45-70 pistol powder load hammers like a MULE!

[karlrudin]

Thanks to this thread I just bought some IMR 3031 today for my own 45-70 loads (H&R Handi rifle). Based on what I can see on QuickLOAD the pressure curve is lower and more "spread" with IMR 3031 out than the H4198 and Lil'Gun that I was trying earlier. Looks like IMR 3031 is definitely a great powder for the mighty 45-70. Definitely looking forward to trying it very soon

The 3031 really was an easy push in my test along with BL-C2, H4227. I found an easy way to tame the recoil by filling the butt stock with lead shot from 20 12 gauge shells also. Let alone putting a scope on it and a bi-pod. Just food for thought.

[wquiles]

The 3031 really was an easy push in my test along with BL-C2, H4227. I found an easy way to tame the recoil by filling the butt stock with lead shot from 20 12 gauge shells also. Let alone putting a scope on it and a bi-pod. Just food for thought.

I tried a load with 3031 yesterday (Sun) at the range, and although the recoil was strong, it really pushed me back hard - rather than the sharper hit from the other powders. Definitely prefer 3031 for a "hunting" load.

My handy has a mercury recoil reducer in the stock which does help a little as well

[karlrudin]

I tried a load with 3031 yesterday (Sun) at the range, and although the recoil was strong, it really pushed me back hard - rather than the sharper hit from the other powders. Definitely prefer 3031 for a "hunting" load.

My handy has a mercury recoil reducer in the stock which does help a little as well

Yeah, I agree with the loads out of the book or from the Hogdon website. Except mine were loaded with only 30 grains of either powder

[claude]

Anyone have any ideas about using BL-C2. Got plenty of this also.

Yes I do, I am shooting 46 grs. of BL-C2 under a 460gr WFN cast, my chrony tells me it is running between 1400 and 1425 in a five shot string. My rifle (1895 classic) weighs 7.5 lbs plus another half pound of ammo and the recoil is pushy, not snappy. I found that the starter loads I was using of 42 grs. was a little dirty, leaving unburned powder. As I stepped up the charge and pressure the burn became much cleaner.

I may attempt to go for the 1500fps mark, but recoil will determine that. At 1400fps, the 460 gr boolit will stop any animal I will encounter in my neck of the woods, no grizz here, but I wouldn't fear to use them against him in an emergency.

[foxtrapper]

Benchmark is my go to for the 45/70 and 50 ak.

[CPL Lou]

I've discovered that using a magnum rifle primer when loading IMR 3031 results in less velocity spreads, smaller groups and less fouling in the barrel.

CPL Lou

[quack1]

Adding weight and slower powders can help some, but felt recoil can be increased or decreased by stock design. The wrong stock dimensions can easily increase felt recoil by 1/2. A nice straight stock preferably with cheek piece and with a wide buttplate or pad helps decrease felt recoil. You didn't say if you are shooting off a bench, but leaning into the gun can also increase felt recoil. If you're using a bench, get the gun up higher so you can sit more vertical.
I'm pretty recoil-proof, but the worst kicking gun I ever shot was a 12 ga 3" magnum H&R single shot, while patterning it off a bench. One time was enough for me.

[Toymaker]

70 grains Goex FFg compressed 0.28 inch, cardboard wad, newspaper disk and shoot. Easy/Peezie. Or, you can use something in the neighborhood of 23 to 24.5 grains of 4759 or 5744 under that 405 grain bullet. Play with using large pistol primers versus large rifle.

[karlrudin]

Yes I do, I am shooting 46 grs. of BL-C2 under a 460gr WFN cast, my chrony tells me it is running between 1400 and 1425 in a five shot string. My rifle (1895 classic) weighs 7.5 lbs plus another half pound of ammo and the recoil is pushy, not snappy. I found that the starter loads I was using of 42 grs. was a little dirty, leaving unburned powder. As I stepped up the charge and pressure the burn became much cleaner.

I may attempt to go for the 1500fps mark, but recoil will determine that. At 1400fps, the 460 gr boolit will stop any animal I will encounter in my neck of the woods, no grizz here, but I wouldn't fear to use them against him in an emergency.

I did end up trying BL-C2 also but nowhere near your range. I'm using a Lee 405(weighs out at 416) and 29 grains of BL-C2. Grouped at 1" at 50 yards and can shoot them all day. I to had the problem of unburt powder, but not enough to worry about. I will try Magnum primers and adjust the load. Might try some filler, but haven't tried that trick yet.

[karlrudin]

Adding weight and slower powders can help some, but felt recoil can be increased or decreased by stock design. The wrong stock dimensions can easily increase felt recoil by 1/2. A nice straight stock preferably with cheek piece and with a wide buttplate or pad helps decrease felt recoil. You didn't say if you are shooting off a bench, but leaning into the gun can also increase felt recoil. If you're using a bench, get the gun up higher so you can sit more vertical.
I'm pretty recoil-proof, but the worst kicking gun I ever shot was a 12 ga 3" magnum H&R single shot, while patterning it off a bench. One time was enough for me.

I did add some lead shot in the butt stock to add some weight to a 7 lb gun, which is a ridiculous weight to me. Added a Caldwell bi-pod, left the recoil pad on that came with it and then added a slip on pad also. Rifle should be weighing in about 9.5-10 lbs now. Also I only shoot off the bench cause I'm only shooting at paper. I had forgotten about what you said about leaning into a rifle and I will elevate the bi-pod some more to get into a more vertical position. And yes mine is a Handi-Rifle and my first shootings of it were brutal. On par with a light weight 300 Winmag. I'm just so used to leaning into my other rifle(7-08 with cast bullets and it weighs 13.5 lbs) that I had forgotten how much a rifle can hurt when sitting wrong.

[karlrudin]

70 grains Goex FFg compressed 0.28 inch, cardboard wad, newspaper disk and shoot. Easy/Peezie. Or, you can use something in the neighborhood of 23 to 24.5 grains of 4759 or 5744 under that 405 grain bullet. Play with using large pistol primers versus large rifle.

I have NO experience of working with almighty black or its alternatives. Love to watch them fire and love the smell. I might get to that sooner or later. Maybe when I get done with a can of nitro. I did end up trying H4227 because I had it on hand and it worked out well along with 3031.