45-70 questions

P

pyscodog

Active member
Thinking its about time for some 45-70. I haven't shot it in a while. I have several types of brass to use. With this caliber and not expecting "Bughole" groups, does it hurt to mix the brass? Ordinarily I wouldn't but since its in this lever rifle and sure not a one holer, will it matter that much? Also do any of you have some good loads that don't kill on both ends?
 
Not really a “high pressure” stretching the limits type round. Most of my brass is Starline.

Beware of brass from the factory loaded Hornady stuff. It is shorter than normal. You can use it but will have to set up accordingly.

I bought a new Marlin last year. Have it sighted in with irons. Need to put a scope on it. I did shoot two Does with lead 420’s, works fine.
 
I did work up some loads with lead 420’s and jacketed 300’s. Accuracy was pretty good for a Deer wacker. Iron sights block out any fine shooting before you get to far out. With a scope or vernier sights a person could shoot farther with good shooting skills.
 
Brad: when did Iowa start letting centerfire rifles for deer. I lived there in the mid70's and it was shotgun or stick and string.
 
Mines the Cowboy version. I did put a 1.5x6 Leupold on it. I'd like to find a load thats good for deer and hogs and still be easy on the shoulder if I just want to punch paper.
 
Bear, last year they opened it up to straight rifle cartridges .38 and larger. We have had limited pistol use for awhile. And we had a Doe season in southern Iowa a few years back that was .24 and up for center fires. Lots of people ran out last fall and bought .450 Bushmasters.
 
Pyscodog, have you tried the 250Gr Hornady? They shoot great out of my Marlin 1895 and recoil is manageable. I did have to trim the brass back in order to feed properly and maintain the proper C.O.L. though.
 
Originally Posted By: reloader326Pyscodog, have you tried the 250Gr Hornady? They shoot great out of my Marlin 1895 and recoil is manageable. I did have to trim the brass back in order to feed properly and maintain the proper C.O.L. though.


No I haven't tried them. Mainly shot the 300 grain Hornady HP and the 325 grain Lever evolution tipped bullets.
 
I run Starline but would not hesitate to use mixed brass Hornady LeveRevolution excluded. Call it blasphemy but 223 is much pickier and I run mixed brass there as well, with my ARs at shorter ranges I was surprised the lack of sensitivity to mixed brass...
 
I have tried Varget, IMR 4198, and 3031 in my 1895 GBL. Both with cast and jacketed bullets. I settled on 3031 with both the Hornady 300 hp and RCBS 45-400. Running 1400 to 1500 FPS. But with big heavy bullets and Whitetails, even at slow speeds you are driving the bullet through them on broadside shots.

I have been trying to load something that my daughter will be able to shoot. These are pretty nice, not much recoil. The trade off is trajectory...
 
My Hornady brass is .055 shorter than my Starline stuff. Hornady had to shorten the brass to get their flextip bullets to the correct OAL.

I also crimp my stuff with a Lee factory crimp die.
 
Originally Posted By: Brad PhillipsMy Hornady brass is .055 shorter than my Starline stuff. Hornady had to shorten the brass to get their flextip bullets to the correct OAL.

I also crimp my stuff with a Lee factory crimp die.

I measured some of my brass and came up with the same numbers.I have a bunch of brass so I can just set the Hornady aside or just use it with the flex tip bullets. I also use the Lee crimp die. Makes loading a lot easier.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top