45-70's three different power levels.

[rockquarry]

My own conclusions about 45-70 loads is that life is too short to want to pound myself to death with Ruger strength loads. Even the high end Marlin and 1886 loads can hurt.
Any trapdoor strength load that will consistently hit on target at 100 yards will kill anything that is hit right and sure as won't kill the shooters shoulder when at the range. And remember, practice makes perfect. Hard to do when it involves self torture!

John

I've had several .45-70s in the last thirty-five or more years. I never loaded a jacketed bullet in any of the guns. A cast bullet of the right alloy for the load will do all the cartridge was intended for and then some.

I tried many loads and several bullet designs and found the cartridge to be quite accurate in most guns. I somehow lost interest in the .45-70, now much preferring my single shot .32-40, .38-55, and .405 Winchester rifles. I have one remaining .45-70, a Shiloh Sharps that I bought more than thirty years ago, and that will soon go the gun show route along with a few others.

One can learn a great deal about handloading and cast bullets with the .45-70 and it's fine hunting cartridge. I can't imagine why anyone would load the cartridge hot. Recoil really takes the enjoyment out of any cartridge. If you have a propensity for recoil, at least consider something that shoots flat.

 

[grice]

I'm not new to reloading, but I am fairly new to loading for 45-70. I understand to start low and work up. Today I was cross referencing my Hornady 9th Edition reloading manual, and my Lyman 49th Edition manual. Hornady list max pressure of the trapdoor loads at 25K CUP vs Lyman showing a max of only 18k Cup. Hornady list 40K for the 1895 vs Lyman showing a meager 28K. Then Hornady list 50K for Ruger only where Lyman shows 40K. According to Hornady I could use the Lyman Ruger loads in my Marlin. Its interesting to note that where Lyman uses a universal receiver for all 3 levels but Hornady used each prospective firearm for their testing. I'm not interested in trying to push the limits but I just don't know where the limit is. Anyone else find the huge discrepancy in power loads odd?

The general recommendations are to hold the Marlin to 40k in pressure , hodgdon data for leverguns max loads are pretty close to that. I have the Marlin cowboy and use those loads a lot. Now if you have a browning or Winchester 1886 that’s a whole new ball game, I believe that is the strongest leverguns action on earth. I could start 500 arguments by saying I believe those rifles will handle ruger only data all day long for lunch and dinner!

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Looked up my notes on the loads I tried with my Uberti Hi-wall sporter, a fairly light rifle at under 7 lbs.
47.8 gr of 3031 with 405gr jacketed. Around 1700+ fps and upwards to 37,000 C.U.P per the Lyman 47th ed. That was top end for the 1886 and Marlin lever guns. All I can say is ouch!
The upper end for trapdoors with the same powder is 39 grs 3031, and with Lymans 385 gr cast at 1400 fps at 17000 C.U.P. About 50 fps lower with the jacketed 405 gr.
I prefer 12 grs Unique with tthe 385 gr cast in my carbine and old Remington rolling block. Both will ding the 8 inch gong all day at 100 yds without the pain.

Certainly one of the more versatile cartridges out there. And a historic one to boot.

John