I have a h&r trapdoor reproduction that I reload for. I want to load with unique but the only book I have with it is lyman 49th in the tc section. They don't show what pressures the load created so I'm not sure about using it because of that. I would like some published data for this load. I'm open to other powders. I already reload with trailboss so I'm good there. Thanks for the help.
45-70 load data for unique
- Thread starter S.billy
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au_prospector
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I have an H&R 1873 officer's trapdoor replica circa 1972
Hey Billy,
You might be better served with a basic stick rifle propellant, not Unique. IMR 3031 is readily available and the price is going down approaching pre panic levels. My experience is this, load at your own risk.
Nice trap door level straight out of Lyman 49 uses below...
Berrys 350 grain plated flat nose over 40 grains 3031 produces touching cloverleafs at 50 yards using the tang peep and unshrouded front sight standard with the rifle. Group lands 2 or 3 inches left of PoA.
Berrys 350 grain plated flat nose over 43 grains 3031 produces ALMOST touching cloverleafs at 50 yards using tang peep and unshrouded front sight standard with the rifle. Group lands exactly PoA.
I have not yet tried a better quality bullet. I want to load up some 300 grain jacketed HP's and shoot 100 yards but no time yet. Besides, the loads above I am happy with and have no motivation to play around further. I might even try deer hunting with it.
Hey Billy,
You might be better served with a basic stick rifle propellant, not Unique. IMR 3031 is readily available and the price is going down approaching pre panic levels. My experience is this, load at your own risk.
Nice trap door level straight out of Lyman 49 uses below...
Berrys 350 grain plated flat nose over 40 grains 3031 produces touching cloverleafs at 50 yards using the tang peep and unshrouded front sight standard with the rifle. Group lands 2 or 3 inches left of PoA.
Berrys 350 grain plated flat nose over 43 grains 3031 produces ALMOST touching cloverleafs at 50 yards using tang peep and unshrouded front sight standard with the rifle. Group lands exactly PoA.
I have not yet tried a better quality bullet. I want to load up some 300 grain jacketed HP's and shoot 100 yards but no time yet. Besides, the loads above I am happy with and have no motivation to play around further. I might even try deer hunting with it.
au_prospector
Member
Another thought, please dont try to download Unique to trap door levels. The T/C level load in Lyman is way too hot for even a modern trap door rifle. There must be a reason Lyman did not publish soft Unique loads else they would for Unique is very popular.
You could always do black powder or a black powder substitute in these rifles, I feel that would be fun.
You could always do black powder or a black powder substitute in these rifles, I feel that would be fun.
Sunray
Member
Most manuals don't give pressures for any cartridge. You have no way of checking pressure anyway.
"...published data for this load..." What load?
My old Lyman book gives 11.0(890 fps) to 15.0(1223 fps) of Unique for a 405 grain jacketed. 10.0(1048fps) to 15.0(1335fps) for a cast 385 grain. 9.0(892fps) to 13.0(1114fps) for a cast with gas check 482. 9.0(844fps) to 12.0(1012fps) for a cast 552 with gas check.
There's a bunch of Trail Boss data on Hodgdon's site. Cast bullets only.
"...published data for this load..." What load?
My old Lyman book gives 11.0(890 fps) to 15.0(1223 fps) of Unique for a 405 grain jacketed. 10.0(1048fps) to 15.0(1335fps) for a cast 385 grain. 9.0(892fps) to 13.0(1114fps) for a cast with gas check 482. 9.0(844fps) to 12.0(1012fps) for a cast 552 with gas check.
There's a bunch of Trail Boss data on Hodgdon's site. Cast bullets only.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Alliant Unique is a little fast burning for the 45-70 cartridge so I doubt you will find any good load data using it. For light loads in 45-70 using bullets in the 300 to 325 grain range powders like IMR 4227, VihtaVuori N-120 and N-130, Alliant RL-7, IMR3031 come into play. IMR 3031 mentioned above is a good choice. If You want to duplicate the original black powder loading less black powder Pyrodex CTG is popular. I just don't see Unique working out for you.
Ron
Ron
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
1970 Lyman #45 shows the following Trap-Door loads with Unique.
405 Jacketed = 11.0 start = 890 FPS / 15.0 MAX = 1223 FPS.
385 Cast = 10.0 Start = 1,048 FPS / 15.0 MAX = 1,335 FPS.
482 Cast GC = 9.0 Start = 892 FPS / 13.0 MAX = 1,114 FPS.
552 Cast GC = 9.0 Start = 844 FPS / 12.0 MAX = 1,012 FPS.
That should get you started.
rc
405 Jacketed = 11.0 start = 890 FPS / 15.0 MAX = 1223 FPS.
385 Cast = 10.0 Start = 1,048 FPS / 15.0 MAX = 1,335 FPS.
482 Cast GC = 9.0 Start = 892 FPS / 13.0 MAX = 1,114 FPS.
552 Cast GC = 9.0 Start = 844 FPS / 12.0 MAX = 1,012 FPS.
That should get you started.
rc
highlander 5
Member
If you can find it Accurate Arms 5744 is another powder that you might want to try as it's a very good powder for reloading a lot of the old black powder cartridges
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