G2 COntender with 14" Hunter Barrel Loads

[Dan Chamberlain]

Well, I have my new G2 in .45-70 and I'm interested in any recommended loads using IMR 4198 and the 300 grain Hornady.  I have the Hornady loading manual and it lists TC Contender loads but only for the 16" barrel.  The load I decided to try first lists 1700 fps in the 16 inch barrel.  Any idea how much velocity I'll lose from the 14 incher?  

Next question.  While I'm not particularly recoil sensitive and I have a lot of experience with heavy .45s and .454s, I have never fired the .45-70 from a Contender.  Am I loading too light for that package?  The 4198 loads listed go a lot higher but I hope I'm being conservative.  

It's to the range tomorrow with the Chrono and 25 loaded rounds.

Any suggestions?

Dan C

[Bullseye]

T/C will tell you to stay in the trapdoor range.  My Super 14 barrel likes 36 gr. of the IMR 4198 and Hornady 300 gr XTP.  By most books this load is getting near the high end of the trapdoor range.  The kick is not very bad on mine even without a break or scope for extra weight.

[Dan Chamberlain]

I'm a little confused.  The Hornady manual lists 44 grains of IMR 4198 as getting 1750 fps from a 16" contender barrel.  The loads for the trapdoor go all the way in to the 1800 fps range.  36 grains of 4198 would push the 300 grain Hornady at high end .45 Colt velocities.  Any thoughts?

Dan C

[Bullseye]

The 36 gr. of 4198 might be high end 45 Colt velocity, the Hornady book lists the velocity at 1475.  I use mine for under 100 yards and am making a big hole, the speed does not concern me to much.

The Hornady book shows a max of 39.4 grs. of 4198 for 1600 fps for the Contender.

The IMR book shows a max load of 41.2 for 4198 for a velocity of 1900 fps for the trapdoor rifle section.

The 45-70 load has confused me more than any other.  I have seen loads listed that scare the heck out of me if the ones above are maximum.  The old Hornady book was way above the new book, specifically for the Contender.  Their is a load listed in an article on handgunhunt.com in one of those articles that is more 4198 than I want to put in my Marlin, much less my Contender.  I just load mine at a range that is fun to shoot and will kill any deer I see under 100 yards.  If you have different needs you do need to find out where that upper load limit is.

[Dan Chamberlain]

Yup.  It gets confusing!  Well, I have a Marlin and a Ruger #1 so the loads won't go to waste, but like you said, my Hornady manual (several years old) lists loads up to well over 1750 for the contender and IMR 4198 with a 300 grain Hornady bullet...and this is with the old Contenders and not the new G2s.  What's a mother to do?

I guess I'm gonna go back to the loading bench and work up a dozen or so loads in the 38 grain range and see how they chrono.

Thanks for your help.

Dan C

[fyrepowrx]

Dan;

i have some .45-70 articles that layne simpson published in shooting times some years back that i kept referring to so often i finally just laminated 'em & stuck 'em in with my other loading manuals.. his data showed velocity/performance in barrels from 14 inches & up for various contenders, lever guns, and the Ruger #1.. i had to get a Ruger #1 in .45-70 after reading that article.. :grin:  i still have the data if you are interested.

[Dan Chamberlain]

Fire;

Certainly am!  I'm always interested in anything about the .45-70!  I have the Contender, Marlin Ruger and Sharps!  I love it all!  Thanks for the offer.  Any load quotes would be appreciated for the Contender et all!

Dan C

[crawfish]

DC I have a Contender Load Book at home, I'd be gald to copy and email the 45-70 section to you. Just let me know here.

[Dan Chamberlain]

Craw:

That's great.  I tried calling TC today but they don't have weekend hours.  I suppose I'll end up buying the loading manual, but right now, the .45-70 is the only caliber besides .22lr that I'm interested in with that platform.

Anyway, you can email me at:  danchamberlain@charter.net

Thanks again.

Dan C

[crawfish]

Well of course I couldn't sent that stuff to you. Forgot the copy your email to myself at home. :eek:    Give it another shot in the AM when I get home.

[Dan Chamberlain]

youdaman

Dan

[crawfish]

Three files sent. If they are to large let me know and I'll transcribe them here for everyone.

[Dan Chamberlain]

Pete;

Thanks for the data.  The files are big, but I can shrink them.  I emailed you last night.  In fact they mirror the loading data for jacketed bullets from my Hornady manual.  So it reaffirms what I have been doing.  However, I will admit the 39 grains of IMR 4198 load is stiff!  I can handle it, but I'm not sure what advantage it would offer on whitetails.  Maybe bear...great big bears...or cape buffalo!  Sooo, last night I loaded up some with 36 grains as has been suggested above and will try them.  They exceed .454 Casul specs so I have to think it will be a dandy white tail load.  Thanks to all who responded.  

Dan C

[Dan Chamberlain]

Well I was able to get the chrony to work today.  36 grains of IMR 4198 gave me an average of 1460 with a 300 Hornady hollow point.  Recoil was noticably more pleasant that the 39 grain loads...which I didn't chronograph at the time.  Accuracy was decent, but I really have to remember to bring my pistol rest when I'm going to the range next time.  I know the gun will shoot tightly...if I can just settle the cross hairs down.  

Thanks for all the help.

Dan C

[Bullseye]

You are correct, the recoil does seem to go up a bunch above 36 grs.  Luckily 36 gr gave me my best accuracy with that bullet.  I did load some up to 38 gr and when I was shooting them my wife asked me what I was waiting for.  I told her I needed to get rid of these last three but was dreading pulling the trigger.  1450 fps is not bad when you are making a big hole, plus it more than gets everyones attention at the range!

[Dan Chamberlain]

I'm going to load a few up at 37 and chrony those.  I believe 36 or 37 is going to be the limit.  I did notice at 100 yards that those bullets made really nice eruptions of dirt really quickly!  If 1300 fps killed a bunch of buffalo with 405 grain bullets, 1500 should work pretty well with 300 grain bullets.  I've killed a number of deer with the .45-70 in my Marlin, but never in the contender.

Dan C