40-70 SS loads

[Chaz]

Hello,
Looking for any suggestions on 40-70SS loads, Just ordered one up from C Sharps looking for some starting points, by the way I,m using Hornady .405 Brass cut down.thanks Chaz

[Clarence]

Chaz,

I'd start with a Lyman Snover mould-I think it's the best of the commercial moulds for mid-range or silhouette shooting out to 600 yd.   I think the Saeco 740 is the second best.  I don't like any of the rest.  The Lyman flat point bullet should be good for hunting.  

If you can afford an extra $50-60, I'd advise a custom mould from Fred Leeth, either the Snover design (his carry more lube) or preferably the Gunn modified (this bullet has the highest ballistic coefficient, if you measure all the way out to 600 yds., and is the least affected by wind variations).  Both are in the 410-420 gr. range.

I'd seat those bullets 0.010" short of the rifling, over a 0.060 vegetable wad, to start, and try 0.010" longer (just touching the rifling) and 0.020" longer (0.010 into the rifling) if the first try doesn't give you the tight groups you want.

After fire-forming, I'd back the sizing die out 4-5 turns or use a neck sizing die to avoid overworking the brass, and I'd get a 0.048/0.412" expander plug from Buffalo Arms.  

I'd start with Federal 215, and try Fed 210, Win WLR if the first don't group as tightly as you'd like.

I'd start with either Swiss 1.5 Fg powder compressed 0.040-0.050", trying a grain less (probably 0.010-0.020 compression) and 1-2 grains more if the first load didn't give you the accuracy you desire, or GOEX compressed 0.200", moving up a grain at a time until you get the accuracy you want (it may take 0.300" or a little more).  

The Swiss can be loaded without a separate compression step as long as you stay in the 0.050 range (I haven't tried more-you can try it, miking the front section of the bullets before and after to determine if you are bumping up the diameter-if you are, you need to use a separate compression die).  The GOES definitely needs a compression die.

I've had and shot extensively two Shiloh .40-70 SS's, and both of them would shoot a load prepared in this manner.  (Most other calibers do too.)  

Hope this helps, and you shoot really tight groups.

Clarence

[Chaz]

Clarence,

 Thanks for the info, I'll give those a try. Certainly a starting point. I have already ordered a RCBS 400 grn. mould. It's a C Sharps rifle, has a 1-18 Badger barrel, so I don't know if it would carry those heavier bullets.chaz

[Clarence]

Chaz,

That must be an older rifle.  I know Badger has been doing 16" twist for a long time.

I've shot the Snover in an 18" twist Shiloh barrel without problems.  Good accuracy out to 500 yd., the farthest distance I had available at the time.

I've tried the RCBS bullet.  Its lube grooves are far too small.  Also, I've found the RCBS, Saeco, and Lyman Schmitzer bullets to work okay out to around 400 yds. but then to take much more than expected elevation (3-5 MOA extra) at 550-600 yds.  The spitzer/semi-spitzer bullets really run out of gas at longer ranges, because the ballistic coefficient drops somewhat after the bullet falls below sonic velocity.  The Gunn designs, like the Snover and the Gunn modified, on the other hand, actually have increased ballistic coefficients at the trans-sonic velocities where our bullets spend most of their flight time.

Clarence

[Lead pot]

Chaz

The only thing I would say is keep good records,and only change one thing at a time.dont load to many of one load at a time,till you find one that works.

In my shiloh .40-70 I use GOEX compressed .320 with a 420 gr Steve Brooks mould @ 1in30 alloy.I use a three groove bullet with a .092 tapered groove.and a winchester match primer.This combo workes good in the Shiloh with a 1in 16 twist I have seen 20 shots in 2 3/4" @ 200.

In the high wall with a badger barrel and a 1-18 twist  it opens up to 4" + - a little.It ilkes .270 compression and that takes the spred down to 3"@200.

I did'nt have much luck with the production moulds,they just dont carry enough lube.I think the production mould makers forgot the black powder shooters with the lube grooves.

Like I said Chaz keep a good record.

Lp.