Possible load tips for a short 50-70

[dubber123]

Hello, everyone, I have just gotten a 6 1/2" barrel in 50-70 government for my old TC contender.  This is certainly a bit of an oddball, so I'm kind of winging it with the reloading.  I have worked up to 835 fps. with a 435 gr. cast  using Blue Dot powder.  This load seems mild and cases fall out with great looking primers.  I have tried a few 500 gr. cast that actually shot the best of all so far.  This load was a mild charge of Unique.  Any tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  This is a 50-75 yd. hunting piece, so I need accuracy first and then I will work on the power.  Thanks

[Lloyd Smale]

I havent a clue as to what to recomend for specific loads. But id be looking hard at hs6 or possible 2400 Im not a big fan of blue dot powder. It goes from mild to wild right now! Just a couple tenths of a grain will make a big difference in pressure. the two powders i have will bulk up in that big case a little and are more stable then bluedot.

[dubber123]

Lloyd, I have a good supply of 2400 to try, I haven't yet because I always had a problem getting it to burn clean until pressures got pretty high.  I was assuming I wouldn't be running much for pressure, but this barrel seems stronger than I thought.  I have never used HS6, but used quite a bit of HS7 in my .45 colt, with good results.  I'll have to get a pound to try.  Thanks for the suggestions, when I try them, I'll post the results.  Thanks.

[jd45]

As far as filling up the case, you might investigate Accurate's 5744 for a good low pressure load. JD45

[dubber123]

Thanks for the tip, I knew that would be my biggest hurdle, filling the big case, but with something that burns fast enough for the short barrel.  I may have some of that powder, if so, I'll try it soon.  Thanks.

[Lloyd Smale]

i use 2400 for light loads even in the 4570 with its huge case and ive never had a problem with ignition of any kind.

Lloyd, I have a good supply of 2400 to try, I haven't yet because I always had a problem getting it to burn clean until pressures got pretty high.  I was assuming I wouldn't be running much for pressure, but this barrel seems stronger than I thought.  I have never used HS6, but used quite a bit of HS7 in my .45 colt, with good results.  I'll have to get a pound to try.  Thanks for the suggestions, when I try them, I'll post the results.  Thanks.

[dubber123]

Lloyd, I too have used 2400 in the 45-70, and had great results with a few loads.  It's not that I've had any ignition problems (I never have), it is simply that at lower pressures in shorter barreled handguns, I get a lot of unburned powder kernels until I get up to what I believe is around 30,000 C.U.P.  I didn't think I could come anywheres near that level in this thin barrel, maybe I'm wrong.  At your suggestion I did try some after work today, but I guessed way too low on the charge, 14 grains with a 500 grainer.  I didn't need to chronograph to tell it was off.  Lots of unburned powder on first shot and a mild pop, cleaner and a bigger bang on #2, and back to dirty and a pop on #3.  The group wasn't too super either.  I need a full day to work with this powder, maybe it'll be great.  I'll let you know ASAP.  Thanks.

[Lloyd Smale]

how does the case capasity of that round compare to a 500 linebagh. I know that in the linebaugh with a 440 grain bullet using 20 grain is a real mild load. Even up to 25 grains your still under 30000 psi. Did you ask the barrel maker for a max pressure for that barrel. Problem you may run into is that with that big case using powders and faster and you have such a pour loading density that powder postion will make pressures irratic when your down under 20000 psi. Ive loaded powders as fast as 231 in the 500s but usually the loads are on the high side of the pressure scale with the faster powders. Ill tell you another good powder to play with for light loads thats allways given me good luck. Thats Herco. its a tad slower then unique and has allways given me good accuarcy.

[dubber123]

Lloyd, thanks again, I unfortunately dont't have a 500 Linebaugh for a case capacity comparison.  I  do have a .475 Linebaugh, and I believe the 2 Linebaugh rounds share the same case length of 1.4", whereas the 50-70 is 1.735", on my Starline brass, so I guess it's a good bit longer.  If they are shooting 25 grs. of 2400 in the shorter case, no wonder my guess of 14 grs. acted so screwy.  If I get a chance this weekend, I'll try some hotter charges.  I can't remeber if I posted my new accuracy results here.  With 500 grainers and 11 to 12 grains of Unique my first group was .638" (11 grs.), and the next was around .7" (12 grs.).  @ 35 yds.  This was a huge improvement.  Thanks again for your help.