45-70 loads and bullets

[sharps1863]

Not a lot of people shoot 45-70 but it seems it has dried up and disappeared like everything else. Have fun with your Uberti.

[Coal Creek Griff]

I've held off commenting because I know that there are those with more experience than me, but it seems that my experiences might assist here.

I started loading the .45-70 in 2005 when I bought a Miroku 1886 rifle.  I had Reloder 7 on hand and I knew that it was one of the recommended powders for that cartridge.  That gun has a rather strong action, so I felt that I could go above the loads recommended for the 1873 Springfield rifles.  I started with Remington jacketed bullets, but switched to lead when I started casting in 2008.  I haven't fired a jacket bullet in that caliber since.  I started with Lee molds in their 405 grain hollow base and 500 grain pointed versions (single loading the pointed bullets in my 1886).  I later purchased a Lyman 457193 mold when I damaged my 405 grain Lee mold.

In both cast and jacketed bullets, Reloder 7 has worked really well for me.  I was able to step up the velocity to over 1600 fps in my 1886 rifle with no issues and great accuracy.  I also have slowed it down for some practice rounds, although I kind of like the sore shoulder and bruising that comes with full charges.

Last year, I bought a Pedersoli Sharps through Gunbroker, and I really enjoy shooting it.  Mine has the 32 inch barrel.  My 1886 has gotten a lot less use since I got the Sharps.  I use bullets from both of my molds with it.  If I step up the velocity too much in the 500 grain mold, the bullets tend to keyhole.  I also backed off the powder charges from what I use in my 1886 to keep the pressures down a bit.  For lighter loads, I use 35 grains, which with the 405 grain bullet (which is closer to 415 with my alloy) gives me 1360 fps.  That’s pretty close to BP velocities, so that is kind of a standard load for me.  If I push it up a bit, the velocity is closer to 1500 fps.

I've used IMR 3031 with this cartridge too, and it works fine, but I've bought my Reloder 7 in 8 pound kegs, so I tend to save my smaller quantities of 3031 for other cartridges.

I'd be very careful about using relatively fast burning powders like Unique in the large .45-70 case.  It can be done safely, but I feel that there are better choices.  I haven't used it, but 5744 is also a popular choice.

Those are my experiences.  I love shooting both my 1886 and Sharps rifles and I've found it a great cartridge to handload and cast bullets for.  I know you'll have fun with your new gun!

CC Griff

[Southpaw]

So now an update. I have reloader 7 and reloader 10x coming. What do you guys think good/safe loads for an Uberti Sharps with 405gr bullet should be? Thanks,Southpaw

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[Ranch 13]

I think it best at this point you either invest in a few good reloading manuals. See if Alliant has any data on their webpage for those powders , or contact them for load data.
 Also a subscription to www.loaddata.com may be a good investment.

[Southpaw]

I have the latest Lyman guide and the Alliant sight shows loads for both RL7 and RL10x. I was just asking for any experience in an Uberti Sharps for these powders for best performance and safety. I have loaded thousands of 45 colt but never 45-70......Southpaw

[Trailrider]

I have loaded 43 gr RE#7 behind a 405 gr Remington JFSP, seated to the bottom crimp cannelure. This produced 1650-1730 ft/sec from a 19" chrome-moly-steel bull barrel in a M1886 reworked with a M71 breechblock & locking lugs. Pressures ran in the 31,200 psi range, measured with an Oehler M43 PBL system.  Load kills at both ends, even with a recoil pad installed!

I have also loaded 48 gr. of IMR 3031 with the same bullet and also loaded both with #457483GC cast bulllets.

Of these two powders, RE#7 will meter more consistantly due to smaller grannule size.  It might be interesting to try Varget, but I haven't had the time to experiment with it.

I CAN ASSUME NO RESPONSILITY FOR THE USE OF THE ABOVE DATA IN GUNS OTHER THAN MY OWN, AND MAYBE NOT EVEN THEN!

FOLLOW LOADS LISTED IN RELOADING MANUALS!

