[Quaticman]

Hi guys I'm new to reloading the 45/70 cartridge for my 1895 Cowboy. I was thinking that 50 grains of IMR 3031 behind the Remington 405 grain JFP would be a nice accurate "plinking load" for punching paper and ringing gongs. You're thoughts?

 

[Grunt69]

LoadData lists 38.5 gr of 3031 as the max load for a 405 cast. I'm certainly not an expert, but I'd check the 50 gr load with a few sources.

 

[Quaticman]

The Hodgdon reloading manual gives a range of 48.0 to 53.0 grains of IMR 3031 when used with a 405 grain jacketed bullet. I thought 50 grains would be a good start.

 

[keyston44]

I don't use that powder or shoot jacketed bullets in my 45-70 so I can't tell you if that is an accurate load. But my Lyman # 49 lists 46.0 starting load and max of 51.5 gr of IMR3031 with a Remington 405 gr JSP so I do know it would be safe. Looking at the loading manual I wouldn't consider it a "plinking" load though.

Key

 

[c.t.smith]

yea that load will have some thump. I use 40-45gr of 3031 behind cast 420gr bullets as a everything load.

 

[Bronco Archer]

That ain't no plinking load, for sure.

 

[Bronco Archer]

The buffalo were virtually eliminated with loads around 1300 fps. Anything over 1500 fps is serious medicine for anything that breaths. 50 grains of IMR3031 puts you over 1700 fps. I feel a plinking load would be something that saves on powder and would be something you could let your daughter shoot. This is a load that you definitely do not want to let a smaller statured shot unless they are very experienced. 16 grains of Unique behind a 405 grain bullet moving around 1200-1300 fps would be a plinking load in my book.

Keith

 

[rob42049]

We load 44 to 46 grains of IMR3031 behand a 405 grain Rem SP,and it's a thumper on both ends,suitable for any North American game animal. Some guys use less,and that's fine,too. 50 grains is a T-Rex killer. The old Elmer Keith load was 52 grains IMR3031,and it was HOT,intended for an 1886 Winchester,which is stronger than a Marlin action.
Start low and work your way up. Safety first.

Rob

 

[swany]

You want plinker loads for a 45-70 used cast, jacketed is expensive. Good place for data is here Lever Gun Performance Studies

Scroll down on the left side to 45-70 then click on your bullet wgt.

I've found a good light load with jacketed is 33 grains of Alliant Reloader 7 with a 300 grain jacketed bullet.




CAUTION DO NOT USE Accurate Arms 7 THIS IS A FAST BURNING PISTOL POWDER

 

[444Hal]

I do concur with everybody. Around 50grs of 3031 is good, but I wouldn't call it a plinking load.
45 puts it at the top of the black powder level, so my books say.

 

[Chigger]

Well in my 1895 I use 50 gr of 3031. There are a couple of bison and couple of cow elk will tell you if they were here it is a fine load. I am 1 inch high at 50 yards and 3 inches high at 100 yards and dead on at 150 yards. I am using the 405 Remington soft point and have yet to retrieve a bullet. 46 grains of 3031 is what I plink with in my Sharps or the 1895, but the 50 gr load its really not that hard on you. I am 65 and all my joints stay in place when I shoot this load.

 

[SgtDog0311]

My teeth are lose already

 

[Quaticman]

Thanks guys for all of your comments.