opinion on a 45-70 load with benchmark

[Bullseye]

I ended up going to the gun shop and picking up a lb of Hodgen Benchmark. It's all they had that I could use on hand.

According to the data these are the loads.

Hodgen Benchmark Powder

Starting load for 300 gr LFP is 54 gr Max 58 COL 2.465 CCI 200 LR primers
Starting load for 385 gr LFP is 50 gr Max 53 COL 2.505 CCI 200 LR primers
Starting load for 405 gr LFP is 47 gr Max 50 COL 2.540 CCI 200 LR primers

I found this info for trapdoor model 45-70 rifles. No lever action info but I have a Marlin Guide Gun.

I am thinking that I can load these 325 gr .458 hollow point bullets to something like this

51 to 53 gr
Hodgen Benchmark Powder
CCI 200 LR primers
COL 2.540
Trim Length: 2.100

How does this sound to you guys? Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

Should be plenty safe enough in a Marlin.

Hodgdon shows lever-gun loads using Benchmark.

350 JRN
56.0 - 60.0C.

400 JFP
55.0 - 58.5C.

The only question is, if you will get enough pressure for a good burn with a lighter grease lubed bullet with a reduced load like you suggest using.

I'd call Hodgdon and ask them tomorrow though!
Just to be safe.

rc

 

[Kosh75287]

NOW, I'm FOLLOWING you!

I think I may be confused. You have data for a Trapdoor Springfield that gives you a charge weight range of 54.0 to 58.0 grains, but you want to load charges below this (51.0 - 53.0 grains), and shoot them out of a Marlin Guide gun?

I don't know what would prevent you from doing it, but why would you under-load rounds for a rifle capable of handling higher pressures? Did you mis-enter some numbers in your question, perhaps?

Okay, sorry. NOW, I see what you're asking. If you interpolate the charge weights for the 300 and 385 grain projectiles, you get 55.5 grains as a starting weight for a projectile weight (ALSO interpolated) that runs almost 20 grains more than the ones you intend to use. I'd EXPECT 55.5/Benchmark/325 LHP to be quite safe, and by extension, your 51.0 - 53.0/Benchmark/325 LHP loads should be, also.

The point that someone made about a load combination having enough pressure for bullet obturation and bore sealing deserves some consideration.
But since you are using Trapdoor Springfield-like data in a modern lever-action, I think you can dismiss any concerns about bending a firearm.

And I'm gonna blame my initial failure to understand the question on that darned old 17th scotch & water that I had to choke down, in the interests of national security.

 

[Bullseye]

I think I'll try 55 grains of Hodgen Benchmark after getting these two helpful responses. Thank you very much!

 

[dirtman]

Got the same gun and love it for a good walk in the woods up north... (Canada) summer....I have been using the Hornady #4503 350 grn fp interlock, good accuracy and has plenty of punch…. with 56 grns of H4895 have used 57 grns but seems a little harder on the brass (starline), this was from the hodgdon site sometime ago.. that site list up to 59 grn of h4895 for that bullet. That site also showed benchmark @ 56-60 grns for the hornady 350 grn bullet, showing 60 grns benchmark @ 39,300 cup with max at 40,000 cup for that action. Benchmark has a much higher pressure curve then H4895… have fun dirt

 

[Bullseye]

Thanks Dirtman ... replied in the pm

 

[rcmodel]

What does any of that data have to do with the OP's question concerning his 325 grain cast lead bullets????

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I ended up going to the gun shop and picking up a lb of Hodgen Benchmark. It's all they had that I could use on hand.

According to the data these are the loads.

Hodgen Benchmark Powder

Starting load for 300 gr LFP is 54 gr Max 58 COL 2.465 CCI 200 LR primers
Starting load for 385 gr LFP is 50 gr Max 53 COL 2.505 CCI 200 LR primers
Starting load for 405 gr LFP is 47 gr Max 50 COL 2.540 CCI 200 LR primers

I found this info for trapdoor model 45-70 rifles. No lever action info but I have a Marlin Guide Gun.

I am thinking that I can load these 325 gr .458 hollow point bullets to something like this

51 to 53 gr
Hodgen Benchmark Powder
CCI 200 LR primers
COL 2.540
Trim Length: 2.100

How does this sound to you guys? Thanks!

Looking at the data from Hodgdon I think your charge weight with that 325gr Cast bullet should be 51.0gr to 55.0gr of Benchmark. As for the OAL, your bullet will dictate that.

Since Hodgdon doesn't supply load data for cast bullets in the higher pressure range meant for leverguns I checked my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook but unfortunately they don't use Benchmark for any of their 45-70 load data. (all 3 pressure ranges and all bullet weights) Sorry...

My observations are, the max charge for the Trapdoor is the starting charge for the levergun so I'm sure that 55.0gr load is safe when shot from a levergun and probably a little more. Don't forget the range report when you shoot that bullet in the levergun. It looks like serious deer/bear/big hog medicine!

 

[Bullseye]

I will surely report results. It may be awhile but I have normally followed up in my previous posts on such matters. I think these might be interesting bullets when I get em loaded and shoot em.
I am sure I am going with 55 gr Benchmark to start.

 

[Bullseye]

OK I have finally gotten around to making 5 rounds

They cycle in the Marlin Guide Lever Rifle.
325 Gr Lead alloy HP
55 Gr Benchmark
OAL 2.541

They look worse in these images than in hand. The die makes a couple rings on the bullet.
I am very confident in my powder weight. The bullet itself may sit better another few hundredth's deeper but I have a moderate crimp. I am going to make a few with 12 grains of UNIQUE and seat the bullet a little deeper.

I think these should be OK. Any comments?

 

[Bullseye]

Shot 1 of each today, first the 12 gr Unique and it was quite mild for recoil. Rather pleasant and I am going to load up a batch of 13 gr Unique.

The 55 gr Benchmark load was too much for me, but I kinda expected that. I have 4 more cartridges that I am not nervous about as far as function goes but I really don't want any more of that. May be a stout load in a 1895 45-70 Marlin lever Guide Gun, but I just didn't enjoy it.
I am even thinking of pulling the bullets. There is some specks of powder up the barrel after the Benchmark. I would be more comfortable not doing that load again.
I think that a couple grains less would be a much better load and still within the min/max range. I think I'll just use the Benchmark for some other cartridge.

Both the cases looked fine after firing, no leading to speak of. The results of using these bullets were pretty much what I had expected. I didn't shoot these so much for accuracy but I did hit a 10x10 target at 35 yards, the rifle did not suffer any.
Next batch, I will do some serious bench shooting and show the results and target images.