Anyone have a light load for 45-70. I have one I really love but with some lighter loads would not have to go into shoulder rehab before every shoot - actually it is not that bad but a real safe,real light load could let hang in there a lot longer at the range - any help appreciated - jb

I've had good results using 12 grains of Unique with one grain of polyester pillow stuffing over the powder then a 420 gr cast bullet. Should give you velocity of 1050-1100 fps. Accuracy in my 1895G is as good as any other load I've tried, and I can stand to shoot all I want.

Thanks - yours is the second one I've heard using unique - may have to research this more - also heard about a guy using 2400 and some other pistol powder but lost my data on those - if I find it will post - thanks - jb

My Lee book lists a load using 16.5 grains of Blue Dot under a 300 grain bullet for about 1100 fps. I've been using it in my 450 Marlin, and it is really gentle.

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm
Awsome site - really helpful - thanks Jackfish and you other guys too - now maybe I won't beat myself up next time out to the range - jb

11-12 grains of Unique with any cast lead 300-400 grain bullet has shot very well for me, 24 grains of 2400 along with a 300 grain cast lead or jacketed bullet also shoots well. Both are mild loads that don`t recoil very much.

My light loads are:

14-16.5 grs Trailboss for 1199-1285fps with 300 gr lead,
12-13 grs Trailboss for 971-1007fps with 405gr lead,

28-31 grs AA5744 for 1405-1597 fps with 300 gr lead, &
24.3-27 grs AA5744 for 1226-1394 fps with 405 gr lead.

I shoot these loads through both my Marlin 1895, and my Springfield 1884 Trapdoor. None of these loads require filler/dacron. Very fun for plinking, and listening to the gun go off, and then hearing the target getting hit!!

whizzum

Source: THE COMPLETE RELOADING MANUAL FOR THE .45-70 GOVERNMENT, Copyright 2004 by Loadbooks USA, Inc, 18826B Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, CA 91351, Phone (661) 250-8502.

I am reloading for my Marlin M-1895.

Page 38, Powder: 4350 (IMR). Low-end list is 50.4 gr (1297 fps), with 56.0 gr (1474 fps) on the high end.

Bullet: 405 gr home cast (LEE bullet), plain base, w/ .45 card cut for use directly below the bullet. I use this card for the purpose of keeping the fire (at detonation) off the plain lead base. It helps to keep the rifling cleaner from leading. I have noted very little leading using this process.

Primer: WLRM-----Winchester Though, "WLR" was the primer listed, I normally use a magnum primer, and keep the powder load at a lower charge.

I use IMR-4350 because it completely fills my brass, right to the base of the bullet when properly seated. I have limited my powder weight to 51.5 gr, and I believe my mv is about 1332 fps, 1596 ft/lb energy and RSP of 247. This load is very easy on the shoulder and I routinely shoot 100 rounds in just a T-shirt without it being too uncomfortable. Accuracy appears to be very good at 100 yd, although I haven't put the bullets "on paper" as yet. I have consistently taken golfball sized pieces of broken clay pigeon at 100 yd with this load, however. This load appears to be very promising for taking any large game on the NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT!

If you are into bullet casting, try the gould 330 gr lyman bullet. It is a hollow point and really lends its self to light recoil light loads. B.C.

The IMR 2006 reloading book shows two loads using Trailboss powder.
300gr cast LFP 14gr 1199fps 14,400CUP---Max load is 16.5gr.

405gr cast LFP 12.0gr 971fps 24,500CUP---Max load is 13.0gr.

I HAVE NOT shot either of these loads, but they are listed under cowboy loads.

FYI

Dave

The IMR 2006 reloading book shows two loads using Trailboss powder.
300gr cast LFP 14gr 1199fps 14,400CUP---Max load is 16.5gr.

405gr cast LFP 12.0gr 971fps 24,500CUP---Max load is 13.0gr.

I HAVE NOT shot either of these loads, but they are listed under cowboy loads.

FYI

Dave

I have tried these and had great results! Here's a thread I started about it:

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=31610

My light loads are:

BTB 452gr piledriverjr
starline brass
26gr 2400

BTB 325gr fn gc
starline brass
14 gr trailboss

Only problem I have with the last load is it shoots way higher than my sights are regulated for, and I don't change my sights around once I get them settled in.

