45-70 Loads?

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mrcooper

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What is your favorite 45-70 load fer Marlin guide gun?? what powder and how much per bullit weight thank you
 
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I use 350 gr. cast RNFP, with 44.8 of RL-7 (1725FPS). Fun plinking load.
I also use the 350 cast RNFP with 14.0 gr. of Trailboss (1075FPS). Funner plinking load.
 
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I just started loading for mine. A 300gr Rem.JHP o/ 53.5gr of 3031 gives just under 1700fps & printed a very nice sub 1 1/2" group @ 100yds w/ the 2x scout scope. I was impressed, pretty good fro a short bbl. lever gun.
 
I don't have a 45-70 lever gun, but I have found IMR4198 to perform very well in my Ruger No. 1. I like the 300 grain Sierra with 36.5 grains at 1520 fps.
 
.45/70 Loads

I've done my best in my guide gun with hunting loads using a 350gr CJLN (Rem) and RL7. I also load up to the 430 gr gas checked Laser Cast with RL7. Works the best for me and I've tried several powders. 100 yard accuracy is excellent.
 
One of these loads will nicely handle anything that walks the face of the earth. They are all that I load anymore in my 1895GS.

.457 Cast Round Ball CCI 200 Primer 10.6 grs. Winchester 231 1150 FPS
405 gr. FP Cast CCI 200 Primer 27.0 grs. Accurate XMP5744 1209 FPS
405 gr. FP Cast CCI 200 Primer 48.0 grs. IMR 4198 1953 FPS
460 gr. WFN CCI 200 Primer 44.0 grs. IMR 4198 1817 FPS

The 10.6 gr. load can also be used with the 200 gr. SWC or 255 gr. SWC, sized .452" or .454". Accuracy is pretty decent at close range even with the undersized bullets. The heavy 405 gr. and 460 gr. loads are safe in my 1895GS in hot weather but you might want to reduce accordingly and work up for your rifle. The 405 gr. FP Cast at 1953 FPS took my last deer, shot through the heart at about 60 yards in thick brush, and I didn't even have to chase it after the shot.

Dave Sinko
 
On the Hodgdon load data site there are 3 different listings for the 45-70, for Trapdoor, Leverguns and modern rifles. I've found 4198 or 3031 to be the best 2 powders for loading most 45-70 rounds.
 
Here is the load that performs best in my Marlin Lever action..
45-70, 405 gr. Cast (MBW) H322, 49.0 gr WLR or CCI-200, 2.550

IMR4198 works great as well..
 
350 gr cast lead over 46 gr of RL7; excellent accuracy and the recoil is not at all as punishing as with 3031, IMO.

Noah
 
I don't recall how much powder I'm using, but I'm getting right at 2100 fps. from Remington 300gr. JHPs over a hefty charge of 3031 in my Guide Gun. It kicks a bit, but not nearly as hard as Randy Garrett's loads! I'm also using 3031 under my heavier bullets, but I like 4198, also.
 
Try a 405gr Hard Cast bullet over a starting charge of 49gr IMR3031. That's for your Guide Gun, not a Trapdoor. If you would prefer a jacketed bullet use a 350gr JSP bullet over 57gr IMR3031. (again, not for a Trapdoor rifle)
 
.45/70

420grn. Lfn gc, 51.0grn. H-322 Win. lr primer.Right at 1978 f.p.s. Kicks like a mad mule but boy does it shoot! I,ve killed a few whitetails with this load, it will shoot through at any angle!
 
45 -70 Loads

If you like the ballistics of the 3031, I suggest you try RL-7 also. With comparable loads I felt the RL-7 a softer recoil, a much cleaner powder, with equal results. May be my imagination, but once I tried RL-7, I haven't gone back for dozens of loads. My GG is the early ported version. FWIW, have taken wild boar with my loads and amazed my fellows with accuracy. Not for the faint-of-heart, but lots of fun to shoot.
Some folks mentioned 5744. It's a wonderful load for plinking. I use it exclusively in my 1886 Browning replica.
BTW, aside from my Model 29, this is my favorite firearm. It would be the one I would choose if I only had one choice. With a Lee Loader kit, I'm good to go.
 
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