45-70 BFR 7.5" accuracy loads

[Ramjet-SS]

yes every gun is story unto itself.......fun trying though.

[44man]

Our loss is a powder that fits. To take a powder as good from us is a crime. Go and bash Hodgdon over it like I have.

[mcal762]

Ran a couple new loads today:

27.0 gr 2400 cci 300 r-p case

1st load 350 gr boolit 1 1/2" 1190 fps
2nd load 405 gr boolit 1/2" 1290fps

both loads has 1.5 gr Dacron to hold powder in place.

not sure why the lower velocity on the 350gr but thats what the chrony said.
Plan on doing another set of test with these loads.

2400 just might be the best powder for the BFR it's proving to be very accurate and consistant.

[mcal762]

Today's test:

405gr 27.0 gr 2400 cci 300 1265 fps gave average 1 1/2" group @ 50yds


350 gr 28.0 gr 2400 cci 300 1257 fps produced barley a 1" (inch) @ 50yds..4 shot group.

both with 1.5gr Dacron.. Burns super clean!!!'

[Ramjet-SS]

Any filler or wad under the gullet help clean the barrel on the way out.

I have have found using filler or wad will increase pressure but back the powder charge slightly and no issues I also have found using a filler or wad that my accuracy improves. Now this is with plain base bullets. I rarely use a filler with any gas check bullets. I have shot low doses of Unique with and without filler I feel albeit very subjective believe the loads with expereince increased accuracy.

I am huge fan of the mid weight (330-355 grain bullets in my big bore guns as the 45-70 and even the 480 Ruger and 475 Linebaugh.

[mcal762]

I've never used fillers until now but have not every used these types of powder in 45-70 either. I haven't used fillers with Unique and its pretty consistent on velocity and accuracy. I'm know that there are factory 45-70 loads that you can buy and hear a lot of powder shake in the case so I'm certain they are not using fillers. 2400 powder has proven to be just about the right burn rate and provides a pretty good velocity in the BFR. I know IMR 4198 can really produce some high velocity loads and low pressures but I find some unburned power.. I don't think it has any impact on accuracy when you shoot the next round.

I know one powder that my BFR does not like is AA5744.. I had high hopes for 5744 but it has dismal results....I'll have to find something else to use it in...

[44man]

You are getting some good accuracy so it is of interest anyway. I am out of 2400 so I can't try it more.
I do use Dacron with 4759 too, proved more accurate. I use garneted fiberfill to get away from those long funny strands.
My friend has the 10" BFR too and ran out of 4759 so He offered a big bottle of Jack for a pound.
Eat your hearts out!
But darn, take the gun hunting now, good enough.

[mcal762]

I've taken "Fat Boy" to the woods a few times this season but still haven't found a deer worth shooting with it at this point.. I hoping to seal the deal before the end of the season...

[Ramjet-SS]

Please post the results this has been a fun journey........

[44man]

Jack is just a super flavor. Just a little sip at a time. WOW, wish I could afford it. But there is a limit to powder I will give up.
I don't feel bad, my friends wife makes more money then he does and he makes 3X more then I did when working and I am on SS now. All he makes is for toys because expenses are paid by his wife. Yet he is hen pecked in the extreme. He comes to shoot but must be home at a certain time.
It is a mad rush as he says he must leave before this time.
I don't hold it against him, he is a great person but in all these years, I never met his wife or children.

[mcal762]

Ran cornbread's load today with 3031 38.5 gr printed 1 1/2"@50yds
velocity was 1025fps...

[Cornbread]

Seems like yours doesn't like that load as much as mine does then, every gun is different for sure. You were using same alloy, mold, lube, gas check etc? or just a 405grn cast bullet over 38.5grn of 3031?

[mcal762]

That was just a standard 405gr cast bullet over 38.5 gr.. It differently has potential, think I'm gonna bump up the charge to see if it tightens up... Thinking about 45 gr on the next test..

[Cornbread]

Definitely post back what happens when you try the next loads with it. I'd like to see where 3031 tightens up at for you, because even though my groups with it at 38.5 are good, I'm never opposed to seeing if something else makes them better.

[mcal762]

will do hope to find a little time this week to load some more test rounds with 3031.. might try 42gr and 44 gr and the 45 gr to see what loads produce the best velocity and groups. all of my loads are being loaded to the .1 of a grain with digital scale.

so far 2400 has been the best powder with the 405gr cast bullet. running 25.0gr 1.5gr Dacron and shot about 20-30 rounds of this load and it consistently produces 1.5" groups at 50yds and a velocity of 1250 fps.

[44man]

will do hope to find a little time this week to load some more test rounds with 3031.. might try 42gr and 44 gr and the 45 gr to see what loads produce the best velocity and groups. all of my loads are being loaded to the .1 of a grain with digital scale.

so far 2400 has been the best powder with the 405gr cast bullet. running 25.0gr 1.5gr Dacron and shot about 20-30 rounds of this load and it consistently produces 1.5" groups at 50yds and a velocity of 1250 fps.

Got your PM's and worked hard for you but my Frontier net has been a huge problem. I must be at one per second and the red light comes on until about 4 or later, I get no E mail or more then half a page loaded here with warnings about a time out or tech problem.
Guy is supposed to come tomorrow or the modem will meet my .50 caliber. I have lost much postings from you and me.

[mcal762]

Did a test load of 45gr of 3031 405gr cast produced 1" @50yds..
velocity was 1280fps! This is a excellent shooting load!

[Cornbread]

Did a test load of 45gr of 3031 405gr cast produced 1" @50yds..
velocity was 1280fps! This is a excellent shooting load!

Sweet! Was that load from published data or just worked up from a lesser load?

[mcal762]

I pulled the load from the IMR reloading page. It's at the bottom of the trapdoor loads.

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]BULLET WEIGHT405 GR. CAST LFP
ManufacturerIMR
PowderIMR 3031
Bullet Diameter.458"
C.O.L.2.540"
Starting Load
Grains45.5
Velocity (ft/s)1,597
Pressure17,300 CUP
Maximum Load
Grains48.5
Velocity (ft/s)1,706
Pressure21,100 CUP


[/COLOR]

[Ramjet-SS]

I just got a new Accurate mold for a 550 grain FN GC going to load it to Trapdoor levels in my Encore rifle barrel should be allot of fun.