45-70 cast bullet loads

[BBF]

 I should have my second 45-70 Govt Handi Rifle next week. I also ordered the Lee Mold for the 500 gr. Spitzer.  Does anybody have any load info on that bullet ??

[Cottonwood]

With Accurate Arms
500 (L) FN
AA5744 23.4 1070 5744 26.0 1217 16100
AA2495 39.6 1348 2495 44.0 1532 18400

[Redhawk1]

From Lyman 48th Edition             
                   Min        Max             
SR4759        21.0 to 24.0gr.  1108 to 1216 fps
IMR4198      28.5 to 31.5 gr.  1107 to 1287 fps
Reloader 7    30.0 to 34.0 gr.  1119 to 1284 fps   
IMR3031       38.0 to 42.0 gr.  1075 to 1332 fps
Varget          40.5 to 45.0 gr.  1150 to 1356 fps 

Hotter loads but not a max load
SR4759       30.0 gr. 1595 fps
IMR4198     40.0 gr 1684 fps
Reloader 7   46.0 gr 1785 fps
H322          47.0 gr. 1669 fps.

You can work on loads between the top max load and the hotter loads below the top data.  I find SR4759 to be a great powder for the 45-70 very accurate also.
In my Marlin lever action the H322 is what I use for my hot loads.

[Cottonwood]

45-70 Govt

Just curious as to why your choice for that 500-gr bullet?

Are you trying to get more range out of it, or are you going to hunt with it?

I'm just curious since I used to load a lot of 500-gr loads for the Handi Rifle and Buffalo Classic rifles and other single shot 45-70 rifles such as the Sharps and Rolling Block actions.

If for range, I got a 550-gr bullet you might be interested in that will work real well in your Handi Rifle with its 1 in 22 rifling.

[BBF]

I have only one Mail Order Store I can get molds from. I have the 405 gr mold and they have only got a limited number of other weight molds.

I did manage to cast some of the 500 grainers and just realized that this is a mold for a GC bullet.

Right now I am just  playing with the rifle/load to see what is pleasant to shoot and show some nice groups. I do have jacketed bullets as well. Once I get a bit further into early fall I will make a decision what to load for hunting. We got deer here and a very very(lottery) remote chance for moose.

Thanks for the replies

[quickdtoo]

If for range, I got a 550-gr bullet you might be interested in that will work real well in your Handi Rifle with its 1 in 22 rifling.

Make that 1:20". 

Tim

[Cottonwood]

Yep Tim, your right once again..... I was thinkin of the Cadet Trapdoor.

[BBF]

If I will stay with cast bullets for hunting which would be my first choice. I will be using the bullet that groups best from a cold clean or dirty barrel followed by the one with the largest meplat.
The Magma bullets I have are the winners in the the second criteria.

[Lone Star]

For hunting I'd stick with the widest meplat rather than smallest groups - unless the former group over 4" at 100 yards.  In a short-range field rifle, you will not a difference between 2" and 4" groups.  What you really need is a bullet to put the animal down quickly.  IME with the .45-70, the larger the meplat the better.


.

[BBF]

agreed