Uberti 1885 Hiwall 45-70 load.

[littlejack]

Just for your information. I went to the range today and took along my 45-70. I switched to smokeless powder here a few weeks ago. It likes IMR 4198 powder. I'm shooting a Government bullets cast with ww's +2% tin. The powder charge is 31 grains and a col of 2.810.
Velocity is as follows.
Lo 1333
Hi 1384
Ave 1362
es 50.94
sd 20.32
Jack

[405]

The numbers look OK. Now, for the next important test. Accuracy and leading?

[montana_charlie]

Just for comparison...

I haven't been using my Chrony much, lately, so I don't have any recent results.
When I do use it, I don't care much about velocity. My goal is to get the load consistent enough to produce single-digit ES and SD numbers.
The only bullet I did extensive work on while using the Chrony was a 560 grain PJ Creedmoor in my 45/90 loads.
The best results extracted from that series of notes looks like this...

79 grains Goex Cartridge:
1.4" X 1.75" group with impact centered, and 2 inches high. No discernable flyer.

Chrony: LO-1161, Hi-1171, Av-1167, ES-9.78, SD-4.00

Performance similar to previous results with this load.


82 grains Goex Cartridge:
Fairly compact 2" X 1.8" group with one (hi) flyer, impact centered and 2 inches high.

Chrony: LO-1182, Hi-1193, Av-1190, ES-10.50, SD-4.79

Useful load, may shoot better after matching globe insert to bullseye diameter.

I never had access to a chronograph back when I was loading ammunition with smokeless powders. I don't even know if ES and SD numbers in the single-digit range is possible with them.

[littlejack]

I don't get any leading. The accuracy is acceptable for me. I switched the front insert from a circle target aperature to a post for hunting. I figured I may want to shoot a deer with it this year. After adjusting the rear sight, the rifle shot the last 3 shot group with me holding the forend on the bags into the 2" bull at 100 yards. According to the ballistic calculator, it drops 21" at 200 yards. I can deal with that.
Jack

[montana_charlie]

According to the ballistic calculator, it drops 21" at 200 yards. I can deal with that.

At the muzzle velocity you posted, I would expect to need an elevation increase of about 11 points (11 inches) above the 100 yard zero.

I only say this to encourage you to try it at 200 before you 'set it and forget it' based on the calculator's estimate.

CM

[Gunlaker]

I never had access to a chronograph back when I was loading ammunition with smokeless powders. I don't even know if ES and SD numbers in the single-digit range is possible with them.

I believe you can get pretty close. The other day I was sitting beside a guy shooting .308 with really hot loads (he popped a couple of primers!). He was getting ES in the 12 to 15fps, which I'd never heard of with smokeless. But then what do I know. He was shooting 3 shot clover leafs at 200 yards.

When I use the chrony with smokeless, it's mostly to check that something isn't seriously wrong with the load pressure wise. I had an issue like that once with reloder7 where I had max vel at the starting charge.

Chris.

[littlejack]

The last loads that I sited at 100 yards and then shot at 200 yards using the ballistic calculator, worked very well. They were of the black powder kind. The calculator was within a couple inches on its POI of the bullets. I will still go out and practice more befor this season. I will know what that 520 grainer is doing out to the 200 mark.

When I loaded the rounds, I did NOT weigh each powder charge as I normally do. The IMR 4198 does hang up in the RCBS Uniflow meter. I DID all of the charges the same way. Up, two taps, down without hangup, then botton out with two taps. I don't pay much attention to the es and sd in my loads. I am not shooting in competition and do not think it is necessary in my case.
Jack

[Gunlaker]

The last loads that I sited at 100 yards and then shot at 200 yards using the ballistic calculator, worked very well. They were of the black powder kind. The calculator was within a couple inches on its POI of the bullets. I will still go out and practice more befor this season. I will know what that 520 grainer is doing out to the 200 mark.

When I loaded the rounds, I did NOT weigh each powder charge as I normally do. The IMR 4198 does hang up in the RCBS Uniflow meter. I DID all of the charges the same way. Up, two taps, down without hangup, then botton out with two taps. I don't pay much attention to the es and sd in my loads. I am not shooting in competition and do not think it is necessary in my case.
Jack

Just curious. What ballistics calculator did you use and what did you use for a BC for your bullet?

thanks,

Chris.

[littlejack]

I went over to the Handloads.com site. At the top of the page it says ballistic calc. I used .400 for the BC, as It is listed in one of my books.
Jack