Best Powder and loads for 45/70

[steg]

I loaded a bunch of rounds with 1200, didn't try shooting for groups yet, just took it out and broke some rocks, no worries about ricochets, shooting down into a strip-mine hole, just checking for pressure. I'm loading a 405 Rn Hb, a 500 Sp fb, and a 500 Rn Fb. These are cast in Lee molds and all come out a little under the weight thet Lee claims that they will cast at.

I'm sure their is a better powder out there, but I can't afford to try too many, on the off chance that I'll find the right one, anyone have a favorite powder and load for these bullets, I'm firing them in a Ruger #3................steg

[44man]

3031 and 4759 seem to be the most accurate.

[44wcf]

Most people I shot with use 5744. I use it in my Lever and used to use it in my roller till I switched to black.
44wcf

[DLCTEX]

+1 0n 4759.

[AZ-Stew]

For smokeless, 4759 is good. If you don't mind the cleanup, Holy Black (black powder) is VERY consistent.

I bought my son a #3 right after he was born in 1976. It was one of the Ruger 200th Year Of American Liberty guns. We've shot some mighty stout loads from it. They're great if you need your skeleton re-arranged and can't afford a chiropractor.

You don't have to go that heavy. Look in the manuals, choose moderate loads and enjoy the shooting.

Regards,

Stew

[John Guedry]

I use 3031.

[steg]

I think I'm going to go with 3031,Waiting on a lyman cast boolit manual that I ordered not the fourth edition I have that on order also . I have other manuals but they date back to the mid 70's when I bought them, but I think its time to upgrade the inventory, thanks for all the input guys, I appreciate it............................steg

[Lead Fred]

When I used holy black, it was all over the place.
IMR-4895 was the most accurate, but very dirty in the barrel.
I now use Reloader 7 in my 45-70 and 30-30s and it works very well in both.

[NickSS]

I have gotten excellent results with 3031, AA 5744 and Black Powder. I used to shoot 42 gr of 3031 and a 400 gr pb bullet in a Number 3 and this was a superior load like under an inch at 100 yards in that rifle as well as a Number 1 I owned. I could only fire three shot groups without starting to grab at the trigger and open up the groups. Today I shoot a lot of 5744 for practice with 340, 400 and 500 gr bullets with from 25 to 30 gr of 5744. These are not hot loads but due shoot well and you do not need a filler.

[Buckshot]

..............I've always liked 4198 for less then full effort loads in 45-70 with heavy slugs. However the cartridge is SO easy to load for it's mind boggleing:veryconfu For lighter loads with lighter slugs Unique works great. For maxumum effort loads in strong rifles IMR3031 seems to have been made for it. Powders I've used over the years have all done very well, with some loads/boolit weights/velocities overlapping.

I've used these powders with slugs from the Lyman 292gr FNPB to the Saeco 525gr slug:

Unique
2400
5744
SR4759
IMR & H4227
IMR & H4198
IMR3031
IMR4895 and surplus 4895.

I have a TD carbine, TD Infantry, a bolt gun (MAS36), 1886 Win, & a Pedersoli Sharps chambered 45-70. I has appeared to me that good loads in one generally do pretty well in any other so long as pressure considerations also allowed their use in the TD's. But loads having done well in the TD's have also done well in the others. The 45-70 hasn't ever struck me as being a particularly tough cartridge to load for.

..............Buckshot

[steg]

Guys I appreciate all the advise, it's not that the cartridge is hard to load for, to me it's just like an oversize handgun round. I was asking for your favorite powders for the round, and you Guys came through with flying colors, thanks for all of your input...................steg

[1Shirt]

Think I have shot most of the powders that Buckshot listed, but I seem to stay with 2400 for cast for all blt weights, cause it just plain works well for me.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[excavman]

I keep it simple, Unique for light loads and 3031 for heavier, I don't much care for heavy-heavy. My Sharps shoots quite well between 1100-1500 depending on the boolit.

Larry

[Dframe]

..............I've always liked 4198 for less then full effort loads in 45-70 with heavy slugs. However the cartridge is SO easy to load for it's mind boggleing:veryconfu For lighter loads with lighter slugs Unique works great. For maxumum effort loads in strong rifles IMR3031 seems to have been made for it. Powders I've used over the years have all done very well, with some loads/boolit weights/velocities overlapping.

I've used these powders with slugs from the Lyman 292gr FNPB to the Saeco 525gr slug:

Unique
2400
5744
SR4759
IMR & H4227
IMR & H4198
IMR3031
IMR4895 and surplus 4895.
..............Buckshot

I agree with buckshot. From 150 grain collar buttons to 552 grain behemoths the 45/70 is easy to reload. I've used all the powders he has plus Trail Boss. Had fun with them all.

[August]

4759 is your huckleberry.