45/70 and old powders

[Finnbearman]

Hi friends,

I have a bunch of half empty cans of powder sitting around I've been given over the years and I also have a 45/70 and a nice NOE mold for it. 405gc.

I am interested in knowing if I can use any of the following powders rather than fertilizing the lawn.

Unique
2400
Bullseye
Green dot
H110
Red dot
HS5
HS6
HS7
Herco
AA12S
Tightwad

Thanks

[trebor44]

Different loads for different 45/70s e.g. original trapdoor, sharps, Ruger or other more modern production. Most reloading manuals will give data for all of the above.

[Winger Ed.]

Get a Lyman cast loading book.

It has a section for 'trapdoor' loads with several of those powders using that boolit.
With old powders, I load mild rather than wild, and the Lyman book will set up on the right path for that.

[robg]

i use 22gn of 2400 in my marlin slb

[beagle]

Lyman has all kinds of data for Unique in light loads. I have used H110 but don't recommend it. 2400's a no-brainer./beagle

[murf205]

262785This was sent to me by a member here for Unique powder. If you look down the page towards the bottom of the right hand column you will see 45/70 loads.

[Green Frog]

I’m with beagle... in your situation I’d be taking advantage of the 2400 and Unique powder loaded to levels suggested for the particular rifle (strength-wise) I was using. Use published data to find starting loads.

Froggie

[fredj338]

I have used both Unique & 2400 in light 45-70 loads, very accurate.

[3leggedturtle]

I used Unique and HS7 with a 350gr boolit for about 1100fps. Was a pussycat out of a 22" 1895. Todd/3leg

[smithnframe]

You can definitely use Unique and 2400 in the 45/70!

[sharps4590]

Why not do what Winger Ed said and invest in a Lyman cast bullet manual? It's certainly good for a lot more cartridges than just the 45-70. I don't understand the resistance folks these days have to owning multiple manuals....or for some, any manuals.

[Winger Ed.]

I don't understand the resistance folks these days have to owning multiple manuals....or for some, any manuals.

Some come to the internet for everything, real books are kind of obsolete for a lot of folks.
I'll lay out 4 or 5 manuals and peruse them like a General looking at a sand table.

[45-70marlin]

Better to get a older lyman book as the 49th edition doesn't have many of the 2400 or unique. I have the 46th edition and it has quit a few.

[Conditor22]

Welcome to cast boolits Finnbearman

there are 3 different safe loading ranges for 45/70. Unless you're intending to hunt big game use the data for the lightest loads.

Has several of the powders you list and light loads for the 405 boolit

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

I always start low and work up to an accurate load watching for overpressure signs.

[richhodg66]

I shoot 12 grains of Unique in my .45-70, nice, accurate load.

I'm betting Green Dot could work and I'm sure 2400 would as well.

[Yooper003]

I have shot a lot of loads with red dot in my cva ss 45/70. 11 to 11.5 gr. are as accurate as any load I have found. This is with the Lee 340 gr.

[Reverend Al]

"Old powders"? Wow ... you're making me feel absolutely ancient! I still reload with powders that were discontinued before I was born!

:-(

https://i.imgur.com/37NuntC.jpg

[Finnbearman]

I have a 1895 guide gun. Bunny farts are all I'm after with this for some plinking fun. Thank you for all the advise.

[Texas by God]

A powder burn rate chart will be useful to figure out how to use the less than obvious powders listed. I wouldn’t throw out any powder unless it smells wrong. The 45-70 is easy to load mild.

[richhodg66]

Lots of cast bullet data for the .45-70 including Unique. FWIW, this is the best manual for casting and shooting in existence in my opinion. http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Bullet%20Casting/Lyman%20Cast%20Bullet%20Handbook%20-%203rd%20Edition%20-%201980%20-%20Reduce.pdf