Rookie reloader needs advice.

[saved30ought6]

   I just reloaded my first 45-70 cartridges for my handi 22'' barrel.
i went to hodgdens reload center & found that minimum trapdoor load for 405 gr lfp imr4064 load was 46 gr.
 I thought it would be a good idea to go lighter to start....so
     I put 41 gr. of imr 4064 behind a 400 gr. fp flat base lubed bullet I got from Mcmasters.
    Now I read it is dangerous to load below the minimum for some reason?
 Col is 2.50 & crimped.       Are these safe to shoot?

[Mac11700]

   I just reloaded my first 45-70 cartridges for my handi 22'' barrel.
i went to hodgdens reload center & found that minimum trapdoor load for 405 gr lfp imr4064 load was 46 gr.
 I thought it would be a good idea to go lighter to start....so
     I put 41 gr. of imr 4064 behind a 400 gr. fp flat base lubed bullet I got from Mcmasters.
    Now I read it is dangerous to load below the minimum for some reason?
 Col is 2.50 & crimped.       Are these safe to shoot?

If you have a safety problem or concern - DO NOT EMAIL - CALL US DIRECTLY 7:00am to 5:30pm Central Monday-Thursday : 913-362-9455

Call them and explain what you did and ask for their recommendations as to your load.They are very nice to talk to and can help

Mac

[PA-Joe]

Some powders do not like a lot of air. The general rule is to fill at least 85% of the case capacity. In the future you can add fill material to the case.

[1sourdough]

 Another thing you can do is cross reference several manuals, usually before reloading. You could do it now & see if others go below the Hodgdon/IMR minimums. They may not go enough in this case though.

[Scibaer]

thats all real good advice, and if need be you can always knock them apart and reload them with the correct minimum amount of powder

[saved30ought6]

         

         I just ordered a bullet puller.
         Thanks very much for the help!
                                                      I now know minimum load means minimum load.

[Airsporter]

Some rifle powders are tolerant of reduced loads (below recommended minimums), most are not.  H4895 is a favorite of mine for reduced loads.  Most conventional cartridges are capable of being loaded down to very comfortable levels (recoil wise).

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

For any load where Hodgdon recommends H4895, take their max load and multiple powder weight by 0.60 to get lowest recommended load:
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

So for a 405 LFP, their max load (trapdoor) is 48grs. of 4895.  48 x .6 = 29grs.  29grs. would be rock-bottom minimum load for a 405gr LFP with H4895, assuming you are using bullet of same hardness.

[lee1954]

Chuck Hawks did a very good overveiw on light loads .. he groups, many styles of cartridge, and give loading data,,,  Sorry Can't find the page -but it is on the net  .....    DAN 

[PowPow]

this is it:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_recoil_reloads.htm
I like IMR SR-4759 for my reduced recoil loads.

[revbc]

saved30......,

You don't have to wait on a bullet puller if you don't want to.  If you have a bench press, take the die out, run the cartridge to the top through the hole, take a pair of diagonal cutting pliers and pinch the bullet above the case, pick up on the press handle slowly, let the pliers rest on top of the press while gripping the bullet securely without killing it, continue lifting the handle...........and pop out comes the bullet.  Works really good if you didn't crimp it real hard.

Bobby