So I decided to try some unique with 45-70 after doing some research on here. I loaded 5 rounds at 13gr and 5 at 14gr. I can say the recoil was much softer. The groupings were ok still not as good as I was looking for. The 14gr was better than the 13gr. I used a sled the steady the rifle to take me out of most of the equation. So I'm thinking of loading some more and going up in a ladder to 14.5, 15, and 15.5 since the 14 grouped better I wanted to see what y'all thought?
The hole on the top left on the 13gr pic was 2 bullets through the same hole.
Also some additional info all cases were trimmed the same length and seated/crimped the same. Coal was 2.53 at crimp groove. Bullets were Missouri coated buffalo #1 405gr and fed 210 primer.
I'd keep working up, the Marlin can take it.
The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"
Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!
Originally Posted by waksupi
Very true.
OP, May I recommend Varget if you have some laying around.
Don't have any varget have loaded from 50-55gr of 4064 and have an accurate load but the recoil is a bit unpleasant for shooting a lot of rounds. So decided to use some unique for plinking.
The marlin I had loved IMR3031.
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How was the recoil will the 3031 I have somewhere I can get some but was trying to find an accurate load with low recoil so I can do a lot of Target practice plus my 15 year old daughter wants to be able to shoot this gun and I wouldn't let her touch it with the 4064 loads I have.
I sold mine because of the kick. The 3031 kicks like a mule. But my rifle shot accurately on the higher side of the load range. Yours may be different. I never tried unique.
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this is my 4064 load shoots accurate but the recoil is far from mild. The bottom round is the first shot before I adjusted the scope.
Like one person suggested you could try varget or stick with the unique. It sounds like unique is doing what you're wanting.
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When I shot unique loads back in early CAS, I used Dacron filler to keep the powder in place. Accuracy was quite good out to 100y with iron sights.
BTW, always post distances when posting groups. At 25y I would not be impressed. At 100y, open sights, I would take either all day. I settled on 3031 for my everyday loads. If I wanted low recoil plinkers, I would probably go 2400 instead of Unique.
EVERY GOOD SHOOTER NEEDS TO BE A HANDLOADER.
NRA Cert. Inst. Met. Reloading & Basic Pistol
My normal hunting loads use Varget and a 350gr NOE gas checked boolit. Practice or plunking loads use a 405gr cast plain based Lee boolit over Unique. I’ve used 2400 with good results too but Unique is cheaper and kicks less. FWIW my wife killed her first deer with a 405gr commercial cast over 14.0gr of Unique.
Shooting was at 50 yards but with scope on a shooters rest steady aim to be exact.
There are lots of good plinking recipes for sure. Look into the 186 CB for some serious no kick plinking.
Rx7, 3031, 4064, Barget, 8208 will all give good results but indeed do kick quite a bit.
That will get you minute of deer or hog @ 100y.
EVERY GOOD SHOOTER NEEDS TO BE A HANDLOADER.
NRA Cert. Inst. Met. Reloading & Basic Pistol
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