Anybody using Unique for 45-70 loads?

[highnoon]

I have a ton of Unique powder for my pistols. I am going to start reloading 45-70 and I was wondering if anyone had a load using Unique. I will be using Cast Performance bullets (lead, flat nose) in 405 grain and 300 grain. I will be shooting these out of my Marlin 1895. I am looking for a good hunting load for hogs and other large game and a fun-to-shoot load.

If Unique is a poor choice, I'm open to other suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[HARRYMPOPE]

yes 12g is magic with 300-405g bullets. Its my #1 45-70 powder for plinking.

[M-Tecs]

Same here. For plinking I used 10grs under a 385 cast. For hunting I would bump it up a little. No filler required.

Some more info here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?87166-Unique-45-70-Load-Data

Link to Lyman #44 free download http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/OM/Lyman44.pdf

Pics form Lyman #45

[Nueces]

The original Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook had a max load of 19.0/Unique under the hollow point 457122. When I got my early Marlin 95, I dropped that to 16.0/Unique and cast the bullets of linotype. The brittle slug acts like a varmint bullet. Man, you should see what it does to a jackrabbit.

Actually has some recoil in the light rifle, but no pressure signs. Cases were WW.

[Shooter6br]

12.5 is the "sweet "spot for my Ruger #1 350g Range Dog. Seems like a good universal load

[highnoon]

Thanks to everyone for the quick responses. They have been very helpful.

M-Tecs, Thanks for the Lyman #44 download.

Now all I need is for my brass and bullets to show up and I'll be spending time at the bench.

[rbertalotto]

12g + 405 20-1 lead = BANG / Ding!

(I use a 3/4" X 3/4" of single ply toilet paper pushed down over the powder with a pencil to keep powder against primer.....To save money, use used TP......it will also clear the benches to both sides... :bigsmyl2:

[highnoon]

12g + 405 20-1 lead = BANG / Ding!

(I use a 3/4" X 3/4" of single ply toilet paper pushed down over the powder with a pencil to keep powder against primer.....To save money, use used TP......it will also clear the benches to both sides... :bigsmyl2:

That's a pretty crappy idea. :mrgreen:

[smoked turkey]

Sounds like a #2 idea to me.

[M-Tecs]

You guys are wiping up.

[Clark]

I worked up 405 gr cast with Unique in my 45/70 handi rifle until the case head expanded and brass flowed into the extractor misfit.
Quickload thinks that is 87,000 psi 1900 fps.
I started the work up with 15 gr 25 kpsi 1300 fps

I think Unique is a very good powder for 45/70 low velocities.
I would go toward 4895 for higher velocities.

[Lonegun1894]

I used to use 10.0-12.0 grs of Unique under a Lee 450gr RNFP in a H&R BC. I am still working on a load for the Lyman 457122HP, but so far, everything shows promise, and I am starting to think Unique may get the nod for hunting deer and hogs around here with this rifle/bullet/powder combo.

[Firehand]

Just for the heck of it, tried using a 255-grain semi-wadcutter for .45 Colt, two wraps paper-patched, over ten grains; at fifty yards was reasonably accurate(for me with iron sights), and very little recoil.

[TCLouis]

10.5 with 345 and 366 grainer ought to put you in the 1100 fps range.

FUN, ACCURATE and little recoil


10. and 362 grainer holds "minute of Oak Leaf" at 106 yards off of cross sticks for me.

[smokeywolf]

I used to load 10 to 12 grains of Unique under a 385 grn. boolit for plinking in the trapdoor Springfield. Rainbow trajectory, but would ring the bell out to 200 yds. and a third of the time out to 300. That was when my eyes were young.

[rking22]

I picked up a big carton of 300 gr factory cast one time for cheap. 15gr of Unique behind them was rabbit accurate and a ball to shoot from a 22 inch handi rifle! Once took a running cottontail at about 20 yards, ate right up to the hole, and the look on my shootin buddy was priceless! Have no idea how fast they were going, really didn't matter, they shot good and probably cost less than 22LR does now. Reminds me. I need to cast some 45s.....

[EMC45]

I killed 3 deer with the Lee 405gr. RNFP over 15gr. Unique. In and out. Devastating.

[Artful]

Geez, I used too but Unique has dried up out here.

[williamwaco]

Unique is my all time favorite. Try it, you will love it.

[big bore 99]

It's all I use anymore.

[JT78]

My Marlin 1895 likes 15.5 grains unique under a 405gr boolit I started at 12gr and worked up the best groupings I had at 100 yards was with 15.5 using starline brass and federal large rifle primers.

[Drm50]

I shot a lot of Unique with cast boolit loads. Groups can be erratic with the small amounts of powder in the big 45/70 case. I always pointed gun up and bumped butt with my hand before firing. I tried paper disc and ended up using Dacron tuff. I used paper in Trap door & Rem RBs. Used Dacron tufts in 1895 with 322gr cast HP. Now shooting hot loads out of 1895 & #3 with 300gr JHPs.

[Abert Rim]

Just fell through the door here. Older thread, but 15 grains of Unique under the Lee 340-grain boolit was accurate and most pleasant to shoot.

[Dthunter]

Unique is what I shoot for the vast majority of my 45-70 shooting.

My favourite load gets me around 1300-1350 with my 450 grain flat points.
With my t/c pro hunter and short little Katadin barrel, it is all I care to push it in such a light package!
It is so easy to carry, and kills elk,bears and deer with no fuss or muss.
With a solid hit they either drop where they stood, or run 30-50 yards and pile up.

And as they say, you can eat right up to the hole!