Anyone with ammo advice for a 1895 45/70?

[teddy12b]

I may be picking up a 1895 45/70 with a 22" barrel soon.  I'm already setup for reloading my own ammo, but I also try out factory ammo to see what shoots the best before I get too carried away with buying supplies in bulk.

Does anyone have a favorite factory load for their 1895 45/70?

Does anyone have a favorite powder for a 45/70?  I already have IMR4350, Varget, and H322 on the shelf.

[45/70fan]

While not an 1895 I shoot 300 Remingtons over 50.0 Reloader 7 in my 45/70. I'm getting right at 2000 fps in my NEF with a 22" barrel. It puts 3 shots touching at 100 yards and really knocks deer flat. If you want maximum velocity look at H4198.

[Ranger J]

I shoot a similar Re#7 load with the Rem 300 gr HP in my 1895 and it is an excellent load.  It will shoot ragged holes at 50 yds.  This year I learned that it is too much bullet for deer as both deer I shot had fist size exit wounds.  The up side was they didn't go far.  This is not a pleasant load for me to shoot at the range and I have to watch that the scope doesn't 'kiss' me.  So far it has only knocked my hat off a few times.  Loading this bullet down to trapdoor levels makes it much more pleasant to shoot at paper and at the ranges I shoot at will still be plenty for a deer.  I also shoot 300 gr Laser cast with 2400 powder loaded at trapdoor levels in my 1895 but more often in my Handi.  This also does a job on deer but you will not get much expansion.  As you have varget and it is similar to Re#7 check a good loading manual for load levels.  Start with trapdoor levels and if that doesn't satisfy you work up to Marlin level loads.  45/70s are a load of fun!

RJ

[Lloyd Smale]

your varget and 322 will work fine for it for heavy loads. If your going to go a little lighter re7 is another one. 4198, 4895 Are another couple good ones. FOr light loads ive had good luck with 2400.

[teddy12b]

With a new 45-70 I'd be looking for the hotter loads.  I'd want it to have all the power potential it could safely have.

[killadeaux]

I'm using a Barnes 300 grain XXX with 55 grains Reloader 7 in my Uberti 1885 Winchester Hi-Wall

[cwlongshot]

  You will find some loads for the 322.. but your likely better off getting the suggested RL7. Its a really good one. Two other good powders are IMR4198 and 3031.

  For bullets, try REMINGTON factory 405's! They are affordable and are avalible in 100 packs thru Cabelas or other suppliers. They make for a very good bullet for big game. Load them to 1900+ for some excellent performance on anything this continent has to offer. If that recoil is too stout, try loading them back to the 1600 range, dont worry about that bullet, Remington loads it to 1300 in factory loads with adaquite performance on deer sized game. Many shooters here push it to 2100 and it still works very well. Personally I like the speer 400 for anything above 2000.

CW

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree. MOst all of my shooting with the 4570 is with cast but if i was going to hunt with jacketed it would be the remington 405

  You will find some loads for the 322.. but your likely better off getting the suggested RL7. Its a really good one. Two other good powders are IMR4198 and 3031.

  For bullets, try REMINGTON factory 405's! They are affordable and are avalible in 100 packs thru Cabelas or other suppliers. They make for a very good bullet for big game. Load them to 1900+ for some excellent performance on anything this continent has to offer. If that recoil is too stout, try loading them back to the 1600 range, dont worry about that bullet, Remington loads it to 1300 in factory loads with adaquite performance on deer sized game. Many shooters here push it to 2100 and it still works very well. Personally I like the speer 400 for anything above 2000.

CW

[45-70.gov]

i  have  a  405  mold  on  the  way  and 3 pounds of  imr 3031  on  hand
[ also  some varget, unique, 4 lb  bullseye, unigue, trail  boss]

i  am  thinking the  3031  my nest  in stock

or  just get  some 4198

bc  32 inch
16 inch handi
varmint HnR 24 inch
marlin xlr

i  have  never  loaded  the 47-70  ant  suggestions 
[i  know  don't  pay any attention to my  name  or sread it   around]

[BBF]

I have loaded RL-7 in the 50 gr range for 350,400 and 405 gr jacketed bullets.
Al did a nice group and all were less then pleasant to shoot from the bench with a Handi.

[Westbound]

I just dialed in my load today at the range.
I've got a Buffalo Classic with a 32" barrel.  I don't have a cronograph, so exact speed is unknown.  probably around 1700 FPS

405 GR Cast Performance
48 GR Varget
REM 9 1/2 LR primer
Starline brass

this was very accurate in my gun.  recoil was managable, but definately there!

This load is at the upper end of trapdoor or lower end of 1895 levers.

[teddy12b]

What kind of accuracy do you look for in a buffalo classic?

[killadeaux]

I have a Uberti 1885 Winchester Hi-Wall 45/70 and shoot a 300 grains Barnes XXX with 55 grains Reloader 7

[Westbound]

What kind of accuracy do you look for in a buffalo classic?

I was shooting at 25 and 50 yards to help remove the biggest problem with accuracy (me is the biggest problem with accuracy).
after shooting one ragged hole with the 48gr varget load at 25 and 50 yards, i wold expect the gun to be capable of 1" at 100 yards, but I can't achieve this using iron sites.  I should probably scope the gun, but its just so darned pretty as is!!