2nd time to the range

[crow_feather]

This time I went with a chronograph.  All my loads were compressed around .3" and nothing was near the lands and grooves of the rifle.  In order to do this, I eliminated the .1" lube disk and the .6" over lube wad. I just used the .3" over powder wad.  I used 2f and 3f powder in the 55 to 70 grain range.  My loads went as high as 1300 fps and low as 1200.  Most with a 535 grain postell bullet.

But my accuracy went out the door.  I could not get better than 5" groups with any load.  It is either the lack of lube or the lack of having the bullet nose touching the lands and grooves.  I hope it is one or the other.

No, I did not use my blow tube, I'm saving it as a last resort, hoping that I can keep the fouling soft with lube rather that breath.

[sharps4590]

crow, keeping that fouling soft without using the blow tube can depend greatly upon climatic conditions.  You're aware of that from your muzzleloading experience.  If you find a combination that keeps the fouling soft over a long string without using the blow tube I'm confident we'd all like to hear about it.  I still believe you're compressing the powder too much.  1/3 of an inch is quite a bit of compression and I would think you would have to be crushing some, if not a lot, of powder granules and that will change burn rate from round to round.  Also, if you're numbers are correct, a .3 over powder wad seems overly thick.  I've never used anything over .030 and usually it's .020.  In addition, I always seat my bullets to where they just touch the lands.  I can't complain about the accuracy from any of my rifles.

Fun, ain't it!!!!  Even if it can be a bit frustrating at times.

Vic

[crow_feather]

The problem with a 45-70 is to get enough powder in the case with all the other stuff.  Idaho is so dry that a cold drink won't leave a ring on your wife's coffee table.  Rust has to be jump started on your average rifle.  And if you shoot a big deer, you wait a half hour til it dehydrates afore you carry it to the truck.

And yes, I didn't think about it but I am probably crushing the snot outta the black powder.  I have some loaded with a heavy compression, but with a lube disc and the heavy cardboard disc.  If they don't shoot well, I will try the loose compression with a lube disc and no top wad.

I have also ordered the new lyman mould that lets you put the first 3 lube rings of the bullet into the bore of the rifle in order to give more room for powder  (457677).  Casting my own will be better I think, I can make sure the bullets are of the finest quality

C F

[handirifle]

I'd like to know how you get all that in a 45-70 case.  Even a .3" wad in a 2.1" case, plus at least .5" of bullet stuck in there leaves barely over 1" for powder.  There's not enough room for 70gr of BP in a 1.2" space.

I couldn't get over 55gr in a case with a .030 card wad.  Are you sure you didn't mean a .060 and .030?

[crow_feather]

oops!  forgot to add a zero to that little bugger.  .030 and .060 is correct

C F

[sharps4590]

I'm totally familiar with how dry it is out west.  I lived in NW Wyoming in Star Valley just outside Thayne for 3 1/2 years.  Using a bullet with lots of wide, deep lube grooves I never had any trouble with fouling build up for HUNTING loads.  Mostly because that many shots aren't fired.  If we were shooting targets of one variety or another I always used a blow tube.  Here in Missouri it's the opposite.  Humidity levels are almost always high but a blow tube is still pretty much a necessity for long strings.

Sounds as if you're on the right track with your bullet choice.  I'm curious to know how it shoots.  I'm with handi....you're sure cramming a lot into that short, 45 cal. case.

Vic

[Lead pot]

What manufacturer powder are you using? and how are you compressing it?

Kurt

[crow_feather]

Goex 2 and 3 f.

CF