VV N340 in .45-70: should I use a filler?

[earshot]

Hello everyone.
I'm new this forum although I have been reading here for quite a while.
When searching the internet for some information about a load for a .45-70 with pistolpowder, I came across this link: http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm
I decided that I want to try 12 gr. of VV N340 in combination with a Lee .458/405gr. and a Federal LR primer.
Never having loaded the .45-70 with pistolpowder before, I need to know if I should use some sort of filler? I have loaded 3 test-rounds of which I filled empty space with crepe-paper, so that the powder stays at the bottom of the case but I'm not sure if it could harm the gun.

Also, I want to share my current load for my Browning 1885: 36gr. VV N140 with a 405 gr gaschecked RCBS 405 gr.
Most accurate combo that I have shot since I got the gun in 1996.

Regards,
Earshot (The Netherlands)

[Chicken Thief]

No need for filler.
Quickload says that it is a 38% filling.
Max. pressure is @1100bar and speed is around 330m/s (for a 25" barrel) +- some meters because i dont know your barrel length.

[earshot]

Thanks for your reply!

BTW: a completely filled R-P case holds about 46.8 gr. of VV N340. I guess that would be a ~ 25% fill or do you have to exclude the space that would be taken up by the bullet?

[Larry Gibson]

I also would not use a filler with N340 as it is a little on the fast burning side. I've not used N340 in the 45-70 but with any such powder I would not "decide" on a load but start a bit lower, such as the 10 gr as listed as "starting" on that site, and work up to the 12 gr you've selected or even the 14 gr "max" of N340 that site lists under a similar cast bullet........much safer that way.

Larry Gibson

[earshot]

Well, I tried the 12 grain load yesterday and me and the gun are still in one piece! I checked the barrel after every round just to make sure but all 405 grain boolits made it to the target 25 meters away. Phew.
Nicest group of the evening were some rounds loaded with Pyrodex CTG and the same boolits from pure soft lead. 2" Group from a distance of 25m for 13 rounds (fired standing) for me is outstanding. I normally only shoot from prone at 100m.

I'm gonna keep testing the VV N340 over the next couple of weeks to see how they perform on 100m.

Rgds.