45-70, RL-7 and 405 gr Woodleigh results

[Lennyjoe]

I’ve been working up a reload to us for an upcoming black bear hunt in Canada in August. Decided to use the Marlin 1895 with a 22” barrel in 45-70. I chose the 405 grain Woodleigh bonded weldcore bullet for maximum penetration. Finally got a chance Friday to shoot outdoors at a local range since most have been closed due to COVID restrictions.

Weather was sunny skies, 82 degrees, light wind and elevation was 1,050 ft. Reloader 7 was my powder choice since it shot well with 350 grain Hornady Interlock bullets out of this rifle. New Starline brass with WLR primers. I started at 2.540 OAL for these loads to put the roll crimp in the crimp groove. A Prochrono Pal was used at the range and targets were set at 100 yds.



Here’s the results:
405 gr Woodleigh bullet
Starline brass
WLR primer
45.5 gr RL7
1761
1780
1775
1773
1784

46.0 gr RL-7
1796
1789
1792
1792
1796

46.5 gr RL-7
1802
1811
1814
1808
1807

47 gr RL-7
1841
1831
1829
1828
1844


Started to get a little loose with my breathing and trigger control on the end but I think I have something I can massage to bring the groupings in a little better.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Bottom right target was from a buddy trying out the 350 grain interlocks so disregard those impacts...lol

 

[Iggy]

Put them in the boiler room and they should do the job.

 

[ericuda]

At 1800 they will go straight through 3 or 4 boiler rooms.

 

[792mauser]

oof
That'll get er done.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Will make a great elk load for Az as well. Most of the elk I’ve taken were under 100yds in relatively thick cover.

 

[horsey300]

I’ve been working up a reload to us for an upcoming black bear hunt in Canada in August. Decided to use the Marlin 1895 with a 22” barrel in 45-70. I chose the 405 grain Woodleigh bonded weldcore bullet for maximum penetration. Finally got a chance Friday to shoot outdoors at a local range since most have been closed due to COVID restrictions.

Weather was sunny skies, 82 degrees, light wind and elevation was 1,050 ft. Reloader 7 was my powder choice since it shot well with 350 grain Hornady Interlock bullets out of this rifle. New Starline brass with WLR primers. I started at 2.540 OAL for these loads to put the roll crimp in the crimp groove. A Prochrono Pal was used at the range and targets were set at 100 yds.

View attachment 919188

Here’s the results:
405 gr Woodleigh bullet
Starline brass
WLR primer
45.5 gr RL7
1761
1780
1775
1773
1784

46.0 gr RL-7
1796
1789
1792
1792
1796

46.5 gr RL-7
1802
1811
1814
1808
1807

47 gr RL-7
1841
1831
1829
1828
1844

View attachment 919187
Started to get a little loose with my breathing and trigger control on the end but I think I have something I can massage to bring the groupings in a little better.

I like your 46 gr load curious where the the stray came from though?

 

[Lennyjoe]

I like your 46 gr load curious where the the stray came from though?

Me too! I’m actually loading another group in 46 grains for this weekends range visit. Gonna see if it was the load or the shooter....

 

[ms6852]

Nice grouping, seems that the 46.5 to 47 is the node your rifle likes. I hope you get to make your hunt but am worried with the new bill the Prime Minister just passed in lieu of the shooting that occurred. I believe a lot of rifles are now illegal to include shotguns. Have you heard anything knew?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Not that I’ve heard. Wanted to take the .50 Beowulf but since it’s an AR variant that’s a no no in Canada. Looks like I’ll be ok with the lever action 45-70 though

 

[Lennyjoe]

Nice grouping, seems that the 46.5 to 47 is the node your rifle likes.

I had to verify again when I got home and the 46 gr load has 3 rounds grouped together out of the 5.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

Looks like all groups have 3 really close and 2 away.

I'd bet the 2 fliers in each group are from the flintchitis kicking in?

405 @1800 is brutal IMO.

 

[Texasgrillchef]

Just curious is there a reason you chose that bullet?

i have a marlin 1895 SBL 18”, I am using for hunting, RL7 and a Lehigh defense solid copper 325gr XD with 44g and chronographed 10 rounds with an average of 2046fps, I also use a LD solid copper 380gr flat nose, with 45gr of RL7 with an average of 1886fps.

Both of which I use because many areas are starting to ban lead for hunting, and both can easily kill just about any animal on the planet.

the felt recoil on both is a lot less then factory loads of remington or Winchester 400/405gr loads.

I mainly hunt hog, in thick brush at 50-100yards, these seem to fly straight through thick brush with no deviation.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I originally started with Hornady Interlock in 350 grain but had several THR members recommended a better bullet for black bear. So I decided to go with a bonded welcore bullet and the Woodleigh had good reviews. Since I’m on the bears food chain I’d prefer to have a bullet that will penetrate and not come apart. I’ll give a post hunt report on its performance when I get back in Sept.