Today I shot some loads in my GG trying to find a good load for it, hopefully around 1900-2050 ( or higher) FPS.
The basic loading is:
350FP Hornady
Win cases
Win Large Rifle Primers
Distance: 50yards
Temp: Mid 30's
1-4X20 Leupold set at 4 power.
Powder: Varget 57.0 grs. to 60.0 grs.; in half grain increments.
results: 57.0 grs. round group not tight enough, about 2"
57.5 grns. similar to 57.0grns.
58.0 grns. 1.4" round group
Then I started getting verticle strings with 58.5 grns., 59.0grns., and 60.0grns.
When the stringing began I waited about 4-5 minutes between shots, to no avail.
I normally shoot bolt actions that are free floated and bedded. Could the band on the GG be affecting the group by verticle string? If so, what do you do when sighting in to stop or minimize string?
The strings for 59.5 was almost straight up. 60.0 was also verticle but slightly farther apart.
Flinching wasn't a factor since I had a Past pad on and a heavy coat.
Thanks for your help, Robie.
BTW, anyone know about what the FPS for the 58.0grn group might be?

I'm away from my data at the moment but the speed you are hoping for are a little high with Varget.
I'm going from memory but I think my load for 350's is 55 gr Varget CCI200 primers. The speed is only 1650+/-
It's an accurate load, clover leaf at 100 yds with a 2.75x Scout scope.
I could never get 1900 with varget. The loads you list would be compressed and I didn't want to go there. When you compress the load like that, do you get any unburned powder left in the brass? I get 4-6 kernels of unburnt powder in my loads.
I have used RE#7 to get to 1950/2000 with 350's but in that short guide gun it's too darn hard to hold on to! :eek:

The hunting load I've settled on is 405 Rem's at 1700 with50.5gr RE#7. For plinking I use 55 Gr Varget and Berry's plated 350's at 1650. If I wanted to use it for deer it would be good out to 200 yds. The 405 load is for Elk and It WORKS!! I knocked a 4x4 off it's feet at 50 yds in Nov.
I wont be back home for another week. I'll PM you when I can get to my data.

Cajun
PS I do have a chronograph.

Robie-

The best 350 grain load for my GG has been the following:

Hornady 350 grain FP (4503)
Winchester cases
CCI 200 primers
50.0 grains of Reloader 7
Velocity ave: 1985fps (Shooting Chrony)

I would have loaded lighter but as I increased the amount of powder, my groups got smaller. This load got 2 in one hole and one an inch away. Make sure you leave your fingers on the outside of the lever ring if shooting off the bench! I use a 1-4X Leupold scope and the group was at 100 yds.

The factory load Winchesters with the 300 grain Nosler produced a cloverleaf at 100 yds but the velocity was down to an averge of 1650fps.

Have a good day, Krag :)

Thanks NW Cajun and Krag, I'm going to take a look at RL7. Robie.

Ok using Varget, I found my sweetspot using Hornadys 350grFN on top of 57gr Varget, CCI mag primers, Lee factory crimp ,1850 fps, Shot cloverleaf at 100 yards benched and scoped,I had to get this load from Hornady,due to it was not listed, this is a compressed load, fills the case,leaves just enough room for the bullet, this was a mild load compared to the H4198 at 50grs 2180fps smoking, The Varget load I figured would be good for baited Blackbear hunt, Use the 50grs of H4198 load for Moose ect...Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Ok using Varget, I found my sweetspot using Hornadys 350grFN on top of 57gr Varget, CCI mag primers, Lee factory crimp ,1850 fps, Shot cloverleaf at 100 yards benched and scoped,I had to get this load from Hornady,due to it was not listed, this is a compressed load, fills the case,leaves just enough room for the bullet, this was a mild load compared to the H4198 at 50grs 2180fps smoking, The Varget load I figured would be good for baited Blackbear hunt, Use the 50grs of H4198 load for Moose ect...Aim small hit small. RAMbo.



Just to agree with what Rambo says, check and compare different powders with all other components the same and you'll find that H4198 will likely give you more velocity for less powder....probably why it also burns so clean.


