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Does anybody use 2400 in the .45-70?

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David Sinko

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I couldn't pass up a great deal on an 8 lb. keg of Hercules (yes, Hercules) 2400 powder. I love my magnum revolvers and such, but 8 lbs. is a lot of shooting and a lot of pain. At the same time, I am lamenting my limited supply of IMR 4198 for my .45-70. I just checked my RCBS Cast Bullet Manual Number 1 and was delighted to find that a charge of 32.0 grs. of 2400 lists 1578 FPS with a 425 gr. cast bullet. Has anybody ever used a similar load? I just cast some Lee 405 gr. FN plain base bullets. Is this kind of velocity too much for a plain base bullet with 2400? I'm not getting any leading with IMR 4198 and the plain base bullet but I don't know what to expect with 2400.

Dave Sinko
 
david i have been using the 4198 as well for my 45-70 and love it...as far as the 2400...i would call the manf.and see what they say
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 
2400 is a fairly fast powder for the 45-70 (I use H4198), so I think you're gonna have fun working up a new load for cast. I would start low and work up - paying attention for the good ol lube donut on the muzzle. I have not used 2400 in my 45-70, but it is fast enough that I think you can go right past a "sweet spot" with just a small charge change. I don't see a problem with Plain Base bullets at the 1600fps range - I run PB 405gr cast at 1800fps all the time.
 
Historically 2400 has been a commonly used powder for cast bullets in nearly any cartridge. Until fairly recently 2400 was the slowest powder Lyman listed in it's manuals in many cartridges, all bullet weights, including .45-70. You shouldn't have any problem using it. 15-1600 FPS should be no problem. Leading is a function of bullet fit and lubricant more than hardness or whether the bullet is plain-base or gas-checked. 15-16 Brinell is adequate for both magnum revolvers and rifles as long as bullet fit is proper.
 
I use 2400 in my Marlin .45-70 GBL for some nice soft plinking loads. I don't hunt but if you search on the marlin blog you'll find alot of loads using 2400.

My plinking/target is a nice soft 20gr. of 2400 under a 405gr Missouri Bullet LFN. I've not chronoed it, and I will probably experiment more. But it's a fun target load.

For more serious stuff I use RL-7, IMR4198, or H322.
 
My Lyman reloading handbook #46th edition, list #2400 powder from 22 to 34grs' depending on bullet weight & firearm type. Springfield trapdoor, winchester 1895, marlin, Ruger #1 & #3. I shot 2400 in a NEF .45-70 for years & it shot great & didn't tear my shoulder off.
 
I normally use Blue Dot for most loads like what you're looking for, but I don't see why 2400 wouldn't be just as good.

Here's a wealth of information on pistol powder loads for various rifle calibers that you might like to look at. Lever Gun Performance Studies The data is in the left sidebar.
 
40 Years with a .45-70 revised by Paul Matthews lists 2400 on page 119 as good for the 1500-1600fps bracket. Doesn't say much about it other than as a primer in a duplex load and as an equivalent for some Black Powder shooters.

I've never developed a real taste for it in any of my handguns.

Used to use a bunch of it in IHMSA 44 mag festivities, but was always fighting heavy leading. In those days I wasn't really up on the disadvantages of loads that produced such noisome irritants.
 
Thanks for all the references! The .45-70 can be loaded to handle anything from ground squirrels to charging rhino. I always liked this cartridge, and now I like it even more.

Dave Sinko
 
kennyb said:
david i have been using the 4198 as well for my 45-70 and love it...as far as the 2400...i would call the manf.and see what they say
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Click to expand...

The new manufacturer doesn't list any 2400 loads for the 45-70, but I've seen them in my 45-70 load book. I don't know what the old manufacturer recommends.

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

Here are some on-line load info I found:

Reloading the .45/70 Page

Good luck.
 
If you ever saw an old can of 2400 it was called "Hercules 2400 Rifle Powder" and it was one of the few rifle powders available. I know many reloaders who use 2400 in their 45-70 ammo and it works very well especially with cast bullets. It's not too slow a powder in that application. I'm sure several metric tons of 2400 has been used in the 45-70 over the past 80 years or so.

I just took a look at my Lyman #45 and with a 405gr Cast bullet they list a charge range of 27.0gr to 32.0gr 2400 with velocities of 1355 fps and 1582 fps from a 24" Universal Receiver.

Lyman #47 lists 2400 data for a 405gr JSP bullet but not lead bullets. The data is 22.0gr to 27.0gr 2400.
 
As mentioned earlier, this is cussed and discussed a great deal on the Marlinowners forum. I've used it for years, and probably have 5,000 of my choice load down the tube. I've heard of ringing a barrel with using pistol powders along with filler, so I've never done it. I just load 25gr. of 2400 with your choice of 400 to 420gr. bullet. I like Lyman's 457643. This gives me right at 1480fps and kills pigs and deer dead. Not the highest pressure round, and therefore pretty enjoyable. THis load will beat the factory Remington 405gr jsp round by 2 to 300fps.
 
I used 28 grains of 2400 and the Lyman 457483 (395 grains) gas check in my Ruger #1S for 1,528 fps. it was one of the very best shooting loads for this rifle. if you find some of the real old Lyman manuals from the 1950's you will find a lot of loads using 2400 in the 45-70. the loads will seem to be a little on the warm side but as long as you work up to the load you will be fine. I also liked using Unique although these were more for plinking loads. you should get a copy of "Forty Years with the 45-70" by Paul Matthews. if you load for the 45-70 you should have this book.
 
I used to use 2400 in my 45-70 and 475 JD Jones. My favorite light load was 24 grains of 2400. One afternoon I blew up my 475 JD Jones a 45-70 case necked to .475 using 458 bullets over 24 of 2400 to fireform the 45-70 brass to .475. Barrel split frame was destroyed scope was cut into two lug on the bottom of Barrel was blown off. Damage to me ? None except a sore hand. Investigation via JD Jones and the destroyed gun to include the errant brass implied detonation.
The powder was up against the bullet and not next to the primer....JMTCW
 
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