45-70 and Trail Boss powder

[tonygrz]

Hi,

I've been putting off buying a 45-70 due to recoil.  But I read in another post on this forum about loading trapdoor loads.  I did a search on this forum for loading Trail Boss powder in 45-70 but didn't find any info.  Anyone load Trail Boss in 45-70??  Do you like it??
How's the recoil??

I pulled up the IMR site and they have the 45-70 loadings for Trail Boss.  For the 406gr LFP, 13.0 grains of Trail Boss and you would get about 1000FPS.  That sounds like a light enough load.  Any advice???

Thanks for the replies in advance.

Tony Garza
tonygrz

[quickdtoo]

Use the search function for Trail Boss 45-70 selecting this forum, you'll get a few hits on previous discussions.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php?action=search

[BillinOregon]

Tony: For heaven's sake, you can load a .45-70 to be a gentle caress to as stout as you can stand. One of my favorite "plinker" loads was a modest charge of Unique under the Lee 340-grain cast bullet. Very mild, nicely accurate, and a load that a 12-year-old could shoot all day. Don't let recoil issues keep you from enjoying a .45-70. It is a wonderfully versatile round, and could scarcely be more historic.

[quickdtoo]

Here's a source of cast bullet data using other powders for low velocity 45-70 loads and lots of other chamberings..

Tim

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

[stimpylu32]

Tony

I shoot pounds of both Trail Boss and Unique in my 45/70 with the 405 grain cast bullets , not so much to reduce recoil ( that it does ) but to give me more shooting per trip to the range . Your sholder will only take so many full power loads were the lighter ones I can shoot all day .

I have run both loads over a Chrono and the TB loads are running a full 300 + fps slower than the same charge weight of Unique out of a 22" Handi rifle .

The TB loads will compair with a 2 1/2" 410 shell as far as recoil goes . 12 grain loads will run 1125 fps with Unique and 750 fps with Trail Boss .

By all means don't let recoil keep you from enjoying the 45/70 , they can be loaded from mild to wild depending on what you want .

stimpy

[Ranger J]

With a load of Trail Boss and a 300 gr OT cast bullet I can shoot as long as the daylight or my ammo lasts.  The only problem I have with it is that it leaves dirty brass to be cleaned up before the next shooting.  The accuracy is excellent!  While I have not shot it at deer it is accurate enough and the 300 bullet is wide enough that if I made a  good shot it would do the job.  I did shoot one last year with the 300 gr bullet and a light load of 2400 at about 60 yards and it went right down.  While the 45/70 can be loaded to kill on both ends I have past that point in life where I feel that I need to prove my manhood by the amount of pain I can stand.   I loaded up some rounds at Marlin level with Re#7 and 300 Rem HP and they left an exit wound that I could stick my fist in.  Way too much bullet for white tail.  I may use that same bullet this year but it will be at trapdoor level.  The 45/70 is a great cartridge especially in a single shot like the Handi.

RJ

[tonygrz]

Thanks a bunch for all the great info on the 45-70.  And thanks quickdtoo for the reloading site you recommended.  I was so impressed by the great advice that I ordered a Handi rifle in 45-70 - wooden stock.  As soon as I get it and find a nice 2.5X scope for it, I'll give you a range report.

Thanks again,

Tony Garza
tonygrz