.45-70 Powder Selection

[LubeckTech]

What powders are good for .45-70? I use 4895 for 30-06 and am considering it for this application. How suitable are powders like unique or Blue Dot?

 

[snuffy]

A lot depends on what rifle you're loading for. All 3 will work for some applications, at different velocity levels. Most loading manuals have three sections in them for 45-70. The low pressure loads for the 1873 Springfield, the mid level loads for the lever guns, and the high pressure loads for the Ruger #1 and bolt guns. Again all 3 of your powders will work for any of the 3, just a different power levels.

Unique will provide a soft shooting load with light bullets for target loads. Blu-dot will provide slightly higher power loads. The 4895 will provide full power loads, there's better powders than 4895, but it will work.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I only load full power loads for my two 1895 Marlin's. For those, I use IMR 3031 and Varget. Both seem to give about the same performance.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[LubeckTech]

Rifle I'll be loading for will be H&R Buffalo Classic and will be shooting out to distances of about 200 yards.

 

[PO2Hammer]

If you're target shooting with lead bullets, you have to try Trail Boss. It fills the case up nicely (Unique will be lost in that cave), and has good velocity consistancy.

If you're hunting, you'll want more velocity.

 

[TonyT]

A lot of powders work in the 45-70 depending on the gun you are going to sahoot and the bullet weight. The older guns require lower pressure loads. I use a light looad of Unique behind a 405 gr. Lead cast bullett in my old Win Modle 1886 for 50 yard plinking and local matches.

 

[Jim Watson]

FFg is usual, though a lot of target shooters think Swiss 1 1/2F is best.

 

[Ranger J]

I use Re#7 with 300 Gr & 405 Gr jacketed Marlin loads and 2400 with 300 Gr cast trapdoor loads with good results.

RJ

 

[JustsayMo]

I like SR 4759. Fills the case well, produces good velocity/grain (up to Levergun Levels), burns clean and has proven most accurate in 45-70 cast bullet loads.

 

[steveno]

Unique and 2400

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

4198, 3031 and reloader 7 are good choices for the 45-70.

 

[tbtrout]

I like IMR 4198 for heavy loads, and Trail Boss for light ones.