[Big T]

Here is my favorite load for my martini with a pedorsoli barrel (24 in )  ,32.5 grains of 4198 with a 405 gr hollowbase cast bullet ,I turn my bullets on a lathe after casting them from .462 down to .459 an change almost 460 , I lead the bullet out to the midst of the first lube ring with light to no crimp , at 100 yds it will produce solid 2 in groups or less on a 10 in target , open sights

[Deadeye Don]

I plan to reload 45-70, cast 405 gn bullet using R7.  Anybody have experience with loads using these componants?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I plan to reload 45-70, cast 405 gn bullet using R7.  Anybody have experience with loads using these componants?

Look at trailriders post above. He used jacketed bullets, but you can substitute a cast bullet with slightly lower pressure so it should be safe. I use 4895 personally, but 3031 is an old favorite in published data, and R7 has a similar burning rate to 3031.

[Deadeye Don]

Look at trailriders post above. He used jacketed bullets, but you can substitute a cast bullet with slightly lower pressure so it should be safe. I use 4895 personally, but 3031 is an old favorite in published data, and R7 has a similar burning rate to 3031.

So maybe start at around 40 gr and work up if needed?

[PJ Hardtack]

There are a lot of good powders for the 45-70.  Some of my cronies use 4198. Lately I've switched to 5744 for both 45-70 and 50-70.
I've also had good results with 3031 and Varget.

The trick with the 45-70 is to avoid turning it into a sub-.458 Magnum. That takes the joy out of it PDQ!

[Coal Creek Griff]

Look at trailriders post above.

I also posted above about using R7.  I have found it to work well in my two 45-70 rifles.

CC Griff

[Trailrider]

There are a lot of good powders for the 45-70.  Some of my cronies use 4198. Lately I've switched to 5744 for both 45-70 and 50-70.

The trick with the 45-70 is to avoid turning it into a sub-.458 Magnum. That takes the joy out of it PDQ!

I forgot to mention when using the load I listed, be sure your M1886 has a shotgun buttplate with a rubber recoil pad! If you have a steel crescent buttplate with that load, you may want to be on friendly terms with an orthopedic shoulder specialist! 

[Coal Creek Griff]

be sure your M1886 has a shotgun buttplate with a rubber recoil pad!

Hear, hear!  Mine has the crescent buttplate.  With strong loads, having it positioned just right and holding it tight is painful.  Getting it off by a couple of inches is downright hellacious!

CC Griff

[PJ Hardtack]

Read my post #1723 above ,,,,

My '86 is an early Browning without the rebounding hammer, with crescent butt plate.

I've dropped two moose with it, using BP equivalent (Trapdoor) 45-70 smokeless loads and 405 gr bullets. One dropped in his tracks, t'other and much larger, went 50 yds before piling up. Heart shots both.

I forgot to mention when using the load I listed, be sure your M1886 has a shotgun buttplate with a rubber recoil pad! If you have a steel crescent buttplate with that load, you may want to be on friendly terms with an orthopedic shoulder specialist! 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

So maybe start at around 40 gr and work up if needed?

Cast bullets have less bore friction than jacketed, thus the pressure is less if you switch to cast. As PJ says, stick to BP equivalent loads for most purposes.

[BadWind]

4198 has been my favorite wether 350 JHP or cast 405 or or cast 500 FP, it just works

[El Coyote]

Howdy Pards!

I just started reloading for my Uberti Sharps. My amigo told me he has had great success with Accurate 5477 so that is the powder I have been working with.

So far I have found that a 405 gr Lasercast Bullet with 25 grns of Accurate 5477. It is easy to manage recoil and can reach out to 400 yards, possibly farther but that is the max distance at my range.

[joec]

Howdy Pards!

I just started reloading for my Uberti Sharps. My amigo told me he has had great success with Accurate 5477 so that is the powder I have been working with.

So far I have found that a 405 gr Lasercast Bullet with 25 grns of Accurate 5477. It is easy to manage recoil and can reach out to 400 yards, possibly farther but that is the max distance at my range.

I just picked up a pound of 5477 and shot it behind some of the soft cast Badman bullets. I liked it for a target/plinking round as it has an easy recoil as you say. I would say a little more than Trailboss but less than 3031, 4198 or RL 7.

[Deadeye Don]

I have been unable to find any Reloader 7 powder.  Someone has recommended Accurate 2015 (which I can located in town) for my CSharps.  Anybody have any experience with this powder?