45-70 1895G Black Bear Reload Advice?
 

Just fell in love with my 1895G after shooting a $40 box of Remington 405gr bullets (thats killin my wallet). I plan on using the gun for hunting black bear in western nc. I was reading on chuckhawks web page that IMR 3031 was a good powder to use, I dont know what do you guys think (is this even a credible source?). As it stands now Im planning on buying more of the 405 gr rem bullets and the imr 3031 to reload. Is this a decent setup or should I consider something else?

I have a Guide Gun in .45-70. I shoot cast bullets made by tommy at www.leadheads.com. I also use IMR 3031. With both the 300gr and the 425gr bullets I shoot clover leafs.

I can't recall off hand how many grains of powder I use under each but if you're interested I can let you know.

I know the amount of powder that I'm shooting is relatively slow.

Just to toot my own horn, four weeks ago, on an 80+ degree day I shot five bullets all touching in a fist shaped bunch. Several guys at the range were wowed.

Tom

Here is the amount of powder that I'm using:

Talked to Tommy at Leadheads. He claims there is no need to do anything but the following.

300gr bullet use 51gr of IMR 3031

425gr bullet use 40gr of IMR 3031

I've jumped the 300gr bullets to 53gr. It hits in the same place but I get the occaisional flyer. Though I will say that there is less unburned powder with this charge. I'm thinking somwhere between 51 and 53 is the sweet spot. I have too many guns that need shooting, is my problem.

Good Luck

Tom

I got that exact same gun i think. Microgroove barrel?

I have never been a bear hunter, but I would use a 300gr nosler partition with 4198. You can go up to 55gr, but I have had best luck with 48gr. I get 2000fps with this load. I can't do so well with 3031. I am barely able to get 2000fps with bad accuracy with 60gr of 3031. And its compressed.

I see these guys saying they can fit 63gr of 3031 in a case, but I can't.

BC,

Did you ever try out those LeadHead Bullets?

Tom

45-70
 

Personally I like RL7 for my 45-70's. The cost of jacketed bullets in the .458 caliber is ridiculous, and the jacketed bullet has no advantage over a good cast bullet in the 45-70 cartridge. Personally I cast my own 405 grain bullet and back it with 40.0 grains of RL7 which will yield about 1600 fps through your Marlin.

This is a well balanced load. Heavy bullet, a real killer. But not a thumper on your shoulder. The perfect mix for a 45-70.

I can cast and reload about 500 or so rounds for $100.

Take your time, buy some inexpensive(to start) casting equipment, and shoot that rifle. Once you get started you will never look back.

All you really need to start is a cheap pot to use on a cook stove, an inexpensive mold, and a dipper. You can pan lube your bullets, and you can pick up some lead some where. Tom.

Problem is Tom, that gun is a microgroove. I have never been able to get a microgroove to shoot a cast worth a hoot.

Yea, I did with 3031. I got like 6" groups. I am not sure what to do with this one.

Well, just to add to the confusion, my Marlin 1895 (22") likes 4198 real well also. I'm loading the 350 gr. Hornady FP on top of 46.5 gr., and it shoots really well. Generally shoots just around 1" @ 100 yds. And that's 5 shot groups. Most of those guns seem to shoot good.

I have never had any problems getting cast to shoot, but as you know each rifle is an entity on to itself. Even with the MicroGroove. With your experience I am sure you could figure it out if you tried.

I am not saying you are guilty of this. But the main reason why most people can not get cast bullets to shoot is because they mix cast and jacketed in the same rifle. And that is a no-no. You really have to get every last piece of copper fouling out of that barrel before your rifle will shoot the cast bullets the way they should shoot.

I am not knocking the Barnes bullets. I am sure they are fine. I just refuse to pay that kind of money for a 45-70 bullet, that IMO will not perform a dime better than a good cast bullet. Just my opinion. And even if the Barnes did perform better, how much better could it kill over a 405 grain pill??

I really like the 45-70 cartridge. It is one of my favorites. And I like the fact that I can shoot the heck out of a big bore for cheap. Tom.