I finally got to shoot some cast loads.

[grubbylabs]

I finally got to shoot some cast loads in my new 45-70 and it was pretty fun. The first shot and I murdered a poor innocent milk jug. I hope to be able to do some load development and fine tune but I thought a milk jug at 75 yards was pretty got for a cold turkey shot.

Is it common to have some powder residue in your barrel when using IMR 3031? I never noticed it with 4198.

[runfiverun]

3031 is slower and you are at low pressure. so i'd say in this case yep.

[grubbylabs]

So should I bump it up a little or is this not a problem other than having to clean it?

[pls1911]

I've never been pleased with 3031 in a 45-70, as I always had "burned straw" granuals left in the barrel. I believe this is primarily due to lower pressures that the 45-70 nomally produces.
Try Reloader 7 or H322 for loads through 400 grains and I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[crabo]

I finally got to shoot some cast loads in my new 45-70 and it was pretty fun. The first shot and I murdered a poor innocent milk jug.

I murdered a bowling ball at 20 yards with a 420 grain cast 45/70 going 1500 fps. It was very anticlimactic. I had it set on a plastic 55 gallon drum. When hit, it just rolled off the drum, onto the ground. Whatever they have in them to absorb impact really works.

It took 2 shots to knock the chunk out.

[grubbylabs]

I think I am going to murder:Fire: pumpkins in the next few days. Those usually do well.

Sorry about your bowling ball:(

[sundog]

That's interesting, but I think I can think of a lot of other 'reactive' targets that would be a lot safer.

[1Shirt]

Btroj and I bought an old bowling ball years back and shot it numerous times with 58 cal muskets and mini balls. Best we got was little chips, and mini's going lord knows where.
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[mroliver77]

I like 3031. Like has been said, it burns better with more pressure.

I think folks get too worked up about soot in their barrel. Some of the most accurate loads I have found were somewhat "dirty".

Being a tight wad I use faster powders for plinking/slow rounds. It takes less powder and is cheaper.

It is lot'sa fun plinking with low recoil loads in the 45-70! Round balls(or other light projectiles) over a few grains of Bulls Eye, Clays, Titewad, etc is big fun.
J