Author Topic: 45-70 Katy Reloads (Read 549 times)

Dippingvat · « **on:** October 16, 2004, 03:21:58 PM »

Hi guys, need a little advice. I have loaded 300, 350, and 405 jacketed flat nose and HP bullets with IMR 3031, and IMR 4198, from lowest charge to high charges (not highest). The 18-inch barrel has not found anything that it likes so far. Four to five inch groups at 100 yds. Have used Steve's pages and combinations of other manuels with these two powders. Will solid lead bullets shoot better in this short barrel? How about another powder with lead or jacketed bullets? Bullet seat should be OK (2.495 - 2.55) and scope is new Bushnell elite 3200 and all screws are tight. Primer is CCI 200. I just don't think I have hit the right combination yet for this short barrel. Advice would be helpful. Thanks.

jackfish · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2004, 03:38:32 PM »

Try H4198, H322 or Reloder 7?

jhalcott · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2004, 05:29:01 PM »

I used h322 in my 15" barrel but got some miss fires. I'm trying to figure out if The primers(large rifle ,NOT MAG) are the culprit or are they just bad primers? Same lot of powder in other ammo goes off fine. Most of my ammo is loaded with 3031 though.
Lead works great in my barrel.I cast my own,other people might not be as picky as I am. Have you tried 4064 powder?I tried it with 350 gr jacketed and 420 gr cast with some success. Most 45-70's like 3031 and 300/350 gr slugs. Slug the bore checking for tight spots.Use a loupe of 10/12 power to check the crown.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2004, 02:43:14 AM »

Check the crown. Maybe even recrown it on general principles. I'm assuming from the length that the barrel has been shortened which makes the crown doubly suspect.

I'm a huge cast bullet fan in the .45-70. Problem is that the cast bullets have to be fatter than are commonly available, .459 or .460. I especially like Lee 459-405-HB as cast. If your rifle won't shoot that well over a charge of 12-13 grains of Unique, you have a rifle problem.

Dippingvat · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2004, 04:20:49 AM »

Thanks for the replies. The Katy barrel is factory ported. I will get my gunsmith to check entire barrel tomorrow. I had a gut feeling all along that cast bullets may shoot better in this barrel. I haven't tried any other powder than the two I listed because they were the two most popular. By going through each bullet, 300,350, 405, from lowest to highest charge has taken some time. Still open to all suggestions. Will do my part with checking the barrel tomorrow. Thanks.

Bill,SC · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2004, 03:39:19 AM »

I have a factory barrel that I could not get to shoot. In fact, 3-4inch groups would have been an improvement over what it was doing. It would be 6" down. Then it would be level but 6" to the right; then 6" up, 6" to the left. or even dead center. I had a muzzle brake put on it thinking it was me with the recoil. That did not help. I changed scopes thinking I blown the guts out of the scope. That did not help. I decided to use a reduced load to just have a play gun. It might be better than throwing rocks. I found a load with blue dot that not only groups, but gives a single hole at 100yds. I use 19-23grs of blue dot with a 300gr gsp bullet. I have also used this load with 350gr. bulk bullets with the same results. Try it! It might not be as good for you but it sure made my piece of junk into a shooter. I plan on using it for hunting this fall.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2004, 06:25:08 AM »

My 18.5" Marlin loves 300 grain Noslers...and won't shoot the Hornady's at that weight worth a crap...I get great groups with the Hornady 350 grainers...and just picked up a box of Speers Uni-Cores to try out...and the only jacketed 405 grain bullet I've tried is the Remmingtons...it's ok...but I'm sure there are others that will group even better...and as far as cast bullets go...the only 405 grain bullet I shoot is the Cast Performance WLNGC and it's showing excellent promise so far...so I'll refine that load somewhat...all groups for both jacketed and my one cast will shoot better than 2" with some punching 1 ragged hole in the paper at 100 yards... and..... I use H4198 powder...Remington 9-1/2 primers...and Remington's nickle cases...that combination has given me the best so-far...

Mac

Dippingvat · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2004, 04:07:27 PM »

After many days at the range I have finally found the load that my katy likes. 350 gr. Hornady FN, CCI200, 47 grains RE7. Have shot five sessions with this load. Groups 1.5 inches with 3-4 touching at 100 yards. It's not the top load but 47 grains will make you pay attention. Don't believe you can hold on with a hotter charge, at least I don't want to try. :shock: