I've been reloading .308, 30-06, 45LC for a couple of years now and I'm going to start reloading 45-70, for a single shot rifle with a 32"barrel. I've read alot of recipes and am getting good ideas about some basic loads, but want to pick the brains of the fellers that have been reloading them for awhile. What are your favorite loads for the 45-70, ...powders that have performed the best, what dies? Heavy crimp or no,etc. Thanks guys and gals.

I have only been loading it for one year and have settled on a 300gr Partition load with 46gr of IMR4198. I am about out of the powder and plan on getting 3031. Seems the 4198 is a great powder for the rugers and all for higher pressure but in Marlins you just can't get full performance out of the 300gr bullets. I have some 350gr hornady's and 300gr sierras to play with.

Just would like to point out the .45/70 is one of those rounds that has been chambered in a wide variety of actions with different safe pressure levels...didn't notice what you're shooting(example:Springfield or Ruger no.1 are 2 extremes) Double check to see if any recipes you get are safe for your gun

I shot a buddies H & R Buffalo Classic and now I want one. He was shooting store boughts, but I want to load my own. I'm getting it for Christmas for myself and I'll probably want to start loading for it right away. We have a good store here in Ft. Walton Beach that carries dies, powder and bullets, even some molds. My Lee classic cast does fine for the 30-06 and .308 and I love loading my 45LC on it. I wonder if it is up to the 45-70? May be an excuse to get another press.

I am not sure of the pressure limits for the H&R. You better do some research on it. If it only handles 28KPSI, then my loadmay betoo hot.

Loading 45-70 shells for a single shot is completely different than loading for a lever. Single shots are much easier, and in my opinion more accurate. I will describe how I do it in my 1885.

Fireform your brass first. When loading to fireform look at the wording on the brass. I use WW brass. I align the first "W"-straight up and down in the chamber. Every time you shoot your ammo, always align the "W" at 12 o'clock in the chamber. This is done so that your casing fits your chamber the same every time.

Now you are ready to start:
1. Trim all brass to the same length.
2. Resize the brass only to the length of the bullet-do not resize the whole case. No need to. It will slip fit right into the chamber. Make sure you remove sizing button from the die.
3. Bell the case ever so slight, just enough to keep from shaving the lead bullet.
4. Use a Sinclair sizing mandrel. Run the case up on to the mandrel to size the inside of the case.
5. Seat the bullet, touching the lands will normally shoot the best. You can push it back a bit off of the lands, but I do not.
6. Use a Redding taper crimp die. Apply an ever so slight taper crimp to the bullet. A heavy crimp is not necessary.
7. This is how I attain my best accuracy from a single shot. You can get alot of firings from a case because you are working the brass very little. And since you fireformed the brass to the chamber there should not be alot of case expansion.

Now all you need to do is cast your own bullets. I like RE 7, and 2400 powder for 45-70's. Tom.

I like varget for my loads, 56 grains powder, 350grain hornadayrnsp I am getting 1950fps out of my buffalo classic and 1900 out of my marlin lever.

Man, you guys are a great source of information. Thanks to all who have replied.

HEAD0001, what kind of 1885 are you shooting? I was looking at a Uberti 1885 Highwall and really like the looks of it, but the Buffalo Classic is more within my price range.

DANTHEHUNTER, did you find model specific reloading data for the Buffalo Classic or are you going by Varget's recipe?

I have a Browning and a Winchester. I like the Uberti, the problem with the Uberti is the crescent butt plate. I hate to be a sissy, but that crescent butt plate hurts. Uberti makes one without the crescent butt plate, but they are hard to find. If you find one let me know, I might also be interested in one. My Browning had one, but I had a Winchester red pad put on it. I like that Buffalo Classic, I have really considered one in the 38-55. However 45-70 would also be a great choice. Their is something about hunting with a single shot. I spent most of my time this year hunting with a new Encore. But I did take my 85, and my 86 out during doe season.

I have never used Varget. The load Dan mentioned sounds right on. However I do not shoot my 45-70 that heavy, I like my shoulder. I cast a lot of 405's for mine. Iuse RE 7,or 2400. I try to keep my loads around 1400 fps. I can load up to about 1600 without leading problems, but I stay around 1400. I can shoot 30 or 40 times with no problem. I have not met a deer yet that can tell the difference between 1400 and 1800.Tom.
CAN ANYONE INSTRUCT ME AS TO HOW TO TURN THIS INTO A PICTURE?

http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/HEAD0001/


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