45-70, 340 gr load data

[mkm]

First post here. Wondering if anybody is loading 340 gr cast for 45-70? If so, any load data you can share? I have Reloder 7, Unique and Bullseye on hand. I read where some people are using Unique and Bullseye for 45-70. Will be shooting in NEF Handi-Rifle. Thanks in advance.

[nhrifle]

I guess it would depend on what you are trying to do with it. For a good stout load, I'd go with the Reloader 7 starting around 45 grains. Always look for pressure signs. If you can get your hands on some, Varget works great, 50 to 54 grains should do nicely. My favorite smokeless powder in that caliber has to be XMP5744, one of the best powders out there for cast in the larger bores.

[mkm]

Thanks for the info. I was looking for a mild recoil load for punching holes in paper.

[GH1]

If mild loads are what you need then Trail Boss is your powder. Works great!
GH1

[TCLouis]

10.5 grains of Unique will give about 1100 fps.

Found to be accurate also.

Some will say oh, but it can be loaded to 1800 fps so why settle for 1100fps.

Cause it was very accurate at that loading, because I want to and . . .

I certainly would not want to be in front of 340 grains of lead moseying along at 1100 fps.

By the by, my 340 grain boolit is what results from casting my alloy from and RCBS 45-325 mold, same for the Lee 340.

I shot loads up to 15.0 of Unique, but 10.5 is what my gun liked and precision is king as long as the minimum velocity is in the effective load range.

16.2 - 18.2 grains of 10B101 just keeps getting more accurate with each increase in powder with 340s. 18.2 loading is accurate with my 340s and even more so with RD's 350.

Further load testing with those combinations called on account of darkness.

I need to Chronograph any further loads to see when I'm getting close to Max Load.

[nhrifle]

I havn't loaded with Unique so I can't comment on that load but it sounds right. Trail Boss is excellent stuff, takes up alot of case space and burns nicely. Careful tho, I've had it bridge in my powder measure a couple times. Never heard of anyone else having that problem with TB so it may just be me.

Some of the best powder/boolit combinations I've ever tried have been with components not even listed together. Do lots (and I do mean lots) of research, ask questions, and start trying things sensibly according to powder burn rate. Thats how I have gotten alot of load data for my 300 BLK, for which there isn't much in the way of published data. Whatever you do don't rush the process and be smart about things.

[d garfield]

I have used Unique and it works good. You can go up to about 15grns. but watch what you are doing.Nice mild load.

[mkm]

That's for all the info. I will try unique and get some trail boss to try.

[wmitty]

If you're planning on using the Lee 340 gr in a Marlin better prepare to beagle the mould or paper patch. My lee 340 gr is casting about .003" under groove dia.

[bobthenailer]

Saeco #017 350 gr fpgc , 31gr 5744 powder has shot well from a few 45/70 rifles for me.

[zuke]

I like 16-18 grain's of Trail Boss under a 330 HP PP boolit.

[rintinglen]

I have shot hundreds of RCBS 45-325U that usually weigh in at 338 grains plus or minus. I use 20 grains of 2400 with a filler and get excellent accuracy and it metters well. I have loaded it hotter, but I am usually shooting paper, and hotter usually means more recoil and less fun.

[curator]

Let us know if you can get your rifle to shoot that boolit accurately. Its way too small to shoot well in my Handi. As cast diameter from my 2 Lee .457-340 moulds is .458. Despite the same groove diameter on my Handi's barrel, nothing under .461 shoots worth a hoot. That is no doubt to the short but large throat that measures .461 on mine. YMMV.

[adrians]

10.5 grains of Unique will give about 1100 fps.
Found to be accurate also.

Some will say oh, but it can be loaded to 1800 fps so why settle for 1100fps.

Cause I want to and, . . .

I would not want to be in front of 340 grains of lead moseying along at 1100 fps. well said sir,,,:drinks:

[Shooter6br]

Unique 12.5 with 350 g Ranchdog.

[GH1]

Let us know if you can get your rifle to shoot that boolit accurately. Its way too small to shoot well in my Handi. As cast diameter from my 2 Lee .457-340 moulds is .458. Despite the same groove diameter on my Handi's barrel, nothing under .461 shoots worth a hoot. That is no doubt to the short but large throat that measures .461 on mine. YMMV.
I suspect My Handi is the same way. It shoots OK, but I get a fair amount of leading with a .459" bullet. My load is 30 gr AA 5744 under a 405.
GH18-)

[mkm]

Let us know if you can get your rifle to shoot that boolit accurately. Its way too small to shoot well in my Handi. As cast diameter from my 2 Lee .457-340 moulds is .458. Despite the same groove diameter on my Handi's barrel, nothing under .461 shoots worth a hoot. That is no doubt to the short but large throat that measures .461 on mine. YMMV.

I am planning on casting some this weekend to try. I was wondering about the dia. when I bought the mold, but figured the actual dia. would be slightly larger than .457. I wasn't planning on running them though the sizing die.

[Nobade]

Lots of RCBS 45-325-FN-U go down range from my Marlin powered by 19gr. 10B101. Pretty much the same effect as Blue Dot.

And yes, the Lee 340 will likely not shoot well in a Handi unless you paper patch it. Then they're quite impressive.

[mkm]

Cast some boolits today and they are measuring .460 to .462. I'm going to pan lube and load some to see what they will do.

[Nobade]

Great! You got a big one, just perfect. Hope it works well for you.