45-70 Reloads

[Ramoel]

I have a couple of 45-70's, rifle and revolver. I have a bunch of empty brass, #210 rifle primers and some Speer 300 gr .458 JHP as well as several pounds of 2400 powder that I'd like to use up. I just bought a new set of RCBS dies.

Several of my reloading manuals list a charge of 30 gr of 2400 with a 300 gr jacketed bullet at around 1670 fps in a rifle.

My biggest concern is all the empty space in that big case with only 30 gr of powder. They also caution not to use reduced loads of 2400 because of the danger of detonation. They list the pressure at around 23,000 PSI which is well below the 28,000 considered maximum. Both my guns are modern and rated for level 2 loads.

Has anyone used a similar load and have any tips? Not looking at other powders at the moment, just want to use up some of my 2400. I'm well aware of all the other powders used for 45-70.

[Bessy]

2400 is a pistol powder and pretty fast burning... Based on what I'm reading online some people have had success with it, but they are using a heavier projectile, and less powder. It's probably one of those things that is marginal. If you have ACTUAL load data from a manufacturer, or from a reloading manual, I'd give it a shot and check for pressure signs... as you said your guns are modern in design.

It's probably not that expensive to go out and buy a jug of 4198, or a slower burning powder, that would be better for your application, and if it was me.. that's probably what I would do.

[Sigfan220]

Pretty much all of the loads are going to have a lot of space. I haven't used 2400 so I can't coment on that powder in particular. Just go by the book and you should be fine. Or try a more appropriate powder for that caliber.

[Ramoel]

Thanks for the replies. My reloading data for 2400 in the 45-70 is from the powder manufacturer. For a 300 gr bullet they list 25 gr for the old trapdoors and 30 gr for modern arms.

I've been doing a lot of searches on this topic recently and found that quite a few people use 2400 for 300 gr bullets. Some reports of hang fires with 4198 and 3031 with standard primers behind 300 gr bullets because the powders are so slow and 300 gr is a light bullet for 45-70.

I'll report back after I try a few light loads with 2400.

[hopkins]

With reduced powder loads in my 45-70. I use a measured amount of UNsalted corn meal over the powder. thus when the 405 gr lead bullet is seated I have a slightly compressed load. This solves the positional powder detonation problem. My shooting buddies call these loads "Grannies Biscuits" because of the aroma of toasted corn meal.

[Ramoel]

With reduced powder loads in my 45-70. I use a measured amount of UNsalted corn meal over the powder. thus when the 405 gr lead bullet is seated I have a slightly compressed load. This solves the positional powder detonation problem. My shooting buddies call these loads "Grannies Biscuits" because of the aroma of toasted corn meal.

Sounds yummy! Might act as a game attractant too

[westhope]

Sounds yummy! Might act as a game attractant too

Baiting is illegal!

[Ghost]

Sounds yummy! Might act as a game attractant too

Baiting is illegal!

[crbutler]

The only little fly in the ointment about using spacers in loads is that sometimes odd things happen.

I know a guy who ringed the chambers of a .470 NE double by using polyester filling as a spacer for his loads.

Required rebarreling a H&H double rifle in order to have reliable extraction (important if you are hunting big stuff). Not my idea of fun...

Spacers might be fine if the load was tested for the exact same stuff. This guy had been fine until “one day” and stuck cases and damage. The load had been tested...without any spacers.

I know lots of folks use the foam backer rod for the big African guns. I just put up with a bit more recoil and accept a bit more SD on the load.... it’s not like it makes that big of difference on the terminal end if the bullet impacts at 2100 or 2050 FPS.

With what we are talking here, either Trail Boss or Accurate X5744 will work fine for reduced loads and full fill %.

[Holland&Holland]

The only little fly in the ointment about using spacers in loads is that sometimes odd things happen.

I know a guy who ringed the chambers of a .470 NE double by using polyester filling as a spacer for his loads.

Required rebarreling a H&H double rifle in order to have reliable extraction (important if you are hunting big stuff). Not my idea of fun...

Spacers might be fine if the load was tested for the exact same stuff. This guy had been fine until “one day” and stuck cases and damage. The load had been tested...without any spacers.

I know lots of folks use the foam backer rod for the big African guns. I just put up with a bit more recoil and accept a bit more SD on the load.... it’s not like it makes that big of difference on the terminal end if the bullet impacts at 2100 or 2050 FPS.

With what we are talking here, either Trail Boss or Accurate X5744 will work fine for reduced loads and full fill %.

So out of curiosity, since it was polyester, why couldn't it be removed?

[crbutler]

The explaination I heard was the reduced powder space (this is using a faster powder to get less total grains and reduce recoil) resulted in substantially higher pressures and where the powder was expanded causing a ringing of the chamber.

[Holland&Holland]

The explaination I heard was the reduced powder space (this is using a faster powder to get less total grains and reduce recoil) resulted in substantially higher pressures and where the powder was expanded causing a ringing of the chamber.

That sucks.

[Ironbear]

... resulted in substantially higher pressures and where the powder was expanded causing a ringing of the chamber.

Sounds fortunate that it wasn't his ears and head ringing!

[Holland&Holland]

... resulted in substantially higher pressures and where the powder was expanded causing a ringing of the chamber.

Sounds fortunate that it wasn't his ears and head ringing!

Sounds like his wallet was sure ringing.

[crbutler]

probably!

but you know what they say about that level of stuff.... if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

I don't have any H&H guns. I could afford the cape buffalo neck tie...