Good powder for the application. I burned some of it when I was first loading for a guide gun. Do yourself a favor - follow published load guidelines.

 

Good powder for the application. I burned some of it when I was first loading for a guide gun. Do yourself a favor - follow published load guidelines.

Of course I always obtain information from multiple sources including from people that have used a powder.

 

I think you might have a problem finding published info for that particular bullet weight. I didn't spend a lot of time looking but I could only find data for lighter bullets and a bit of data for a heavier bullet but nothing for that specific bullet.

Or, maybe you have a source that I don't. That's certainly possible because I don't load 45-70.

Richard

 

Of course I always obtain information from multiple sources including from people that have used a powder.

The reason I said that is because there is a lot of really BAD load data for re7 and the 45-70. I can find data where folks are putting 49gr behind a 405gr jsp - and that yields a pressure close to 60Kpsi.

Not sure if the powder formulation changed, or if people wised up because somebody got their loads tested. But you won't find any 45-70 loads with more than 44gr pushing a 405gr jacketed or cast.

You really need a chronograph. When you get to 1900fps from an 18.5" barrel - that's far enough. 2000fps from a 22" barrel. Personally I would look for 1700-1800fps.

Since I don't know what you are shooting, it is hard for me to give a recommendation. It certainly isn't a good powder for playing around with an old trapdoor.

Joe at RealGuns has some load data and his stuff is sane. Paco Kelly and buddies have some insane load data. Be careful.

 

The reason I said that is because there is a lot of really BAD load data for re7 and the 45-70. I can find data where folks are putting 49gr behind a 405gr jsp - and that yields a pressure close to 60Kpsi.

<snip>

Joe at RealGuns has some load data and his stuff is sane. Paco Kelly and buddies have some insane load data. Be careful.

In looking around for published loads, I came to the conclusion that RL-7 might not be a highly recommended powder. Published data just doesn't seem to be readily available, at least not for that particular bullet.

As to "BillyBob's Internet Handload Data": No way in he**! If the data isn't provided by a bullet or powder manufacturer, it just isn't credible. Just because it didn't blow up "BillyBob's" rifle doesn't mean it is safe anywhere else.

Richard

 

Guys, I'm no .45-70 expert, but any reloading manual shows you three sets of data. Like many cartridges that were originally designed for black powder, the limitation is often the strength of the action in which it will be fired.

First group is for Trapdoor Springfields. This is normally the type of loads you'd find commercially, as they have no idea what you'll be shooting with.

Second is for Marlin 1895-type actions. Little hotter.

Third / semi-nuclear set of data is for falling block actions and single shots.

Stronger actions can use lighter data, but not the other way around.


So... what are you loading for? Lever gun?

 

Lyman 49 says reloader 7 has been a long time favorite for .45-70.

Lyman's #457193 (405 grain) cast with #2 alloy data:

For 1873 (Trapdoor) Springfield:

Reloader 7 - 37.0 grains start, 39.0 grains max. 1,578 fps from a 24" universal receiver (all use rem brass and rem 9-1/2 primer).

No data for RX7 and this bullet in the 1886 Winchester & 1895 Marlin section.

In the "Ruger #1 and #3 only section, they list 46.0 - 51.0 grains, topping out at 1,996 fps from the same reciever.


Strange they have no data in the middle, but what dla posted earlier makes a heck of a lot of sense. If indeed you are shooting a lever gun, I'd start with the trapdoor data and see if it whomps your shoulder enough. Move up cautiously from there.

By any chance are you dealing with a Microgroove barrel (it will be stamped on the barrel)? If so, I'd keep velocity under 1,600 fps.

 

I will be loading for a C-Sharps with a Badger barrel.

Plenty tough enough I think. Thanks for the replies so far guys. Much appreciated.

 

I guess I should mention that Re7 is a great powder for 45-70. It's the fastest of the Alliant stick powder series and it has been in use a long time. Meters really well for me anyways from a Lee Perfect. Similar burn rate to the 4198-series powders.

The 45-70 doesn't have enough case capacity to make use of slower powders normally, but you can load to a longer COL for your Sharps. I'm thinking you can go 2.7" (2.55" is the norm for leverguns). And casters make bullets just for you. You get a little more room which makes a slower powder work better.

But, you Sharps-guy usually run at blackpowder speeds probably not breaking 1400fps even with your 30+" barrels. Seems like most of you guys aren't looking for 2300fps 405gr loads.

Anyways, given the powder shortages nowadays, Re7 is an excellent powder for your Sharps.

 

Ok, I have been unable to locate any Reloader 7. Someone has told me that Accurate 2015 is a great powder for 45-70. Again I will be using a 405 lead flat nose bullet to shoot out of my CSharps. Anybody have any experience with this powder?

 

Reloader 7 in the .45-70 is a GREAT powder to use.

I use it, loading for both the Marlin 1895G and 1895CB.


With a 405 grain Cast Performance LWNGC boolit, the RL-7 yields very good velocity and FANTASTIC accuracy out of my rifles, with lower pressures than say, IMR-3031 and/or H-4895.


Here's a GREAT write-up on cast boolits in the .45-70:
http://www.realguns.com/archives/117.htm

Other cast boolit data for the .45-70:
http://www.realguns.com/loads/4570cast.htm

I'm using 40.0 grains of RL-7. The accuracy is fantastic and it's easy on the shoulder. The velocity is right at 1660 fps.

Step up to 42.5 grains, and it's still very accurate, but, after 5 to 10 shots, you're DONE.

I did NOT want to go to the max load (listed) at 44.0 grains.
Guaranteed.... these old bones and teeth would be rattling with that thumper!!!

That 40.0 grain load anchored a 365 lb wild hog out of my Guide Gun, at about 20 yards. The hog's hide rippled like a rock dropping into a pond, and the hog dropped dead, where it stood. Boom. Thump.

 

Interesting info. I was not aware of the RL-7 being a favored powder for the 45-70 and glad to hear it.

I've used RL-7 in a .223/5.56 and in a 22-250 for some high high end performance and been very pleased with the accuracy of both.

I have a 1895CB with the 26" tube and have been shooting 405g slugs with H322 for 1980fps. And as has been mentioned at that velocity the recoil keeps you shooting for need and not for pleasure. Devastating performance and it should be.

Thanks for the heads up on using that powder with the 45-70.

 

Interesting info. I was not aware of the RL-7 being a favored powder for the 45-70 and glad to hear it.

I've used RL-7 in a .223/5.56 and in a 22-250 for some high high end performance and been very pleased with the accuracy of both.

I have a 1895CB with the 26" tube and have been shooting 405g slugs with H322 for 1980fps. And as has been mentioned at that velocity the recoil keeps you shooting for need and not for pleasure. Devastating performance and it should be.

Thanks for the heads up on using that powder with the 45-70.

Good luck finding it. :crying:

 

Good luck finding it. :crying:

Due to my fondness for this powder in my .223's I've got a full 8 lb jug and an almost full 4 lb jug and a couple of one pounders purchased about 5-6 years ago at righteous prices.

Thanks for your concern.