Need a .45-70 load

Grayfox

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I've got a box of 350gr Lead RNFP bullets for the .45-70. Problem is that I'm having trouble finding load data for this particular bullet.
Anybody got a good load they'd like to share?
 
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I use a very mild load of Unique with the 405 gr. lead bullet - 11.6 gr. Unique. I have not chronographed it but it is slow and easy on the shoulder, good for 50 yard targets.
 
For lead bullets, I have found that Trapdoor loads are best and that IMR4198 is excellent in that regard. I suggest Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Manual; never had a bad load from Lyman.

Giving you a number of grains of powder is pointless. You gun is different than everyone elses and you can only tell what it likes by loading up sample groups of 5 loads each at and bench rest shooting them. For example, I like to use 50 round boxes for range testing. This gives me 10 groups of 5 rounds each, which I can load in 1.0 or 0.5 grain increments. I label each 5 or 10 round group with a sticky lable on the inside of the box and fire 1 target per group of shells. With a scope, I test at 100 yards. Without scope, I use 75 yards (due to my relatively old eyes). The idea is to see what the mechanical accuracy of the gun and load is. You can then retest when you find a group of targets where the group size is smallest, using a tighter powder charge increment. For example, if between 34 and 36 grains you get tight groups, retest with powder charges of 34, 34.5, 35, 35.5, 36.

Lots of people ask for loads during hunting season, but again, its pointless without testing. You are better off simply buying a box of factory cartridges than accepting someone elses load. And who knows, your gun might not like the other guys load.
 
The rifle is a Browning 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine. 22" barrel.
Yes, I'd like to keep the load at the Trapdoor level. It'll mostly be used for paper punching and my old shoulders ain't what they used to be. :rolleyes:
 
I always liked 70 grains of Black Powder. :)

I just loaded up some 405 hollowbase cast bullets with Hodgden Triple7 for a trapdoor. With the big bullets the case only holds 52 grains of T7 by volume
 
I have been using 13 grains of Traiboss with a 400 grain cast lead. Out of my Guide gun, I am getting 990 fps. For a 350 you might use another grain or two. You are welcome to try some of mine if you want. It fills about 75% of the case.
 
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