Encore 45-70 and cast bullets

[shotgunner]

I have an Encore barrel on the way and want to develop some cast bullet loads for it. The only mold I have on hand is an Ideal 457124, a 360-380 grain round nose, so I will start with it. This is my first 45-70 and I have some questions. What powder? I have H322 and IMR 4198 on hand and would like to give them a try. Fillers? Do I need dacron in this big case? I am not looking for top velosity, just an accurate load that does not kick my teeth loose. What other bullet might I try? I thought I would try a flat point in case I decide to buy a lever action. Any help would be appreciated. Shotgunner

[howie1968]

i  like  about 37 grains Imr 3031 behind a cast 405 bullet   it  works  great  and  shoots  through  pigs

[shotgunner]

I have some 3031 and will give it a try. Are your cast bullest gas checked or plain base? Shotgunner

[charlie45]

:grin: i've used 39 gr 3031 & 300 gr remington jsp's, a good every day load, mild kick and shoots well. no filler needed. but for real fun try lee 500 gr spitz. with black lots of good info on web. good luck!! :-)

[John Traveler]

Shotgunner,

I use that 37 grain IMR 3031 load with a plain-base 405 cast bullet to duplicate factory standard.45-70 loads.  It gives over 1300 fps and no bore leading.

John

[shotgunner]

It looks like we finally have a weekend with some weather we can shoot in. I will cast some of the 300 grainers and try the 3031. I have had good luck with it in other calibers.  I have a mold with one gas check and one plain base cavity. I will give them both a try. I have a range behind the house but the deep crusted snow has kept me from it of late. Thanks for the input, I will let you know how I make out. Shotgunner

[dpastor]

A range out back? Lucky!  Depending on your rifling, you may want to increase your bullet weight.  With all of the variables, it will be a long term experiment.

I have used Reloder 7 with good results.  In fact the Lyman book says to use 1/2 gr dacron in the case with their Reloder 7 loads.  Easy to do and not messy at all.  It is non existent on cleanup and seems to promote consistency.

Want more fun?  Pyrodex Rifle will give a satisfying cloud of smoke.

aka Trapdoor

[shotgunner]

I grew up on eastern Long Island, NY. Spent lote of time shooting blackbirds on my uncle's duck farm. The thing was, you could not shoot a rifle unless you were on a range. I left 16 years ago. I bought a 100 acre farm, the farm house was a mess. I have gutted and rebuilt the house. I have a 100 yard just outside the back door. I built a regulation skeet field on top of the Hill. I shoot the handguns, just about anywhere I want to. The freedom to shoot is worth whatever work it took to put this place together. I did the work all alone, with the help of my wife and kids. All three kids are shooters. We shoot deer, geese and rabbits on our own land. Maybe it is luck, whatever it is I am thankfull every day to be where I am. Thanks for the advise, Shotgunner