45-70, 405gn Hardcast, Reloder 7

[Bullzye]

Hi.

I have used the search feature, but the data is all over the place, so if no one minds...

I am loading up TRAPDOOR LEVEL loads for my Marlin 1895 using the powders I have on hand. I found the published load data for my Hodgdon powders but the Reloder 7 is only listing jacketed stuff, and my search on forums is showing hunting and bruising level loads with the RL7.

Not hunting with them, just target work out to 100 yds. I want to chrono these and keep future loads in the no pain to shoulder range so we will enjoy shooting the 45-70. (Me, the bride and our adult son will be shootin')

Does anyone have a RL7 load for the 405gn hardcast that will be in the 1300-1500fps range? Or one you have that is mild on the soft parts?

Thanks for any input!

[1Shirt]

Think if you try 2400 in weights of someplace between 18-22 grains you will probably find a winner. Not hard on the shoulder and cheap enough.
1Shirt!

[farmerjim]

Try here. 3/4 down page.
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45-70&Weight=All&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source

[Jailer]

30gr of IMR4198 gives me around 1340 FPS out of my 18 inch SBL.

[Hyphenated]

You can start at 30grs and work up to 37grs for the speeds you stated. My Hodgdon manual says 37gr equals 1469fps with J-words in a Marlin 1895. BTW RL-7 is a very good powder for all the Hyphenated rounds.

However, like 1Shirt stated, 2400 works well too. I shoot 23grs of 2400 with a 405gr cast for 1250fps.

[DrCaveman]

My data at 40 gr rx7 shows 1527 fps, and it kicks pretty darn hard in my handi rifle. Not what you're looking for, I think.

Lyman cast boolit handbook only goes down to 37 gr for that kind of boolit, but pressures, velocities, and probably recoil are higher than starting loads for most other powders listed. Imr 4198 and Varget seem to be the winners for what you are looking for, and my experience was that Varget kicked a bunch less than rx7 at the same velocity.

If you can't access other powders and want to try rx7 super low, you might try a Dacron filler. Supposed to work well with powders in that speed when loaded to low density. I haven't tried this so hopefully others who have will chime in.

FWIW I loaded 15 gr Unique last week, got 1241 fps average and a mellow shooting round. A bit more punch than 12.5 gr, lets you know you're shooting a 405 gr boolit, but could be done all afternoon. Didn't test it at 100 yds but it could prob be made to work.

[Nobade]

Some results of Re7 in a trapdoor:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?185326-Trap-door-blow-up

-Nobade

[Larry Gibson]

My suspicions on that TD blowup is it was caused by "pilot error", either way too much RL7 or more likely from the damage shown, a bore obstruction.

I've use quite a bit of RL7 under 385 - 413 gr cast bullets for use in my own TDs. I suggest you start at 30 gr, use a 1 gr dacron filler and work up in 1 gr increments to 1400 fps. The 1873 service 405 gr loads ran an actual 1300 - 1350 fps or so out of the longer barreled TDs. So at 1400 fps out of your M1895 you will be at the top end of TD loads and approaching the top end of the SAAMI MAP for TD loads. However, your M1895 Marlin will certainly handle more than that but I think you'll fine excellent accuracy in the 1300 - 1400 fps range.

Larry Gibson