I have reloaded high-intensity bottleneck cartridges for years but have recently made my first Venture into the world of 45-70! I put together a bolt action rifle. I've had to invent a spring and follower to fit. Remington Factory ammo did not feed at all. I did find that Hornady leverevolution actually fed well and was pretty darn accurate. Federal ammo with a 300 grain bullet fed well enough to be usable. Now I'm trying to reload the brass and ran into a problem. It seems the only bullets I can buy are the 325 grain FTX from Hornady the ones I would prefer to use anyway. I loaded some in the federal brass they went together beautifully. Federal brass measured 2.095" about right. I ran into a problem trying to reload the Hornady leverevolution brass. It seems that brass is.060" shorter than SAAMI standard. Using h322 from the Hoghdon website results and a compressed load at the minimum load. I'm sure their load data is based on the full-length case. I could probably hunt around for more data or try different powders Etc but I was hoping someone on here has run into this and has discovered a better way. Thanks for any and all help!
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45-70 help!
- Thread starter rifle02
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I run 51gr Reloder 7 in standard brass with a little air space left over. I can run h322 in quickload if you will measure the case capacity in grains of water. Just weigh a primed empty case, then fill with water and weigh again. Post the difference and also post your COAL and barrel length.
I was a little worried that the decreased capacity would result in an increase of pressure. In standard length brass my coal is 2.650. In the shorter Hornady brass my coal 2.625 and that is barely at the bottom of the cannelure. The rifle has a 24-inch Barrel. I will have to pull one of the bullets to measure the capacity with water. But I will do that. As soon as the 458 bullet puller collet that I ordered arrives!
Case capacity is 74.6 grains of Water by weight. A c o a l of 2.600" should put me in a better place near the middle of the cannelure.
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Getting my variables together. You said the brass is .060 shorter than standard federal 45-70 brass which measures 2.095". So you are saying your brass measures 2.035" ? You want to use h322 ? Your target COAL will be 2.600 ?
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UPDATED There are several different load levels for 45-70 because the cartridge is so old and was originally a black powder cartridge. https://www.chuckhawks.com/45-70Govt.htm
I'm assuming that since you are already shooting similar ammo, that your gun is of todays 45-70 standards in pressure handling capabilities. For optimum accuracy, start .5gr under and work up in .3gr increments until .5 over. Look for tightest group.
H4198 load
IMR4198 load
H322 load
I'm assuming that since you are already shooting similar ammo, that your gun is of todays 45-70 standards in pressure handling capabilities. For optimum accuracy, start .5gr under and work up in .3gr increments until .5 over. Look for tightest group.
H4198 load
IMR4198 load
H322 load
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The brass varies but runs up to 2.040 compared to 2.100 the saami specs Max but figuring 2.035 is good. I have three levels of loading data based on type of firearm. But I want to reload this Hornady brass to use in a Siamese Mauser which can handle high-pressure. I also have H 4198 and IMR 4198 on hand. Yes I think 2.600 would be a good Target overall length. Thanks for any help you can be I really do appreciate it.
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I updated the loads as my barrel length got changed. The loads have been corrected.
thanks!
My dad likes the 300gr XTP HP. We have several lever guns. We have shot Hornady ammo in 45/70 and 444 Marlin. The brass is shorter and our guns didn't really like it. Both are Marlins from 1970's. The best factory ammo we have found in the 45/70 is Winchester 300gr JHP. As far as hand loads we have used AA 5744 and IMR 4198 with 4198 providing the best results.
