Greetings,

First post here.  Wondering if anyone has used Hodgdon's new Benchmark powder for loading the 45-70 in Marlin lever guns.  I am contemplating trying it with LBT 440 grain cast bullets.  I want to try to max out (safely, of course) the velocity of this bullet in the Marlin - standard 1895 SS with ballard rifling.  

Thanks in advance and a great site here I might add.  Sorry I didn't find it before.  

By the way:  Does the Beartooth, 450 grain .458 cast bullet function in the Marlin?

Thanks,

redleg

P.S.  I assume all responsibility for loads fired in my guns.  I know sometimes it's hard to share specific data.

Not YET!!!  We're finishing up testing for our new reloading manual, and I hope to have put a quantity of Benchmark through many cartridges!   The .45-70 and .444 are on the top of the list... more when we are done, but nothing I can report now... hang on!   There's lots to come, but nothing just now!

God Bless,

Marshall

Mr. Stanton,

Thanks for your interest.  Looking forward to your results.

God Bless,

redleg

 hello,

I see the  you'll have mentioned benchmark, I have heard that it works best with heavier bullets.  I  AM presently looking into benchmark for use in my 50 Alaskan.  And from what I've heard, and from the people I have talked to  it seems to work great.  I have heard that people are getting 2000 fps with a 525 gr. gas check bullets in 50 Alaskan, so I would to assume  that it would also work great in  the 4570 with heavier bullets

Gentlemen,

I've also looked into using Benchmark in the .45/70. *So far I havent found much information other than this from Hodgdon:

Firearm: * * * * * * * Marlin & Ruger
Case: * * * * * * * * * Winchester
Primer: * * * * * * * * CCI 220
Bullet: * * * * * * * * *Speer 400g SP

Start: * * * * 55 gr * * * * * *Max: 58.5 gr
Velocity: * * 1856 fps * * * * * * * 1986 fps
Pressure: * 29,600 cup * * * * * 40,000 cup

I have yet to try any cast bullets, because the local supply is inferior and I am still waiting for my first shipment of BTBs. *Benchmark, in other another caliber that I shoot, has been superb--consistent metering and consistent velocities.

Enjoy!

Smith

Here is a set of benchmark data I worked up a while back.  Been meaning to post in on Loadswap but just haven't gotten around to it.  There is also some h322 data.  

From what I can tell, Benchmarck is a little too slow to get the best velocities from a 405gr bullet.  I'm sure it will do really well with the mid-400 grain range.

45-70 Loads

All loads used:
Brass - Starline
Primer - Rem 9-1/2
Bullet - Remington 405 gr
Gun - Marlin Guide Gun - 18-3/4" barrel - 3x9 scope
Data from 5 shot groups. Velocities are average of the five.

54 gr Benchmark - 1848 fps - Group < 1"
55 gr Benchmark - 1881 fps - Group < 1"
56 gr Benchmark - 1911 fps - Group < 3/4"
All loads perfectly safe.

52 gr H322 - 1847 fps - Group < 1 - 1/4"
53 gr H322 - 1903 fps - Group < 1/2"
54 gr H322 - 1937 fps - Group < 1 - 1/2"
54.5 gr H322 - 1954 fps - Group < 1"
At 54.5, the brass was slightly sticking in the chamber. This is too hot for my taste. I definely like that 53 gr load.

Hope you find this useful or at least, interesting.

H 322 IS THE BEST POWDER FOR 45/70 , ESPECIALLY WITH 350+ GR BULLETS. RE 7 RUNS A CLOSE 2ND. BENCHMARK IS REAL CLOSE TO H322 IN TERMS OF BURN RATE, PROBABLY WILL WORK OK..