45-70 cast bullets. 350gr & 405gr

[HeavyLoad]

I just bought a Henry 45-70 18.5" bbl. and would appreciate some info.
First I have an order of 250 Oregon Trail 350gr. bullets on the way and was reading they should be kept below 1600fps. Well the only powders I have on hand is a couple pounds of H4198 & Varget. Does anyone have any data to get me at 1500 to 1600 fps using those powders? I looked at my Hodgdon manual but no data for that velocity. I'm also gonna try and pick up some RL-7 this weekend. So any load data on RL-7 would be great.
I Also have 100 405gr. bullets (non gas check)on the way and would like to keep them at around 1500/1600 fps.
Or any other recommendations on better powder choices for my goal.
Thanks Bill

[ChristopherO]

H322, IMR 3031

I'm getting intrigued with the thought of 2400, too. Good things spoken about this powder, as well.
Only use published load data.

[Edward]

24 to 26 grain 2400 is my favorite load in my Marlin 1895 with either the Lee 405g or Noe 350FP super accurate to 200 yds 1400 to 1650 fps PB or GC ,I use .5g of dacron with 2400 and get low SD with both loads .

[Lead Fred]

42gr Reloader 7 and a 405gr cast gives you about 1600fps of hell on earth

[oscarflytyer]

Lee 405 HB in front of 38.5 grns of IMR 3031 is chrono'ing 1325 fps in my 22" Marlin 1895. Flat stomped a deer at 85 yds last year. I am prob going to increase to 40 grns for ~1385-1400 fps to flatten it out just a tad, but seriously doubt it will matter.

Hodgden has Varget data iirc. Look at the minimum load for both ~350 and 400-405 grn, again iirc. I have the RD 460-360. Intend to try min to medium load of Varget, also RL 7. Lyman has data for bullets in these weight ranges also. If you look at minimum to mid-range charges, it should put you in the 1400-1600 fps range. Will give you plenty of thump at the business end and tolerable to light on the shoulder end.

One reason I like my current load of Lee 405 HB in front of 38.5 grns of IMR 3031 is that it does not stomp ME! I am sizing .460/.460 for my Marlin 1895 with micro-groove bbl. Assuming the Henry is std rifling, and slugs at .457, you should be fine sizing at .458.

[HeavyLoad]

I found some data for RL-7 & 350gr. cast. But not for an 18.5" bbl. but I think 40grs. Out of that bbl. length should put me around the 1600 mark. Problem is I can't remember if my local shop has that powder.

[waco]

2400 or SR4759 if you can find it.

[ChristopherO]

Edward, thanks for sharing that. Before noticing your post I took a load out of the old Lyman manual of 25 grains behind a 405 wfn gas checked boolit to try out. Shot the six loaded and they seemed quite nice but my chrony must be on the fritz as it showed anywhere from 1537 up to 1971fps. I am meticulous in weighing every one, too. Been having trouble with that unit lately and this confirms it. (my 44mag registered 1235 up to 2526fps afterwards)
This morning I put together 12 of the 26 grain 2400 loads to try out this weekend. Even weighed the dacron to the .5 grain, too. Looking forward to trying out your favorite loading. Wish I had a good Chrony to clock them but I will take your word on it that they should be in the 1,600 fps+ range. The Lyman book said with 28 grains it will be about that speed. That is an old book using Hercules 2400 but I happen to have 3 old cans of Hercules 2400 to use.

[HeavyLoad]

Well I was able to pick up a couple pounds of 3031 & a pound of RL-7.
i went with 46.5grs. of both powders for both the 350's & 405's.
now I just need my rifle tracking says Monday

[elk hunter]

I don't understand the 1600 FPS limit for the 350 grain Oregon Trail Bullet. I shot up 500 of them at 2000 FPS, not in a 45-70 though. Great accuracy and no leading. If it fits your barrel properly and the rifle is strong enough why limit the velocity.

[HeavyLoad]

I don't about the 1600fps for sure either. I was just going by a couple posts I found doing a search on those bullets.
i can't remember for sure but I think someone said the hardness is a 16 and are made more for the trapdoor. And another post said they should be kept below 1600fps. And one more guy said his best accuracy was at 47grs. of 3031 out of a Marlin guide gun.
So my plan is to shoot what I have loaded and see how accurate they are and check for leading.
I will say those Oregon 350's seemed like a good hard bullet but I have no way of testing the hardness. And at $67 shipped for 250ct it seemed like a good deal.
the 405's I bought off of gun broker from Kings shooter supply for $30 a 100 shipped and those are said to be 22 hardness.

[HeavyLoad]

And all I'm going to do with these cast bullets is shoot steel gongs at 200yrds. and maybe kill a few pieces of paper.
i all so loaded up some Hornady 350gr. FP behind 50grs. of h4198. And I got a good deal on GB on 3 boxes of Barnes 300gr. tsx bullets. I'll probably try one of those 2 out on deer in about 5 weeks here in Ohio.
Here's a pic of the 405

[1644]

anyone know of a source for 45/70 cast lead bullets, about 350 grains, .460 diameter. Thanks

[Bowdrie]

Ring some gongs and kill paper?
Started shooting a .45-70 over 40 years ago with a Marlin, now I use a Browning 1886 SRC.
I've found that big charges and higher velocity is certainly a waste for what you're after.
With the 405s a charge of ~25grs. of 5744 will get you around the same velocity as the original BP load without messing around with fillers or Dacron.
It's pleasant to shoot off-the-bench for many rounds without beating your shoulder.

[Pirate69]

Not sure if you got the information that you were looking. I ran the powders and boolits through QuickLoad. To be clear, I am not recommending this loads. You should look at the projected chamber pressures and what your rifle is rated. I used the closest boolet data in the QL data base for the boolits you propose to use. Results are for an 18.5" barrel.

NOE 279 grain boolet.
H4198.........40.0 grains.....1602 fps.....15,708 psi.....1590 ft-lb
Varget.........52.0 grains.....1600 fps.....15,781 psi.....1586 ft-lb
RL-7............41.0 grains.....1610 fps.....14,172 psi.....1606 ft-lb
IMR3031. ....40.0 grains.....1602 fps.....15,708 psi.....1613 ft-lb

NOE 406 grain boolet.
H4198.........39.0 grains.....1607 fps.....29,248 psi.....2327 ft-lb
Varget.........48.5 grains.....1603 fps.....27,593 psi.....2316 ft-lb
RL-7............39.0 grains.....1601 fps.....26,270 psi.....2311 ft-lb
IMR3031......45.3 grains.....1602 fps.....15,708 psi.....2314 ft-lb

Hope this helps.

[Pirate69]

anyone know of a source for 45/70 cast lead bullets, about 350 grains, .460 diameter. Thanks

If you cast, NOE 460-350-RF