pointy bullets in 45-70 handi

[workin man]

I bought a synthetic handi in 45-70 this past Thursday. It's my first Handi as well as my first 45-70. I also bought a box of factory loaded  Hornady Leverevoltion 325gr ammo, but havent had a chance to try it yet. I did do some searching on the net though and found that this ammo is loaded in brass shorter than SAMMI (sp?) spec, so that it will feed through the Marlin tube mags. I plan on reloading for this rifle and I'm wondering if these bullets can be loaded in standard length brass for the handi. Also looking for load data for these (I have the Hornady 6th edition manual that pre-dates these bullets) .  I am also considering the Barnes TSX in either 300gr or 350gr (spitzer, flat based, not the flat nosed ones), so load data for either of those would be appreciated as well. Also any experience good or bad with any of these bullets or suggestions of other bullets and or loads also appreciated. I have IMR 4198, 3031 and 4895 on hand, but can get just about anything else as well. Intended use is moose and black bear out to 200yds.

Thanks in advance for your help, Jim

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard Jim!    Hornady has data on their website for the FTX bullets, you won't find any in the Ruger level tho, it's not built that well, if you want a stout spitzer bullet for hotter loads, the Barnes 300gr TSX-FB is a good one, Barnes has data for it also. You can load the FTX in regular brass, you'll have to see how long you can load it in your rifle, but it doesn't need to be crimped so it doesn't really matter.

Tim

http://www.hornady.com/ballistics/ftx_reloading_data.php

http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/45-70RugerNo1Web.pdf

[petemi]

The Hornady 325 gr. FTX bullets are available for reloading.  My Handi loves the factory ammo and so do I.  Recoil is very moderate and it handles anything I have here in Michigan.

Pete

[workin man]

Thanks for the quick responses. Pete, I think we have very similar hunting conditions, I'm in Ontario, Canada, a couple hours north of Toronto, half an hour north of Barrie if you know where that is. Tim, thanks for the load data, I was on both of those sites this weekend and didn't see either of those pages, guess I'm internet challenged. Nice group with the TSX 300's! What powder was that (not listed on your target)?

Jim

[quickdtoo]

H4198, my go to 45-70 powder, it works well with the 300gr Nosler partition at 2425fps too. 

Tim

[NFG]

RL-7, 4227, AA2015, AA2230, AA2460, AA2700, H335, H322, 4320, 4064, Varget, RL-15 to name a few more and used with different bullet weights.

My OEM BC liked H4895 with 300 gr Sierras and 4198 with 300 gr Hornadys or was it visaversa...pick a stout bullet, try a couple of powders from a loading manual or online and see how it works...You will have to measure to find how long you can seat out.

I like heavy bullets so I shoot 450-550 gr in my now 45-120 BC but those weights also worked well when it was a OEM 45-70...

Lots of pointy bullets to work with...lots of good powders to try...stay within safe limits...you can load to Marlin levels plus a little and be safe enough...have fun developing your rifle and loads...10% less pressure only looses you 5% velocity and usually gives you 100% better accuracy and kills game 100% just as dead.

Luck on your quest.

[cwlongshot]

H4198, my go to 45-70 powder, it works well with the 300gr Nosler partition at 2425fps too. 

Tim

4198 is also my favorite powder for the 45-70 heavy loads...I just prefer the IMR variety. 
 I like XMP5744 for the lighter stuff.

CW

[tykempster]

You could do a 350 grain H4198 load.  Probably 3300 fps?

[tykempster]

Sorry I was having 45-120 dreams again 

Try 2300 fps!