45/70 186gr collar button what powder to use.

[DocSavage]

Title says it all,thinking of getting a mold from NOE but not sure what powder to use filler etc. I have Red Dot on hand thought that may work. Rifles are 1874 Shiloh Sharps and Browning 1885.

[1Hawkeye]

I've got an original ideal collar button mold and have had good groups with 6.0 grs of unique in both my shiloh sharps at closer ranges. The 1929 ideal manual listed 9 grs of 1fg black powder for the collar button.

[Green Frog]

That bullet was designed for short range practice, often indoors and at ranges of 50 feet to 25 yards. Don’t expect any long range accuracy out of them and stick with mild loads of Unique… that was their purpose.

Froggie

[1Hawkeye]

Yep just what froggie says but they sure are fun. Easy on the wallet and shoulder too. Great for practicing sight placement and trigger control.

[foesgth]

I use 8gr of Unique for my Highwall. They are very accurate at 50 yards.

I have always been curious about the black powder loads. That small dollop of powder isn't going to be much in a 45-70 case. I thought black powder needed to be compressed. I have read about loading 45 cal. round balls where they seat the ball down on the powder. Have any of you tried the bp loads?

[mehavey]

See https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/45-70-rabbit-gun.619063/post-8249077

[DocSavage]

I was thinking 10 gr Red Dot with a bit of kapok to hold the powder near the primer. Not expecting guilt edge accuracy just some light loads 5o play around with.

[1Hawkeye]

10 grs might be a little spicy. Collar buttons are fun to play with. Yea sure your not gonna pull off a shot like Billy Dixons but at 25 yards you will be impressed. I learned even 6.0 grs of unique is position sensitive and needs to be kept up to the primer.

[DocSavage]

Rifles are of modern vintage and heavy enough to absorbe recoil. Modern version of 1874 Sharps and Browning 1885

[Larry Gibson]

I suggest Bullseye. Start at 4 gr and work up in 1.2 gr increments to 6.5 gr. No filler or wad should be used.

[1Hawkeye]

Rifles are of modern vintage and heavy enough to absorbe recoil. Modern version of 1874 Sharps and Browning 1885

Yes but if you push them to fast they may start to lead up the bore.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I use 5.0 gr Red Dot. Red Dot is of low density (fluffy), and does not seen very position sensitive.