Reloading .45-70

[wiiawiwb]

I'm thinking about getting a Marlin 1895 levergun in .45-70. Not looking to go nuclear. Just want a good woods gun that is also fun to shoot at the range. Before I but it, I'd like to find out more about reloading for it. I am relatively new to reloading but have reloaded about 1,000 rounds of .45 Colt for my Rossi 92 (and Ruger Toklat) . A few questions:

1) Would I need to buy gas-check bullets only?

2) MBC makes a 405 gr RNFP coated bullet. Would this be ok to use in a .45-70?

http://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=205&category=20&secondary=36&keywords=

3) It seems that even though it is a rifle round, it looks more akin to reloading a pistol round. Is there anything different about reloading this, or any other steps involved, than reloading for the .45 Colt?

4) The Lyman manual lists 7 different powders. Any one better for mild to moderate loads?

 

[Don McDowell]

Reloading the grand old cartridge is very similar to loading a handgun round, only longer..
No experience with the MBC bullet, but any good solid base bullet will do just fine.
5744, rx7,4198,3031 and 4895 are all good powders for the 45-70. You don't need to ram the thing up any to make it affective. After all it was the 405 gr bullet trotting out the barrel at about 1300 fps that kept the thing alive and well for over 100 years until it became "discovered" again.

 

[BullRunBear]

I treat 45-70s like any revolver case but must lube the cases because there isn't a carbide die for it as far as I know. Never needed gas checks even with wheel weight cast bullets let alone brinnell 18 hardness. That RNFP should work fine in a lever action. There are plenty of powders that work with the cartridge and can give powder puff loads to buffalo killers. The 45-70 is very versatile.

Both my rifles are single shots. I usually reload 45-70s with black powder these days but many folks don't like the extra effort in cleaning the cases that's required.

Jeff

 

[stoky]

The .45-70 is easy to reload and fun to shoot. Trajectory like a rainbow though. I've had the best luck with 3031 powder. IMO, pistol powders in that cavernous case aren't the way to go, but it's popular for soft shooting plinking. Gas checks would be good if your going with hot loads. The 405gr bullets should work fine.

 

[TruthTellers]

Seeing as how someone brought up .45-70, I figure this is good a thread as any to ask.

I've been wondering about this round as I would love a .45-70 Rolling Block replica. Because it was a bp round, how far can you push it with smokeless? Which rifles can take hot .45-70 rounds?

 

[bobinoregon]

Get the 95 Marlin, you'll be glad you did. You can shoot any properly sized cast bullet. I shoot both powder coated and regular lubed cast bullets and both work fine, never needed a gas check. 45/70 is great rifle to reload for, there's a wide range from trapdoor to upper Marlin level loads to try.

 

[BullRunBear]

I have an old Navy Arms Rolling Block replica with a bull barrel. It will handle any modern standard ammo and isn't restricted to black powder pressures. I suppose there are loads that are too much for a rolling block action but I use cast bullets so I'm never tempted to hot rod the reloads.

Jeff

 

[dirtman]

I use a 95 Marlin guide gun.... what a blast (really)...... its a great gun for hiking in the bush in bear country.... I load it fairly hot with a 350 hornady which is really good out to 200 yards... you can load them up or down and it is a bit much on gophers but fun just the same.....

 

[cpt-t]

wiiawiwb; My and I both shoot Marlin 1895 45-70`s two are 26in barreled Cowboy Models and one is a 24in 1/2 round & 1/2 Octagon barrel model. We Cowboy Shoot, Hunt pigs and deer, Plink, and shoot steel and paper targets. All three are very accurate, and just great to carry. I have been reloading for the 45-70 for many years now. And if You can load 45LC`s for your 62 Rossi you can load 45-70`s for Your 1895 Marlin. The 1895 Marlin will take some pretty stout 45-70 loads, but I find them uncomfortable to shoot very often. The load we use for everything 95% of the time is 35grs of IMR3031 and a Hardcast 405gr LRNFP bullet, with standard Large Rifle Primers. Never tried any Gas Checked bullets, really don`t think we have ever needed them, never have had a leading problem. This is a very accurate, and a very comfortable load to shoot. We are getting 1260fps to 1360fps with this load. And We have always gotten full penatration on any pig or deer we have shot with them. We are both real 45-70 fans and shoot them a lot.
TruthTellers: I shoot a Pedersoli Sharps and a Perersoli RollingBlock in 45-70 and I use the same load. I have been told several times the neither rifle will not take the very strong loads that the 1895 Marlin 45-70 will take.
ken

 

[TruthTellers]

Now that I think of it, a .45-70 coming out of a 30" barrel should be going fast enough to not need to be loaded hot.

