[longshotz]

Gathering data on reloading cast bullets in 350 and 400 gr. sizes, principally with H-4198 and RL-7. May get some 3031 in the deal also.Anticipate hunting the big stuff here in BC; moose from 600 lbs and up to 1300, elk from 400 to 900 lbs., so lets hear of some tried and proven (safe) smoker loads for the 45/70.
I have been reloading for about 45 years so the "start low and work up to" procedure is standard practice. Essentially what I am looking for is some warmer starting loads up to some full meal deal stuff. Of equal interest is the accuracy to 150m. If you've got some real life experiance with bullet terminal performance on larger critters, including photos and recovered bullets, please send it along.
Thanks people

 

[1895Gunner]

A great place to start would be to perform a search in the "reloading" thread folder. You'll find ton's of info there on the 45/70.

 

[Bob Hatfield]

Go to the Hogdon reloading web site and you will find infro on your H-4198 powder and those bullet weights you mentioned.

 

[findrichard]

If you are buying cast bullets visit www.beartoothbullets.com No better cast bullet on the market, and a great owner willing to give plenty of good advise for his bullets and the 45-70.

 

[longshotz]

If you are buying cast bullets visit www.beartoothbullets.com No better cast bullet on the market, and a great owner willing to give plenty of good advise for his bullets and the 45-70.

I have heard of Beartooth bullets and not having had the pleasure of using the product or speaking to staff I have only read of good stuff from them. Unfortuneatly until your federal government allows us north of the 49th to purchase shooting stuff without a mountain of paperwork and a 2nd mortgage on the house to pay for the permits, not to mention restrictive legislation on folk like Beartooth to export firearms, ammunition, accessories etc., we here in Canada have to make do with limited selection. Beartooth bullets proboboly will never happen here. That is a pity.

 

[gunlaker]

I have heard of Beartooth bullets and not having had the pleasure of using the product or speaking to staff I have only read of good stuff from them. Unfortuneatly until your federal government allows us north of the 49th to purchase shooting stuff without a mountain of paperwork and a 2nd mortgage on the house to pay for the permits, not to mention restrictive legislation on folk like Beartooth to export firearms, ammunition, accessories etc., we here in Canada have to make do with limited selection. Beartooth bullets proboboly will never happen here. That is a pity.

I mostly use Bullet Barn 405gr gas checked bullets (made in B.C.) in my Marlins. Lyman's 49th has plenty of data for them.

Lyman's is my favorite manual for .45-70 loading. Lots of cast bullet data.

Chris.

 

[Crusty Deary Ol Coot]

longshotz,

Bear in mind I an working with a RUGER #1, so my loads may be a bit high for your use.

With your experience in loading that shouldn't be an issue.

On 3031, I ran into case capacity issues before I got to max listed loads.

At present, I have not, as yet, found the sweet spot for my rifle as per groups. However, the best groups I have to this point was with 3031. 54gr. behind a 355gr LBT/WFN.

Sorry, must have run out of good light or something, as I'm missing the velocity info on that whole series of tests.

My guess on velocity is 1600 - 1800fps.

My go to load for hunting this past Fall was with RL #7 - 55gr. behind the LBT boolit.

The following is strange! I have seen velocities go "funny" when reaching presure levels close to max but that was not the situation in this case.

53gr of RL #7 gave an average vel. of 2506fps for 5 shots.
54gr gave an average of 2340fps.

And the 55gr gave 2290fps.

A poster over on Cast Boolit forum says he has seen this happen, but it is a first for me.

I am hearing from a number of directions, that boolits above 400gr. are more likely to give better groups.

Some also feel that groups may suffer at velocities in the range I am running.

Time will tell.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot