45-70 using R7 question?

[Jimbo47]

I'm new to reloading, and I don't see much in data on using R7 which I have on hand, and wondering if it's a good powder for loading under a 300 grain Sierra jacketed hollow point?

I've found very little data on it.

I'm looking for an in between load from 1400 to 1900 ft. per. sec. any suggestions, or if this isn't a good powder for that use in this caliber?

[STexhunter]

RL7 is a good powder for the 45/70. I use it in heavy 45/70 loads in a Ruger #3.  I get 2050fps using 300 gr Hornday HP.  Kicks pretty good and accuracy is OK but not great.  Go to alliantpowder.com for a little data.  I have an old Speer manuel that lists it as one of the powders to use.

[cwlongshot]

Jimbo... you have mail. 

 RL7 is a good one for top vel in the 45-70. 4198 is no slouch either!! 

CW

[BBF]

 From the Hornady#7 Page 660 using Trapdoor Data for their 300 gr. HP
from a Springfield Model 1873 
WW Case, Federal 210 primers.

 Reloader#7 powder

  1300 fps          1400fps       1500 fps      1600fps
   31.6gr             33.9 gr        36.3gr          38.6gr

Note. Max powder charge not to exceed 25,000 cup was  45.7 gr for 1900fps
  "     The rifle used has a 29 1/2" barrel.

Going into the next level to 40,000 c.u.p, the max is 52.3gr for 2000 fps from a Marlin Model 1895
   

[Ranger J]

I use a lot of Re#7, a lot of it in my 45/70.  The only problem I have had with with it was that it did not fill the case quite enough when it was loaded at trapdoor levels and I would get occasional hangfires.  At the Marlin level, under Rem 300 HP it will shoot the same hole at 50 yd with my Marlin and what one of these bullets does to the back side of a deer is not a pretty sight.  Because of this I have lowered the speed of the bullet by going to a trapdoor level of Varget.  It is a little faster than the similar load of 7 and fills the case better with no hangfires.  Firing a Marlin level load of 7 requires you to know where the bridge of your nose is in relation to the end of your scope.

RJ

[BBF]

I've done 50 gr. of RL-7 with Speer's 400 gr. I REMEMBER THE DAY !!
How much higher did you have to go above Trapdoor level without having those hangfirers? Did you try Mag Primers?

[Jimbo47]

Thanks for those replies, as they are helpful, and that would be the range I'm looking to start at!

[burntmuch]

42 grains RL 7 & a 300 grain rem gave me good groups, Recoil is very manageble.

[Tn Jim]

I haven't tried the 300's, but the Hornady 350's love 45 grains of R-7 in my Encore. On the other hand, 44 grains under a 405 grain Cast Performance soup can is a attention getter in a 7 1/4 pound rifle.

[john keyes]

Don't get it mixed up with Accurate #7

 

[Ranger J]

I don't think I ever went with the magnum primers as the time when I was testing these loads I was lucky to find any primers at all.  Also as I stored my cartridges bullet down in the box this might have run the powder away from the primer as I often pulled the shell out of the box with the bullet still down and put it in the chamber of  the Handi bullet down.  I might have got around this problem if I had just shook up each bullet before I fired it.  I generally loaded at the low end of trapdoor loads around 30 some gr on up to the marlin load of 50gr.  As I was loading everything under the 300gr bullet I could have but didn't develop a load anywhere between these two extremes.  I also have had good luck with 2400 loads.

RJ

[Jimbo47]

So would using magnum primers with the trapdoor loads be a safe recommendation, with hotter ignition, and higher pressures?

[Ranger J]

In short, Yes it is OK.  Just changing to magnum primers on a trapdoor load would not make that much difference pressure wise considering that you can vary the powder charge from 34 gr (not real sure on this one) to a 50 gr load using the same bullet.

RJ

[BBF]

My reason of asking whether Magnum Primers were tried was that they may just have enough extra "Spark" to have eliminated those  hangfires.

Crimping in a single shot rifle isn't needed to stop bullet movement but it can be helpful in getting the powder lit up more uniformly.

[Tn Jim]

I always crimp mine for just that reason BBF. I believe it helps give a more uniform velocity, but I have never used a chrony to verify that. My groups look better if I do crimp is all I know.