Accurate loads for the 405 grain 45/70 in H&R HANDI RIFLE.

[vmathias]

Info needed on what you guys use for accurate loads with the 405 grain 45/70. Powder charges-primers etc... Looking to get velocities between 1400-1700fps.

[Doc Highwall]

I would try IMR 3031, 4198 for that velocity range.

[Johnch]

I use 4198

But for my rifle
I have to use a large enough boolit ( dia)
I had to go to .461 dia
I had a Lyman mold worked over to drop a .463 dia boolit

John

[runfiverun]

I have been using 22 to 25 grs of a-2400 in my 45/70's since I started loading for them.
I have never seen a reason to change.
I leave out the tuft of Dacron when I get close to 25 and use it below 24grs.

[DrCaveman]

Rx7 and varget have given me good groups with that boolit.

I think I went to about 40 gr with the rx7 and about 48 with varget. Both clocked at around 1600 fps if memory serves me.

Both loads were found in the Lyman cast bullet handbook...sorta. They are just above trapdoor level loads

[Doc Highwall]

24 grains of 2400 powder with a 400 grain bullet just about duplicates a 70 grain black powder load in a 45/70.

I would feel better using a little slower powder to get to 1700 fps. I used 48 grains of IMR 3031 powder under a 405 grain cast bullet and got good accuracy, with loads as high as 53 grains and you knew you were touching something off.