I would have to spend some time at a 300yd range to discover their trajectory.

The 425 is my favorite load, except for bear country; it definately has less momentum than my piledriver load.

Grizz

My favorite light load is 11 gr of RED DOT under a 405 gr cast bullet. Burns VERY clean and is accurate. I got the load data from GMDR.com

My 22" barreled Marlin 1895 throws em out a ~1040 fps and it will shoot sub 1" groups at 50 yards. They shoot 2-1/2" higher (and slightly too the left for some reason) than the same bullet pushed by IMR 4198 to ~1400 fps.

At 100 yards it will keep them under 3" (open sights, mid forties eyes).

Mild recoil and report.

In my Marlin Guide Gun with 18.5" barrel pushes them out 20 fps slower (1017 fps avg) and not as accurately 1-1/2" to 2". POI is still 2-1/2" high at 50 yards vs. my IMR 4198/405gr bullet zeroed at that range.

It is a good load to introduce new shooters to the 45-70. Fun plinking round too.

My favorite light load is 11 gr of RED DOT under a 405 gr cast bullet. Burns VERY clean and is accurate. I got the load data from GMDR.com

My 22" barreled Marlin 1895 throws em out a ~1040 fps and it will shoot sub 1" groups at 50 yards. They shoot 2-1/2" higher (and slightly too the left for some reason) than the same bullet pushed by IMR 4198 to ~1400 fps.

At 100 yards it will keep them under 3" (open sights, mid forties eyes).

Mild recoil and report.

In my Marlin Guide Gun with 18.5" barrel pushes them out 20 fps slower (1017 fps avg) and not as accurately 1-1/2" to 2". POI is still 2-1/2" high at 50 yards vs. my IMR 4198/405gr bullet zeroed at that range.

It is a good load to introduce new shooters to the 45-70. Fun plinking round too.

I have some red dot on the bench - am going to try some 11.0 gr loads with a 350 gr fp bullet I have - just want to know if you use any filler, wads or? or just load em up and go shooting - thank - jb

I have some moly coated cast 300 gr fp and am going to try some light loads with red dot - will let you all know how they turn out - jb

I have some red dot on the bench - am going to try some 11.0 gr loads with a 350 gr fp bullet I have - just want to know if you use any filler, wads or? or just load em up and go shooting - thank - jb


No filler. Just be extra carefull not to double charge.

Well I got to the range today and tried the 11.0 gr red dot loads - very nice - hardly any recoil and noise not bad compared to the full house load I used in comparison - the accuracy was not the best - but plenty good for plinking - fwiw - jb

No filler. Just be extra carefull not to double charge.
Thanks wetdog - will keep that closely monitered - jb

What rifle are you using?

My 22" barreled 1895 shoots these great but my Guide Gun does not.

I tried 5.5 gr of Red Dot under a 170 gr cast bullet in my 20" barrel 30-30 and it shot like a 22 and was accurate too. Didn't chronograph it but the www.gmdr.com load data says a little over 1,000 fps.

What rifle are you using?

My 22" barreled 1895 shoots these great but my Guide Gun does not.

I tried 5.5 gr of Red Dot under a 170 gr cast bullet in my 20" barrel 30-30 and it shot like a 22 and was accurate too. Didn't chronograph it but the www.gmdr.com load data says a little over 1,000 fps.

I'm shooting a Win 1886 light - carbine version - new model and it likes the 350 gr fp but my other is a Marlin 1895 half round half oct barrel - longer barrel LTD V. It is fond of the 300 moly coated fp cast bullets but generally is more accurate all around - both shot high at 100 yards - not like the others with 47.0 gr imr 4895 loads at about 1400 fps. The 350 gr bullet won't cycle in the Marlin either - the lead protruding out of the jacket hits the barrel opening as it is trying to be extracted - it will shoot them and eject ok but not unfired cartridges.
I think I'll try your 3030 load in my old 336 adl - sounds fun and I love these old long barreled lever guns - thanks - jb