Author Topic: 45-70 loads  (Read 1143 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tonygrz

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 87
  • Gender: Male
45-70 loads
« on: August 22, 2008, 04:06:29 PM »
Hi,

Since I ordered my 45-70, began looking for reloading dies.  Thought about the Lee Reloader and accessories, but for just a $15 more I got an RCBS die set.  I'm already set up for reloading with an RCBS press.

Question - I went to the local gun shop and started looking at all the 45-70 stuff.  I told the shop owner that I was going to load Trail Boss and keep the fps at about 1000.  He didn't have any data in the shop for such low loads.  We looked at several reloading manuals but none showed low power loads.  Even the loads printed for Trapdoor 45-70 started at 1400 fps.  He said he'd never heard of loads of just 13 grs of Trail Boss in 45-70.  I also pulled up other reloading data for low speed loads off the internet from Hodgon's and Alliant and most called for just 13 or so grs of a lot of powders, like Red Dot, Unique, 700X, etc.  Am I on the wrong path?????  Please advise if I'm going in the wrong direction.

Thanks for all your great support.  I think this is question # 8,570 !!!!

Tony Garza
tonygrz
Life is great, don't screw it up with WORK !!!

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43301
  • Gender: Male
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2008, 04:31:08 PM »
Here ya go...

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

Hodgdon Trailboss data runs from 699fps to 1285fps.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline tonygrz

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 87
  • Gender: Male
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2008, 03:40:14 PM »
Thanks quickdtoo.  I printed those tables and showed them to the gun shop owner and he implied that they were "sissy" loads.  I don't want to shop there again but he is the only one in town (Abilene, Tx) that has all the 45-70 stuff in stock.  So, I guess I shoot "sissy" loads and I don't have to go to my shoulder doctor either.

Tony Garza
tonygrz
Life is great, don't screw it up with WORK !!!

Offline Smokin Joe

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1230
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2008, 04:10:58 PM »
Amen, Tony........Me too!

Welcome to sissyville.

 ;D ;D
Deo duce, ferro comitante
With God as my leader and my sword as my companion

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2008, 04:29:20 PM »
IMO most people way overload the .45-70.  I really like the Remington 405 grain factory load.  It is plenty powerful enough, and fun to shoot.  I plan on using Varget to duplicate it.
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline Ranger J

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 990
  • Gender: Male
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2008, 04:57:48 PM »
I load Trail Boss and 300  Laser Cast bullets and I can shoot all day and still enjoy it.  My shoulder even enjoys it the next day.  Don't listen to those who are so shallow that they feel they need to prove their manhood by the amount of pain they can stand.

RJ

Offline Badnews Bob

  • Trade Count: (34)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2963
  • Gender: Male
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2008, 01:13:51 AM »
I just loaded a box of 300 grain cast bullets up to about 1100 fps I'm gonna shoot them today and enjoy it, Call me a sissy if ya want, But, I shoot back. LOL.
Badnews Bob
AE-2 USN retired

Offline Spanky

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (96)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4627
  • Gender: Male
  • USMC Semper Fidelis
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2008, 05:55:11 AM »
There ain't nothing sissy about a .458 hole in something!!

I only shoot trapdoor loads in mine and I can shoot it all day long without getting pounded.
Not to mention it's very accurate with "sissy" loads.

I say load it the way YOU want it and have fun.
Don't worry what "Joe Blow Magnum" thinks.



Spanky

Offline MSP Ret

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (173)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8940
  • Gender: Male
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2008, 06:09:36 AM »
I agree, only a real wimp will shoot nothing but heavy loads, perhaps it makes him think he is a "real man". In reality, a "real man" shoots whatever he feels like. My favorite 45-70 load is 28.0 grains of 2400 behind a 350 grain Hornady RNFP bullet. Not a heavy load by any standards with not a lot of recoil, but very accurate. A "real killer" only at one end!!!....carry on with what you want to do, it sounds like a winner to me....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline Troyboy

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (41)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1220
  • Gender: Male
  • Work more talk less
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2008, 08:27:11 AM »
The whole idea of handloading is getting the load that is right for you and your gun. If the shop owner knew anything at all he would that all the cowboy action guys have started the loading down trend.Thats exactly why Trailboss was devoleped.You want to be as accurate as possible.Enjoy shooting reduced loads.
.204 .22lr .22wm .25acp .223 5.56 .243 .25-06 6.5x55  .308  .300wbymag  7.5x54  7.62x25 7.62x39  338-06  9x19 .38spl  9x18 .45acp . 45-70 .500s&w 12rfl 12smb 20smb  .45lc 410smb .22hornet .280AI    Ask not what your country can do for you BUT what can YOU do for your country

Offline Tencubed

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 265
  • Gender: Male
Re: 45-70 loads
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2008, 09:37:21 AM »
One of the main reasons I shoot a lot of cast bullets is because I don't need the heavy recoil and cost of full power loads most of the time.  The casting process and working up loads just adds to the enjoyment.  I do shoot a lot of full power loads in the 45-70's and other big bores because I enjoy doing it.  Also shoot quite a number of mild loads in these rifles as well.  It's nice to be able to switch back and forth as the need or mood dictates.

As mentioned, the ability to work up loads that suit you and your rifle is far more important than the opinion of some know-it-all that is a legend in his own mind.  When you get those loads worked up take the targets in and show him how well your "sissy" loads perform.

Mike

NRA Benefactor Life Member
Why do I carry a gun?  Because a Cop's too heavy.
Oldest rifle I shoot - 1854 Sharps 50-70