The data I've pulled from comes from the complete reloading guide for the 45-70. Look in the "bullet" section and it will give the comparison tables.

350gr hornady x 2000fps really blasts!



Perferator

Out of my Guide I shoot a Beartooth (what else?) 405 gr. LWNGC. I use H322 powder, 54.0 gr. and I get a measured 1935.7 fps. Group size at 100 yards with a peep sight is 1.440 inches for 5 shots.
Switch to H335 powder and back off the throttle a bit to 56.0 gr. and 1837.5 fps and groups will turn in under an inch for 5 at 100 (.942").
With a lighter bullet like the 350 you might try either H322 or H335 if you want to break 2000 fps, but check the manuals first.

Ok, but what about the vertical 'stringing' of the groups? Is this due to the barrel getting warm and not being free floated? Or could it be something to do with the higher powder weights?

I use 44 grs of IMR 4198 with Remington or Starline cases, CCI 200 primers and the Hornady 350 gr FN for a velocity of 1800 as proven over my chrony. I have not found any unburnt powder in the barrel but after shooting tree rounds the shots will drop 3" and start another group. If I let it cool off after the first three rounds it will put the next three with the first three again. I think that between the barrel band and the magazine holder heating up is what makes this rifle do this. By the way out of my guide gun this load for the first three rounds will group at 1" or better often enough that I have complete faith in calling this rifle a moa shooter.

Hi Robie,

I was not there to see your vertical stringing but I suspect it may be related to the Varget powder. I'm not saying anything bad about Varget, but it is relatively slow for use in 45-70. The 45-70 has a large expansion ratio and operates at relatively low pressures. These chatracteristics mean that the 45-70 in general requires a powder that burns faster than Varget. Your velocity target certainly would require a faster powder such as RL-7 or the 4198s.

Live well

Hi Robie,

I'm assuming your loading for the 45/70. In my 450 Marlin, I like H322. It very consistent. As to vertical stringing, yes it could be the powder. I have also found that you really have to hold on to the gun. From the bench, bag placement and repeatability are critical. have someone watch the muzzle rise during recoil. It should be the same for each shot. Your barrel band can be checked. It should be a slip fit with no pressure on the barrel when tightened.

Take the barrel bands, mag tube, and forend off of the gun. Rest the front of the receiver on the sandbags and shoot it single-shot. That will tell you if you have a problem with those parts pressing on the barrel. Fixing it may not be so simple but at least you will know where to start.

On Varget..... yes it's a bit slow for the .45-70 and I'm surprised that it works as well as reported. However I'm using it in some very low-pressure loads with good accuracy in the .458 Win, so there is hope. You may also get some stringing if the velocites aren't real consistent, but the only way you'll know is with a chronograph. Should that turn out to be the case then you'll have some other avenues to explorer.....

Good luck.

Out of my Guide I shoot a Beartooth (what else?) 405 gr. LWNGC. I use H322 powder, 54.0 gr. and I get a measured 1935.7 fps. Group size at 100 yards with a peep sight is 1.440 inches for 5 shots.
Switch to H335 powder and back off the throttle a bit to 56.0 gr. and 1837.5 fps and groups will turn in under an inch for 5 at 100 (.942").
With a lighter bullet like the 350 you might try either H322 or H335 if you want to break 2000 fps, but check the manuals first.


Dude, how do you like the fireworks display with the 335??? :)


Vertical strings......I get the same with mine but not sure if it's consistant or my hold. Still not in a groove with the gun even with 120rds, I keep changing things with it. This spring will tell if it's me or the gun. With a 3shot group it'll put 2 up and 1 low but all 3 will split a hair.



Perferator

I am burning 56 gr. H4198 with sierra 300.Great load on deer and up.
For those that have a problem with the lever biting your finger, try wrapping the curve of the lever with a strip of leather lace. I started just behind the trigger and down aboutan inch or so down past the curve and tied it down..
This gets your hand back a bit and saves your finger apon firing.