unique with 300 grain in a buffalo classic at 100yd.

[char2162]

i am getting poor grouping at 12 grains. can someone suggest up or down on the powder to stabilize this bullet.

[quickdtoo]

What bullet? Cast (size?) or jacketed? If cast, have you slugged the bore to determine the best size cast?

Tim

[happydog]

Here is a good Unique load that works nicely in my BC.      Accurate !!

Lyman 45719 300 grain, as cast, 1-20, Lee Alox tumble lube, Rem 9 1/2 primer, 2.590 OAL.  Approximately 1200 fps, approximately 13,200 cup.  Important to seat the bullet as far forward as possible.

Another good one is as above with 22 grains of 2400.   Both are nice shooting, comfortable, shoot all the way through a paper target  and really whack rocks !  All you really need in a 45-70! 

[WILD_WEASEL]

Happydog,

What powder and charge were you using on your first load?

Wild_Weasel

[char2162]

14.2 grains unique with poly filler and 300 grain cast bullet with 1 groove
lyman calls for 14-16 on the powder.
today on 5 shots i had a 3 in. group
on 4 shots 2.5
on the last three it was 1.5 with 2 shots touching.
i thought i would increas the powder on the next five to 15 grains.

[WILD_WEASEL]

Guys,

What is the latest philosophy on the use of (poly) fillers, or of any kind for that matter?  Most of the current publications I've read recommend (WARN) not using them with smokeless powders.

Cheers,

[coyotejoe]

I'm happy with 16 grains of unique, a tuft of cotton filler and either a 300 grain Laser Cast or 300 grain Remington JFP, took the nicest buck I've ever taken last fall with that load and the Remington bullet which behaved perfectly, a good size exit with little meat loss.
  As I understand or misunderstand the issue with poly fillers was that under some circumstances the melted poly would condense in the bore and form a ring which acted like a bore obstruction. In my singleshots I am of the habbit of looking through the bore after every shot, no special reason except that it is so easy to do. I think I would notice any build-up in the bore but I've switched to cotton fiber anyhow. Accuracy is definately better with a filler than without and I have experienced noticable hang fires when using light loads of 4227 without a filler in the 45/70.

[quickdtoo]

14.2 grains unique with poly filler and 300 grain cast bullet with 1 groove
lyman calls for 14-16 on the powder.
today on 5 shots i had a 3 in. group
on 4 shots 2.5
on the last three it was 1.5 with 2 shots touching.
i thought i would increas the powder on the next five to 15 grains.

Bullet size is critical in H&R 45-70s when shooting cast bullets, the shallow rifling requires bullets that are .001"-.002" larger than groove diameter, all of mine shoot very well with .459"-.460" cast bullets, slug the bore using the info in the FAQs and proceed accordingly.

Tim

[stimpylu32]

char

Try the 15 grain load with out the filler , I have used as little as 8 grains with just air between the powder and bullet with good results , and as Tim said , you need to size the bullets larger than your bore by .001 to .003 depending on the style and hardness .

stimpy

[knight0334]

Is 12gr of Unique enough to fill the case to the point of consistent ignition?

I think theres too much unused case space.   A filler or wad might help.  Also settling the powder to the primer and keeping the cartridge aimed upwards even while in the chamber until you fire will help too.

[stimpylu32]

knight

That is one of the great things about Unique in a case like this , its not poshion sensitive , you can carry the rifle muzzle down for miles and pull up & shoot , the bullet hits the same place as if you had carried it muzzle up all day .

I keep all my ammo in boxes bullet down and have not seen any diffrence in the way they shoot , I have even taken a few rounds at the range , tapped them in the side of the bench to settle the powder to the primer and no diffrence .

stimpy

[knight0334]

ahhhh..  thats good to know.  ..never used Unique before.

[happydog]

Hey Stimpy.   You are spot on regarding the use of Unique.  I have not had powder position problems with it or 2400 with many loads and calibers.      HOWEVER......  I find that charges of Unique will quickly  cause leading if loaded too hot with plain based bullets.  2400 is a bit more forgiving.  As in my first post, if I keep bullets relatively soft (1-20), velocity around 1200fps, I have a clean bore and great accuracy.  Regarding fiber fillers, for me that is a no-no.  A ringed chamber or barrel throat is much too likely.

Sure hope the dang-blasted wind quits blowing this weekend  !!!  I want to try some new lead bullet loads in my 30-30. 

Happydog         

[dk17hmr]

Get some Trailboss.  I use it in my 45-70 for light cast bullet loads, it is bulky enough that you dont need a filler, and there is almost no way to get a double charge in a case.

[blackpowderbill]

I have been real happy with a Lee 500 gr Cast WW slug over 13.2 gr Unique. I use no filler and have had no problems because of it. I think Unique is easy enough to ignite that case position is not a big deal. The chrono'd velocity on the mentioned load is 1039fps from a 22 inch barrel.
Due to the amount of lead it uses however I am thinking of working up a load for a lighter bullet. I have had good luck recently with a 300 gr WW slug over 60 gr of Goex FFF and a greased wad.