Pawildman

Started loading for my 1895 Marlin 22" bbl. in 45/70 a couple of days ago. I started with the Hornady 350 gr. FP and H4198. The first thing I noticed was how clean the H4198 is. Very little fouling if any. Barrel cleans up real quickly.
Cases are new Remington. Run thru the sizer die, and trimmed to 2.095". Rem. 9 1/2 primers. I started at 42.0 gr., and worked up in 0.5 gr. increments. I will say none of the 5-shot groups were that bad....none of the lighter charge groups ran over 2.5" right off the bat. I'm currently up to 46.5 gr., and the group size has shrunk. 46.o and 46.5 shot about 1.75 and 1.5/8" respectively.
What I have noticed, however, is a tendency to string vertically somewhat. It's not a uniform constant upwards stringing, though. It may put three shots in a tight cloverleaf, and have one a little high, one a little low that spreads the group out. No constant rhyme or reason for it. Random. I got some CCI primers and some Federal and I'm going to see if one or the other stop this. According to my new Hornady manual, about 48.0 gr. H4198 is max in this gun. I don't know if I want to get much higher in powder charge weight than I'm at right now. I've gotta wait until next week to shoot anymore, due to my sholder looking like a piece of red meat now......but I guess I'll go on up and see what it does anyhow. I haven't run anything thru the Chrony yet. That will be during my last phase after I pick a load I can live with.
All in all, so far I'm very pleased with the load so far, hope to get the vertical stuff straightened out. Boy, that H4198 sure is clean stuff....in my gun anyhow...

bronko22000

PA - I use H4198 in my Guide Gun. I'm stoking it with 51 grs and a 300 gr Hornady. This combo busted 3 bear up there at our camp in Clinton Co.

Pawildman

Hey bronko.....just wondering, and I know it's pretty much "time of the moment" encounters, but how did the gun do on the bears? I've killed a couple with my 338 Win Mag. One went about 60 yds., and one dropped on the spot. What was your experience with your 45/70? Just curious.....

bronko22000

PA - The first one I caught running in full stride and the 300 grainer hit him behind the shoulder on the right and cleaned house busting the left shoulder. He tumbled down the mtn for 25-30 yds in a heap. The second one was walking and the third standing and were shot thru the near shoulder into the lungs. They both went 30 - 40 yds. The 300 gr HP Hornady liquifies the vitals. All shots wereright around 60 yards.