the bottom of the boolit and that load was flat accurate with 500 gr. cast boolits. It left a bit of powder residue with the 300gr Jbullets but then I didn't shoot those much due to cost.

[jnovotny]

Just got my own 45-70 and have looked at a lot of load books. Going to start with what is on my bench for now. Varget, and IMR 4891. Let you know how that works out.

[WHITETAIL]

j23, Welcome to the forum!:coffee:

[WHITETAIL]

What I've found was IMR 3031 for the 30-30.
And IMR 4198 for the 45/70.
Both work well with a cast boolit.:cbpour:

[keeak]

I shot a ton of RL7 in 30-30 with outstanding results, but never have loaded of 45-70. I have one, just don't shoot it enough to worry about loads.