Reloading The .45/70

(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose, FMC=
Full Metal Case, FMJ= Full Metal Jacket, JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC
indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)

Loads for .45/70:

(Note: These are near MAXIMUM loads, you should use 10% less to start.)

(See note on Powders below or read all about various
Powders.)

Bullet sizes vary from .458″ for jacketed to .459″ for some lead in diameter.
Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type
and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide
and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.

These loads are for MODERN guns. Make sure your gun can handle it. Powder
Mfgs. Velocities in a test barrel differ from a 4 4/5″ revolver by about 175
fps and from 7 1/2″ by 50 fps. Some of these velocities were shot in a 10″ or
a 14″ barrel, similar to a Thompson Contender. Recoil is severe with these
near MAX loads. You should consider 10% less for starting loads. However, with
something like 2400, which is really a pistol powder, too little can be as
dangerous as too much. It’s a big case. With the powder down at the end near
the bullet, it can cause problems or even an explosion with minimum loads (or
less). Be advised.

Do not use any of this data with guns designed for black powder loads or any
original TRAPDOOR rifles, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED that it is a “TRAPDOOR” Load. If
condition of old gun is doubtful, even these loads could be risky. Consider
using original Black Powder loads and lead bullet for old guns.

9-9-11

300 grain lead RNFP Cowboy

300 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point MODERN

Federal Factory load 1,674 (in Marlin Rifle) (Hi=1692, Lo=1659, ES 33.4)

340 grain LEAD HP TRAPDOOR (hot loads)

350 grain LEAD RNFP TRAPDOOR (mild loads)

Trailboss Use 14 to 16 grains for 1,000 to 1,200 FPS

350 grain JSP (Jacketed Soft Point) MODERN

378-385 grain Lead MODERN

378-385 grain Lead TRAPDOOR

385 grain lead RNFP (C)owboy & (N)ormal loads

400 grain Jacketed Soft Point TRAPDOOR Loads

*(minimum charges in large cases can be dangerous – caution)

400 grain Jacketed Soft Point MODERN Loads

405 grain lead RNFP Cowboy

(Note: one shooter has experimented with using up to 14.6 grains in a Marlin
and reported at this level the recoil was about the same as factory loads and
felt 14.4 was his best accuracy 100 yard load. There was still some room in
the case and likely the case would hold 15 grains of Trail Boss. These loads
are NOT recommendations, but just reports from another shooter)

405 grain LEAD MODERN Loads (Gas Check recommended)

405 grain LEAD TRAPDOOR Loads

405 grain Jacketed Soft Point TRAPDOOR Loads

420 grain Lead FN TRAPDOOR

475 grain Lead FN Modern (reduce for Trapdoor)

500 grain Jacketed MODERN Loads

500 grain LEAD MODERN Loads

Discussion: This is a very old cartridge. It was introduced in 1870’s in the
Springfield “Trapdoor” rifle. Do not use any of this data with guns designed
for black powder loads or any original TRAPDOOR rifles, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED
that it is a “TRAPDOOR” Load. It’s best to use new brass. Some old cartridges
also used corrosive primers. I recommend lead bullets and loads in the
neighborhood of 1100 to 1200 fps as maximum for TRAPDOOR rifles, unless you
are sure of the gun.

Bullseye, Unique, Reloader 7 thru 19 and 2400 are products of Alliant
(formerly Hercules) Powders. Universal, HP38, HS6, HS7, VARGET, H4198 and
H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. IMR 4227, IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are
products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company. No.2, No. 5, No.7, No. 9,
#5744, #2230, A2495, A3100, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company.
231 is a fast burning powder from Winchester.

References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co.
Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer
Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition
– – Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy
Company,reloading booklet (1995) – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading
special calibers and personal loads where noted.