45-70 BC reloading

[Musky Mike]

What reloading data is everyone using for the 45-70 BC?  My reloading manuals have 21,000, 25,000, 28,000, 44,000, and 52,000 cup.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard!!  You can load up to low level 3 Ruger #1 pressures......if you want to, but the recoil isn't for the average shooter.  Most shooters load level 2 levergun loads are real happy. Check out Matt Parliment's post down the page. If you can get hold of a Hodgdon's #27, it has some great data in it. The LoadbookUSA 45-70 One book-One caliber has every load published at this time in it.

I shoot 2400+fps 300gr nosler partitions in my 45-70 BC and 1700+fps 525gr Pile Drivers in my 45-120 BC with no problems....

[Musky Mike]

The Speer reloading manual shows 28,000 cup for lever action 45-70 and Hornady shows 40,000 cup for lever action 45-70.  You are saying I can use 40,000 cup loads safety.

[quickdtoo]

The Hodgdon Annual shows 50KCUP max pressure for Modern Rifles, 40KCUP for the leverguns. Matt has shot his with 60gr H4198 and 300gr bullets , I've shot mine with over 56gr of H4198 and 300gr Nosler Partitions, both with no adverse pressure signs. Each rifle is an individual and what is safe in one may not be in another. I would start with level 2 start loads and work up from there using published data until you reach the level of performance you desire or the recoil is too severe, which ever comes first!! Be aware that pressure signs in a 45-70 aren't as obvious as in a bottleneck case. Resize your brass and check the growth compared to your trim length. I get about .010" growth with my loads. Also check the inside of the case with a bent wire for case head separation. Handi rifles will exhibit hard to press barrel release and stuck brass in bottleneck cases when pressure gets to high, don't know if the 45-70 will show that sign.

Be safe!

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