Best smokless loads for 45-70 500gr.lead round nose

[Curt Dawson]

What have been your most successful loads with the 500 grain round nose lead bullet using smokeless powder in the 45-70?

[Lawful Larry]

It would help to know which gun you plan to shoot it in.  There are three distinct categories of .45-70 with different power levels.

[Curt Dawson]

Buff Classic.I want to keep the loads in the trap door pressure range.

[Lawful Larry]

I have an original '84 Trapdoor and back in the day, before I was lured to the darkside, I reload 38 grs. of IMR 3031 under a 405 RNFP bullet.  Double check the Lyman loading book #47 for this info.  They do not cover the  405 gr. bullet, but you can figure it our with what they list.  I don't like the load listing at the Hodgdon website for this caliber.  I think it is way too high for these guns!  With the loads they list for the Trapdoor Springfield I use in my new 1886 Winchester (48grs). 

These are my thoughts and you should work up loads, in careful increments, to suit your gun.  Whatever you do, please research your load data

But all this is mute, if you come to your senses and load with the holy black.  And have more fun I might add.

[quickdtoo]

Dodd3 shoots the a 500gr cast bullet in his BC, give him a PM for his load. John Boy shoots a 500gr cast bullet at 1000yds using an old powder.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,95365.msg1098232832.html#msg1098232832

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,119506.msg1098396326.html#msg1098396326

[Curt Dawson]

I am seeing a number of references to using IMR 3031 and accurate 5744.Any comments?

[quickdtoo]

I've only used 5744 with gas checked bullets in the 45-120 BC, and IMR3031 with jacketed bullets in the 45-70s.

Tim

[EsoxLucius]

I use IMR3031 with a 488 grain Schmittzer.  My notes have 40 grains of IMR3031 and a 500 grain cast bullet as a trapdoor load at 1350 fps.

[Curt Dawson]

I have read in numerous sources that keeping the velocity at just under the speed of sound gives the best long range accuracy.Which is why I choose the trap door loads for the 500 grain slug.And I do not wish the extra work that comes with black powder.

[paul105]

Any tips for eliminating unburned powder kernels when using 5744?

thanks,

Paul

[quickdtoo]

Don't look down the bore, whatcha don't see won't hurt you in this case!!!   A good crimp with the Lee factory crimp die seems to help, but I don't worry about it, it's accurate so I could care less about what's left in the bore as long as it doesn't affect the next round.

I've read that SR4759 is cleaner burning in the 45-70, but I've never tried it yet, the Speer #13 shows 22gr start and 26gr max for 1325fps in a 26" barrel with a 500gr RCBS #82085 cast bullet, Win brass and CCI 200. The Lyman 48th also shows data for SR4759 and 500+gr cast bullets.

Tim

[paul105]

I wasn't worried about what's in the bore -- was more worried about it getting in the action and tying things up.

Paul

[quickdtoo]

Not much concern about that as far as this thread is concerned since he's shooting an H&R Buffalo Classic. 

Tim