How much powder is practical for 45-70?

Discussions of powders, bullets and loading information.

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beltfed
Posts: 1962
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:07 am
Location: Central Wi

Re: How much powder is practical for 45-70?

Post by beltfed »

Not for a 45-70, but here is some relative numbers of velocity vs Swiss 1.5 powder charge
Bullet always seated over a 0.060 LDPE wad to same depth such that the bullet seated in the lead snug, not really crush:

40-72W bullet: 440 grain EPP ( Elliptical Paper Patched)9+1 ww/lino. Brass 405 Hornady full length, F150 LP thru .007 tgt paper
Powder chg Ave velocity E.S. S.D.
77 grains 1347fps 42fps 17
80 1374 16 7
82 1381 23 11
83 1392 24 8
84 1392 22 9
85 1393 12 5

40-65 bullet 371 DDEPP(Dual Diameter Elliptical PP) 9+1 ww/lino WW brass F150LP thru 0.007 tgt paper

74.0 1396fps 12fps 4
74.5 1403 11 5
75.0 1407 15 9
76,0 1419 16 6

Also, perhaps interesting: 40-65, Same "371 DDEPP bullet, but 16+1 lead/tin

74.5 1388 21 9

Note, this is a rough test with only n=5 shots per .
Was interesting that I hit a sweet spot on the 40-72 where charge wt from 83 to 85 grains gave essentially the same velocity.
Note, though the lower S.D. for 85 gr. I settled on 85 gr for this rifle/bullet.
Now I have a DDEPP bullet for this rifle. Looking good with the85 gr charge.
I settled on 74.5 gr for the 40-65 load. It has shot Very well at all distances starting with 5 shots in 0.66" at 100yds.----when I can do my part.
beltfed/arnie
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Raven
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 5:18 pm
Location: Scottsdale AZ

Re: How much powder is practical for 45-70?

Post by Raven »

Lumpy Grits wrote: Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:30 am How are you measuring your powder, weight or volume?
Always go buy weight.
Why do you feel a second compression die is the answer?
Gary
I measure by weight and compress to the volume necessary for the bullet to just seat on the powder and make COL. The COL is set based on the bullet just touching the lands.
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Raven
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2020 5:18 pm
Location: Scottsdale AZ

Re: How much powder is practical for 45-70?

Post by Raven »

Lumpy Grits wrote: Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:30 am How are you measuring your powder, weight or volume?
Always go buy weight.
Why do you feel a second compression die is the answer?
Gary
The second compression die is a personal 'feel' preference. The RCBS/Lyman compression die from Buffalo Arms, feels more like the other loading dies on my turret and feels more precise to adjust. Nothing wrong with the Shilo compression die....just my preference based on using both.
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