45/70 light plinking load, need help

[tejano]

I am trying to develop a 50 yard plinking load, preferably subsonic, for my Marlin 1895 Guide gun. Since I am not a caster I purchased 190 gr. bullets (NOE #460-190) from Western Bullet Co. Been to the range twice working with Bullseye. Started with 8.0 gr. and it was 2-3” with some fliers. Today, I tried 4, 5, and 6 grains. None were as good 8 gr. Anyone here already been down this road with this bullet? Should also note that the Marlin is set up in the Scout configuration with a 3X pistol scope that provides a good view at 50 yards.

[BoolitBill]

I use a 220 grain NOE mould(cast my own). I use 11 grains of Trail Boss and am very happy with this load. My daughter used to dislike my Marlin 45/70 because of recoil, but with this load she can shoot it all day. I think you could use your 190 with this load safely.

[tejano]

Have TrailBoss on hand so I will try it. Thanks.

[sukivel]

You might as well start casting…


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[Larry Gibson]

I've been down that road. Found with bullets lighter than 250 gr (with one exception) even Bullseye in the large volume 45-70 case does not ignite and burn efficiently until 8 gr + is used. That usually pushes a lighter bullet too fast and trans-sonic. I use 8 gr of Bullseye under a Rapine 460250 (270 gr) for 1050 fps and excellent interior and exterior ballistics.

The exception is the Rapine 460210 gr bullet. It is basically a WC with a slightly domed nose and a very deep HB. Seated almost flush with the case mouth it eats up a lot of volume. I use 6 gr of Bullseye under it for right at 1000 fps. Makes an excellent small game/vermin load. It's the left bullet. Unfortunately, Rapine has been out of business for some time.

[tejano]

Thanks Larry.

[tejano]

You might as well start casting…


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71 year old dog here. Learning a new hobby probably isn’t going to happen.

[725]

My favorite plinker is a .457 round ball (they sell 'em) and 9 grains of Unique. Standard primer, no filler, set the ball half circumference into the mouth of the case, and go have some fun.

[tejano]

My favorite plinker is a .457 round ball (they sell 'em) and 9 grains of Unique. Standard primer, no filler, set the ball half circumference into the mouth of the case, and go have some fun.

Yeah, I will probably try round ball loads as well sooner or later. Thanks.

[725]

tejano -- I originally ran that out of a long barrel and it was accurate and enough to do small game. Very quiet! For a short barrel, I 'd play around with the powder load. slight variations will change it.

[tejano]

My only other 45/70 is a Browning BPCR that I purchased new more than 20 years ago. 30” barrel.

[Larry Gibson]

Tejano

If you try the RBs lube them with LLA and let dry. A light coat is all that's needed. When I used RBs in the 45-70 I also used Bullseye. I used fire, unsized cases simply deprime/reprime and charge with powder. I then used a dowel to push the RB own on top of the powder. A mark on the dowel (actually a muzzle loader "short starter") ensured consistent seating depth. Start at 4 gr BE. I found best accuracy out of TDs was in the 800 fps range. They worked well but an actual cast bullets always were better.

[tejano]

Thanks again Larry.