Favorite 45/70 Loads

[High Desert Hunter]

After running close to 300 rounds through my 1895GS so far this summer, I have a couple of new favorite loads, I worked them up after reading 40 Years with the 45/70. For years I have used IMR 4198, this summer has been IMR 3031 and H 4895, along with an old standby H 322. The IMR 3031 works well with both the RCBS 420gr and the Accurate 460gr WFNGC, the H4895 works very well with the RCBS bullet, so so with the WFN. As well as the RCBS bullet shoots, it will be the choice for deer season this year.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I have not done a lot of load development with my 45-70s, but I do really like Reloader 7 for my powder. My go to load lately is MiHecs 462-420 Hollow Base (392gr) boolit over 39.0grs of Reloader 7. When I have the time I plan on using the same boolit with some 2fg Goex I have on hand.

[NSB]

+1 on the Rel 7 powder in the 45-70.

[jrmartin1964]

My favorite for .45-70: Bullet: Lyman 457125, cast from WW, sized to 0.460; Lube: SPG; Wad b/w Bullet and Powder: 0.030" vegetable fiber, 0.463" diameter; Powder: 70 grains 2F Black (yes, it WILL fit); Primer: Winchester LRM; Case: R-P (nickel), flash holes uniformed to 0.096"; Seated to an Over All Length of 2.750", heavy roll crimp over front band on Bullet.

But, then I am firing these from a Model 1884 Springfield

[osteodoc08]

Reloader 7 and Varget have both worked well for me.

Plinking loads I use TrailBoss or I4227

[High Desert Hunter]

For plinking loads, I tend to use patched 454 Casull bullets and either Unique or 2400. Have killed a pile of small game with these loads.

[dh2]

I am feeding my Marlin NOE 460-405 pushed by IMR4198 and don't think that this load can really be improved on even if loading j-words

[High Desert Hunter]

I have burned more than 20# of IMR4198 in my 45/70, but one thing I will say, living here in the Desert Southwest, the temperature swings are horrible, and the extreme powders seem to keep the point of impact change to the bare minimum. For a while I was looking for more speed and was using a fair amount of H322, these H4895 loads are easier on the shoulder and are very accurate. Accuracy wise, IMR3031 has been King, but it does have more POI between summer and winter.

[GRUMPA]

I'm just starting out with the 45-70 myself. So far I've tried 3031 for the 405gr loads for a speed of 1500FPS. So far I've used 4227 for the lite collar button loads, didn't really work as I wanted it to with the collar button. Changed over to Unique for the collar button loads, 10gr of unique and those a person can classify as "Gallery Loads" easily. I've tried 35Gr of 3031 with the 405gr and accuracy didn't suffer, and neither did my shoulder for that matter.

At 100yds the NOE 405gr GC has given me a jagged hole (RESTED), very accurate. Dunno about the other ones just yet, windy as all get out this time of year, not to mention the so-called Monsoon season we get this time of year.

All my boolits are sized to .460 and PC'd (Powder coated) and a couple swipes with a patch and the barrel sparkles like new.

[TXGunNut]

Big fan of Rx7 in the 45-70 but any of a dozen powders can be used to develop a "favorite" 45-70 load. The round just isn't very picky. Last time I loaded for the 45-70 (last weekend) I used Olde Eynsford FFg under a Lyman 457193. I've loaded Trapdoor-safe loads up to loads that approach 458 WM loads and the cartridge excels at both ends of this broad spectrum as well as several levels in between.
My Guide Gun is my backup hunting rifle with warmish loads (but well under max) and it is an awesome performer on deer and the occasional big hog.

[NSB]

The 45-70s I own are the least fussy guns I've ever loaded for. Most everything shoots "good" and a lot of things shoot GREAT.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

The 45-70s I own are the least fussy guns I've ever loaded for. Most everything shoots "good" and a lot of things shoot GREAT.

Very true! I had a Marlin with a tight short chamber and an oversized micro groove bore. That gun kicked, but it shot respectably with soft cast boolits.