Universal powder for light loads in .45-70; any experience?

[bufflernickl]

Anyone used this powder for the .45-70?

I'd like to shoot a PP 255 gr bullet at 1200 fps or less. I find lots of loads for Unique, which I don't happen to have. I have Universal which lists just a bit slower than Unique and faster than SR 4759, so it seems like a good candidate.

Any loads you might have would be appreciated. If none, I'll just take a starting load of Unique and work up from there. Also, if anyone knows of quirky characteristics of this powder, I'd like to hear of those, too

Cheers/buffler

[gumfighter]

I don't know if this will help, however, I use Red Dot for my light 45-70 loads.  Around 14 grains with a 350 grain lead cast bullet and regular rifle primer (no filler).  I buy the Magna brand 350 grain plain base bullets in bulk from Midsouth Shooting Supplies and they shoot 1" to 1 1/2" at 100 yards in my Browning 1885 with an old Weaver K2.5 scope mounted on it.  The load  chronos at 1300 fps and has very little recoil.  It is a very cheap load to shoot and lots of fun.   I am sure you can find a similar load using Unique, however, I use the Red Dot because that is what I use in my 12ga shotgun reloads.

[Larry Gibson]

"I'd like to shoot a PP 255 gr bullet at 1200 fps or less. I find lots of loads for Unique, which I don't happen to have. I have Universal which lists just a bit slower than Unique and faster than SR 4759, so it seems like a good candidate.

Any loads you might have would be appreciated. If none, I'll just take a starting load of Unique and work up from there. Also, if anyone knows of quirky characteristics of this powder, I'd like to hear of those, too

Cheers/buffler[/quote]"

Some years back I PP'd some .454 260 gr SWCs for use in the 45-70.  I did try Universal but found it too slow.  I started at 11 gr and went up to 14 gr.  I always had blow back of gas into the action as the cases, even fire formed ones, would not obturate and seal the breech.  Tried Unique and had the same thing until I got up into the 1600 fps range which was too fast for my purpose.  Went to Bullseye and Voila!  I used 8.5 gr (no filler or wad) and pushed them at 1150 fps.  Accuracy as good as a Rapine 460250 (275 gr with WWs) over 8 gr Bullseye at 1050 fps but the PPing paid no dividend so I stuck with regular cast bullets.

Larry Gibson

[Dr. A]

In speaking with the Hodgden tech last week I posed the same question, and he claimed I could use Unique data for all my loads with Universal.  With that in mind, and Universal being slightly slower, I would expect slightly less pressure and corresponding less velocity.

[bufflernickl]

Tnx, Doc,

I'd about come to the same conclusions, except that I figgered I'd use MORE Universal to get the pressure/velocity back up :-)