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Thread: Unique 45-70 Load Data

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Unique 45-70 Load Data

    Hey all, I've put together a nice load using unique with a 405gr cast boolit. I'm running 14.7grs of powder with a kleenex filler.

    I've been thinking about putting together some 350gr and 420gr or 450gr loads with this powder and not really sure where to start. I'd like to keep the velocity's in the 1200fps with the heavier stuff and a little faster with the 350s range with a Marlin 1895 22inch barrel. Looking for something I can target shoot and hunt game with. There really isn't much data out there for caliber and unique. Thanks for your input.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master sagacious's Avatar
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    Do you have a handloading manual? Lyman #47 lists Unique data for 45-70 400gr, 420gr and other weights up to 500grs in the velocity range you indicate.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
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    This is in excess of what Trapdoor pressures are held to, only appropriate for Marlins and stronger:

    16.0 Unique 405 Lee cast flatbase sized .460, 22 inch Marlin, 1260 fps. FWIW.

    Skip the filler with Unique. It is not needed as in these charge weights in this 45-70 case as it is not that position sensitive

  4. #4
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by sagacious View Post
    Do you have a handloading manual? Lyman #47 lists Unique data for 45-70 400gr, 420gr and other weights up to 500grs in the velocity range you indicate.
    That's interesting, I have the lastest Lyman manual and there isn't any data listed. I have to look for Lyman #47.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Lyman's 45th lists this load for an even heavier bullet, but in the interest of prudence and current data (see the other edition's pressure tested data before the 49th edition) 405 grain cast bullets are most relevant.

    Although velocities are fairly low, pressures are not as low as some of those loads obtaining similar velocities with powders like 4198 and RL 7.

    The 45-70 behaves most like an overgrown pistol cartridge when loaded with Unique and the 405. Pressures peak when the bullet is still partially within the case, most likely.

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
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    Any of you guys willing to take a picture of the load data in these manuals?

  7. #7
    Boolit Master sagacious's Avatar
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    Here's some Unique data. Source: Lyman #47
    45-70 data for 1886 Winchester and 1895 Marlin only.
    400gr #2 alloy
    Unique 13.7grs start 1154fps 17100cup
    Unique 16.5grs MAX 1286fps 27300cup
    No fiber wad or filler is designated for this recipe.

    420gr #2 alloy
    Unique 11.0grs start 1006fps 16800cup
    Unique 13.5grs MAX 1163fps 27200cup
    Use 1/2gr polyester fiber wad 5/8"square x 1/4" thick over the powder.

    .................................................. ...................

    45-70 data for Ruger No.1 and No.3 only.
    385gr #2 alloy
    Unique 10.0grs start 939fps 10300cup
    Unique 17.5grs MAX 1411fps 38500cup
    Use 1/2gr polyester fiber wad 5/8"square x 1/4" thick over the powder.

    420gr #2 alloy
    Unique 13.5grs start 1113fps 22800cup
    Unique 16.5grs MAX 1275fps 38200cup
    Use 1/2gr polyester fiber wad 5/8"square x 1/4" thick over the powder.

    451gr #2 alloy
    Unique 11.0grs start 950fps 17100cup
    Unique 15.2grs MAX 1209fps 40000cup
    Use 1/2gr polyester fiber wad 5/8"square x 1/4" thick over the powder.

    Don't bother looking for Lyman #48, Lyman #47 has much more cast bullet data.
    Hope this helps, good luck.
    Last edited by sagacious; 06-25-2010 at 03:44 PM.

  8. #8
    Boolit Mold
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    thanks brother, that helps a ton!

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    I'm with 35Remington on the position sensitivity. I shot some 45-70's using round balls and 9 grains of Unique and had consistent ignition and excellent accuracy.

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    anyone have any data using any of the Lee cast boolits and unique, or 3031.............steg

  11. #11
    Boolit Mold
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    Something very strange I've been experiencing with my load of 14.7grs unique and 405 cast bullet is key holing. The even stranger part is with a key holing bullet its still flying the same flight path as the bullets that don't keyhole. Anyone have any ideas?

  12. #12
    Boolit Master Maven's Avatar
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    BIG45-70, The late Frank Marshall, Jr. of the CBA recommended a charge of 13 grs. of Unique with any of the CB's you mentioned. I tried it in my Marlin #336/1895 and was very pleased with its performance.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
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    Big45-70, did you weigh the boolits before loading them? possible inclusions in them that you don't see. Does this ever happen with any of your other loadings, ie different weights, different powders. When you say the same flight path do you mean that their grouping with the other rounds, or kind of in the same vicinity?.................steg

  14. #14
    Boolit Mold
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    I don't know if you're stuck on using Unique. If not, try Trail Boss. I load a 355 gr boolit under 14 gr of Trail Boss, no filler. Gives me 1200 fps with an extreme spread of 17 fps. Great powder for cowboy style loads, or duplicating black powder loads.

    There's data on Hodgdon's website for boolits up to 485 grains.

  15. #15
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by steg View Post
    Big45-70, did you weigh the boolits before loading them? possible inclusions in them that you don't see. Does this ever happen with any of your other loadings, ie different weights, different powders. When you say the same flight path do you mean that their grouping with the other rounds, or kind of in the same vicinity?.................steg
    I haven't weighed the bullets, I do get them from bulletbarn.com (good guys and very reputable up here in canada) The key holes are grouping with my other shots (within 2 inches and 100 yards)

    I don't recall ever getting a keyhole before, I've used imr4198, varget and Reloader 7 and nothing in the past. I like unique mainly for cost, I've ran through about 300 rounds with my1lb container and its still have full, I do plan on giving trailboss a try when I can find it.

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy sixpointfive's Avatar
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    ANy data for unique and a 340 grain bullet?

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    I use 15.0 ~18.0 grains of Unique with a 340 grain cast bullet--very accurate in my Marlin

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy sixpointfive's Avatar
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    Please tell me what the diameter of the bullet and whether you use fillers or not on top of powder.

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy sixpointfive's Avatar
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    Also what type of lube? I usually use the lee tumble lube

  20. #20
    Boolit Master Maven's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    sixpointfive, 13gr. Unique (no filler or dacron tuft) + Felix Lube on the 340gr. CB sized to .459" for my Marlin.

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