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

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    45/70 186gr collar button what powder to use.

    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.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    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.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
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    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
    "It aint easy being green!"

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    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.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master


    foesgth's Avatar
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    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?
    Remember the Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

  6. #6

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    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.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    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.
    Last edited by 1Hawkeye; 06-17-2021 at 10:33 PM.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    Rifles are of modern vintage and heavy enough to absorbe recoil. Modern version of 1874 Sharps and Browning 1885

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
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    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.
    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by DocSavage View Post
    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.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master

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

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check