45-70 Report

[Reloader]

Loaded up my first rounds for the 45-70.  Put 42.1 grains of IMR 4198 behind a Sierra 300 grain HP/FN.

Only loaded up six rounds but quickly discovered at the bench that they were shooting higher than factory loads at 100 yards.  

I put up another target with a lower Bull on it and they were still high off the paper.  At 50 yards I finally put one 4" high but right on for left and right.  

Either something has shifted in my set up or else this load is more potent than the Federal factory load.

Adjusted my scope down 4 inches and will try again some other day.  :eek:

[Lone Star]

Your bullets are landing high because your handloads are slower than the Federal 300s.  They stay in the barrel longer and by the time they exit the muzzle is pointed higher.  That load should be fairly close to Federal specs (1880fps) from Hornady's loading data, but the only way to know is to chrono them.

[Bullseye]

Hope that is an Encore, because that is a pretty stout load for a Contender.

[Lone Star]

Not really.  Sierra lists up to 43.2 grains behind their 300 HP for Contenders.    Hodgdon lists up to 55 grains of H4108 at pressures not over 27,600 CUP.   H4198 and IMR4198 are not the same powder, but they are not that different.

Like all reloaders should, I assume that the original poster worked up to that load....

[sageman]

is the kick on the 45 70 as light as say the 35 rem or anything like that?

[Reloader]

I haven't shot any across the chronograph yet but judging from recoil I would have to say this load is as stout if not stouter than the factory load.
I might just back off a bit on the next go round 'cos I really don't have an elephant problem around here.  Cases looked okay and primers looked normal after shooting.  I would think that the factory stuff would have to be loaded down somewhat for use in older rifles but that is just supposition on my part.  I got the load out of the new Sierra manual for single shot pistols and still had some room to go before reaching max load.  I am still, as always, open to any opinions and suggestions as long as its legal and my wife doesn't find out.  The latter being more important.
I did notice quite a bit of muzzle flash with this load and am thinking that a slower powder would only make it worse, but there was quite a bit of room left in this case after the powder was added.

[Reloader]

I've not shot the 35 Rem but it is decidedly more pronounced than the 30-30. :eek:

[Lone Star]

is the kick on the 45 70 as light as say the 35 rem or anything like that?

In equally setup guns there is just no comparison with factory loads.  Heat each one up to max and the .45-70 is even worse, IMO anyway,  I'm talking 14" barrels, 200- and 400-grain bullets, scopes, Pachmyers and brakes.  The .30-30 is a pussycat in comparison....

Recoil can be a poor indicator of velocity.  If the factory used 30 grains of a fast powder and you used 42 grains of a slow powder, the heavier charge would - in most cases - feel heavier.  But the recoil is another reason that the handloads impact higher - even with idendtical barrel time, the more heavily recoiling load will kick the muzzle higher when the bullet exits.

[Whelen35]

I like the load of 54.0 gr of H322 and the 300gr bullets. it hits hard and will get the job d0ne right now.  I hve found that a barrel either likes or dose not like H-322.  The loads with the 300's are pussy cats compaired to the 400's