Ruger no 1 45/70 newbie

[ellsworth]

I have reloaded for a number of years in the .32/.38/45 colt/44 mag hand gun area.  My new Ruger no 1 in 45-70 is on the way and am looking for a few tried and true suggestions in 300 and 405 gr bullets.  I am not a hunter and will be shooting at paper for recreation.  I have reloading manuals but thought someone out there would have a favorite load or two for this particular rifle.....thanks very much!!

[DennisB]

Ellsworth:  Welcome to the site and the world of .45/70s.  I currently have a Ruger No. 3 and an H&R Buffalo Classic and have settled on one load for both.  I use the "bulk" Remington 300 grain HPs over 52.0 grains of IMR 3031.  This is two grains over the max "Marlin" level and one under starting Ruger level loads according to my Lyman 47th ed.  It's also about all I care to crank up with the No. 3 before the fun becomes pain.  The H&R and the Ruger will shoot this load into 1.5 inches or less regularly.  I haven't used the 405s much, just because I came into a whole bunch of the 300s and they work so well.  I have a Lee 405 grain mold and plan on seeing how they do with the H&R later this spring.  The Ruger doesn't seem to care for them.

[Lone Star]

If all the OP wants to do is target shoot, he probably won't enjoy 52 grains of 3031 over the 300s, even in the heavier #1 rifle.  (BTW, Hornady considers 52.0/IMR3031 as maximum for a Trapdoor!).   I always enjoyed 33-35 grains of 4227 (either brand) under the 300s, great accuracy in two of my .45-70s and the recoil was pleasant.  No pussycat powerwise, velocities were around 1650 fps/1800 fpe which is more than a .44 carbine delivers.

Today I prefer to use BlueDot with the 300s on paper for even less recoil and similar-to-better accuracy, but it is not a published load so I won't list it here.


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[adirondacker]

my #1 shoots my wfn 425 grn cast into a moa group at 100 yds with 39.5 grns of 4198.if you are looking for some pleasant loads to try look into reloading some cast bullets with trailboss.i haven't used it in 45/70 but i shoot it in my rem hepburn 40/70 with outstanding results.my son wants a 45/70 barrel for his g2 contender,i'll load that for him.good luck with it,adker

[Spanky]

I do alot of target shooting with my 45-70 H&R and I load mine to upper trapdoor/lower Marlin levels. Loaded to Ruger levels, a 45-70 will beat the Hell out of you at the bench. There is no need to punish yourself to poke holes in paper.


Spanky

[Autorim]

ellsworth,

Welcome to the world of 45/70 and Ruger single shots whether No. 1 or 3. It is one of my favorites to load and shoot. I like the 300 grain bullet. 36.0 grains of IMR 4198 and 50.0 grains of IMR 4198 both shoot the the same point of impact in my rifles. The 50 grain load chronos at over 2100 fps for me and can be punishing if shot in long sessions. I am going to start testing some lower velocity cast bullet loads this year.

The 45/70 is a great classic cartridge and is loads of fun to load and shoot.

[drdougrx]

Congrats!!

That's a #1 in my avatar.  I shoot only 1 load, 46gr IMR4895 with a 350gr speer sp.  I get a velocity of 1700fps and can shoot 1" AT 100 on a good day.  Have at it!!!!

[Westbound]

My Buffalo Classic really seems to like 405gr Cast Performance over 48gr of Varget.
Recoil is there, but it's not a mule by any means.  My gun also liked the factory loaded Remington 405gr, but I haven't handloaded any of these bullets.  I'm sure with the right loading, the Remmies would be a dang accurate bullet.