Thanks anyway cpt-t

 

[dh1633pm]

I too have a Marlin in 45-70. Its a Guide Gun and a good shooter. For hunting I use factory ammo, Hornady Leverevolution. I load mostly 300 grain copper jacketed Remington's or 300 grain FNFP Lead. AA5744 is my favorite for both. I have also used AA3100 (out of production). I did load some with Unique that were very light loads. Power, and then two squares of toilet paper to hold it down. Accurate and light to say the least. The rifle stays true for windage no matter what the load. Adjust for elevation depending on your load.

 

[Wis-Harpo]

98 mauser 45-70

In 1984 I had a Siamese Mauser re-barreled to 45-70 by E.R. Shaw. In the 70's a lot of Siamese Mausers were being sold in 45-70's, and most of them were crap. But a good one can be loaded to Ruger #1 pressures. The new Hornady 325 grain flex tip shoots pretty well, but not as good as the discontinued Hornady 350 round nose. Mine has a 26 inch barrel with as much wood left on the stock as possible, and is pretty heavy. I never weighed it, but it is heavy enough to absorb some of the hotter loads. It is very accurate with bullets 325 grain and above, but the rifle will not stabilize the lighter, shorter bullets.
.

 

[BigBore44]

I too have a JM 1895. And I shoot the MBC #1 Buffalo (405gr) out of it. 16 grains of Unique is actually a very pleasant round to shoot. And will still go end to end on just about anything you encounter. I also have loads for H4198, IMR3031, IMR4895, and a few others. I got most of my starting loads off the dangerous (no joke) Internet. Then worked up. If you are thinking about getting one, let me give you some advice..... Stop thinking and go buy one. If you are going to shoot cast boolits, the latest Lyman reloading manual is HORRIBLE. I wasted my money. Get an older edition. Someone here will know which one is the best, and when they tell you, I'll get to reap the benifit also. Also, get a chronograph. Don't waste your time trying get max loads. They are NOT needed unless you want to play some good pranks on your buddy's shoulders. The 45-70 loaded to max loads will kill on both ends.

 

[stoky]

I've been wondering about this round as I would love a .45-70 Rolling Block replica. Because it was a bp round, how far can you push it with smokeless? Which rifles can take hot .45-70 rounds?

IMO, Rolling Blocks shouldn't be loaded hot, <28,000 psi. Some reloading manuals have tiered .45-70 loads, and Rolling Blocks are the lighter loads.
Ruger #1s and #3s are probably what you want if you looking to load hot.

 

[dh1633pm]

stoky, I have a No 5 in 45 Colt that I load a little hotter. If I had an original 45-70 I wouldn't do the same.

 

[TRX]

> rainbow

...but still quite accurate.

Unlike flat-shooting cartridges, you must know your drop tables and be able to estimate range accurately if you want the first round to go where you want.

 

[Fatdaddy]

Be careful when selecting a bullet.
My Marlin doesn't like some of the big flat meplate cast bullets available.
It likes to get hung up when cycling the action.
Nothing major just not real smooth. I can usually get it to feed with a little extra effort.
(just something to think about before ordering a thousand or so)
I run jacketed stuff almost exclusively now.
The off the shelf stuff from Winchester and Remington are pretty tame but still have plenty of speed for just about anything that needs killin'.
Like some others have said, there's really no need to hot rod it unless you just enjoy the punishment of the heavy hand loads.

Hodgdon has some CRAZY hot load data for lever actions only, last time I looked.

I loaded a few with this data and it would kick the fillings out of your teeth.

 

[SlowFuse]

I use the 405 MBC Buffalo lead for reloading. I like the way it shoots.

I've loaded it from minimum trapdoor levels to max lever-action loads. The midrange trapdoor level loads shoot best out of my M1895 with all powders used.