40-70 ballard

[adirondacker]

i inherited a remington hepburn in 40-70 ballard.it was my grandfathers,i have had it for a while and decided to get going on making it shoot.i never recieved any cartridges,but i plan to form them from 444 marlin.the head dia.is smaller but will still push back with the extractor.i am not going to load black powder,looking for moder replacement suitable for that cartridge.any load data, reloading components or equipment you may have would be of interest.i plan to hunt deer this fall with this rifle.i already have access to a bullet mold,but still need dies and if anyone has it,i would like to procure some 40-70 headstamp brass.thanks,adker

[quickdtoo]

The 4th Edition of COTW shows the 40-63 and 40-70 Ballard as having identical case length and outside dimensions, the 40-63 is just a heavier case version of the 40-70.They show 22gr IMR 4198 with a 330gr Lyman #403149 @1310fps. Track of the Wolf and BA show brass for it, BA has dies.

Tim

http://trackofthewolf.com/(S(vt0bxfeemjbyo0qyuyupwg55))/categories/partList.aspx?catId=2&subId=190&styleId=936&PageSize=10&Page=1

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,269.htm

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,536.htm

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,2412.htm

[GregP42]

adirondacker,

If that is an original Remington Hepburn I would NOT shoot smokeless powder in it. It was not built to take or use smokeless powder and it could fracture or rupture the action. If you don't want to shoot black powder out of it I would just hang onto it. But loading black powder or pyrodex is not that hard to do. If you decide to go that route let me know and I will give you all the information that I have about it.

Greg

[stimpylu32]

adirondacker

I got to go with Greg on this one , the action may not handle the pressure of smokeless powders , if you want to shoot it go with black or a black sub.

Greg talked me through loading for black powder in about 15 min. for my 45/70 , i am hooked , being that it is a family hearloom not sure that i would chance it , let alone the danger of what will happen if it would come apart .

stimpy

[adirondacker]

it is an original hepburn rifle.i will send you guys some pics when i get it back from the gunsmith.,it needs a spring replaced.he,the gunsmith told me about a blackpowder substitute that he uses.i can't remember the name of it but it looks like cheerios.says it's foolproof.burns with really low pressure.i am not a novice handloader.i load about 20 different calibers.rifle and handgun.and have been loading for about 20 yrs.i just am not interestd in blackpowder loads.i found dies at ch4d as well.i have other ch4d dies and i am real happy with them.about the same price as ba.as for the brass,i can form them from 7x57r,or from 444 marlin.i have plenty of444 brass on hand.i like to have 100 rounds of loaded ammo on hand at all times.if the 444 brass works out ok it will be a bunch cheaper than ba's.
   do you guys ,know anything about that powder?if this doesn't work out ,i'll be sure to get back in touch with you fellas.thanks,adker

[quickdtoo]

The powder isn't a BP substitute if it's Trailboss, although it can be used in BP Cowboy guns, it is a smokeless powder, it does look like cheerios!!

Tim

http://www.imrpowder.com/trailboss.html

[stimpylu32]

Yep , if it looks like little dougnuts , its Trail Boss , i have not used any of it but most of the Cowboy shooters that i know swear by it for low pressure loads with cast bullets . Now the trick is going to be finding data for it in the 40/70 .

You may want to give Hodgdon a call to see what they have to say .

stimpy

[PaulS]

Hodgdon is the "manufacturer" now. I know, I know - they don't actually make the powder.
If they don't have any recommendations you can give Sierra Bullets a call (800) number and see what they say. Give them the exact components that you will be using - they don't care whether you use their bullets or not. They just want to keep reloader's alive and happy.