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45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:25 pm
by MikeACP
None of my manuals have data for a 500gr lead bullet for the 45-70. Can anyone nudge me in the right direction or have published data?

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:55 pm
by glocksmith
My Lyman manual shows some loadings for two different 500 grain cast bullets (#457125) and (457658). What kind of powder are you going to use?

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:00 pm
by MikeACP
All I have is h335 or 4064, If I have to buy some I will. Its a flat nose bullet.

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:18 pm
by glocksmith
Yeah, unfortunately the Lyman manual doesn't use any of those powders. I have one of those "compilation" loading books - lists .45-70 loading data from every powder/bullet manufacturer - but I don't have time to sift through it all this evening. If you can wait until tomorrow, I'll check for any loading data using the 335 or 4064, and I'll post it here.

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:34 pm
by MikeACP
Thanks, I have one of the load books. No 500gr. loads, Even the Lyman 49

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 7:16 pm
by Sneakypete
The Reloading Pages of M.D. Smith has several loads for the 45-70, 500 grain bullet, lead or jacketed, The most common powder is Varget.

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 7:49 pm
by MikeACP
Should have stated that this is an 1895 Marlin

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 8:18 am
by glocksmith
MikeACP wrote:Should have stated that this is an 1895 Marlin
Are you sure a 500 grain bullet will even cycle in an 1895? I own one myself and 405 grain cast is the heaviest bullet I can get to reliably cycle in the action. OAL any longer than 2.550"...then good luck getting it to chamber or extract. I suppose you could seat the bullet really deep, but then you don't have room for an adequate powder charge.

BTW so far I only found one loading using 4064 but it was a high pressure load for Ruger single shots and converted bolt-actions.

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:23 pm
by Sky Pilot
The 500 grain is the old Government load.
Voice of experience from an old man who has put many a round through a Sharps.
The 500 grain kicks harder.
I can recommend the 300 grain Goulds Express.
(You know that's a healthy round when the EXPRESS bullet scales 300 grains!)
Lyman makes, or at least made, a mold for the 300 Gould's.
I think you'll find its shorter OAL and lighter weight will be a happier combination for your Marlin.

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:44 pm
by MikeACP
Sound advice, thanks

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 6:08 pm
by The German
There is some data in the RCBS cast bullet manual #1
All for 500 grain RCBS LFN, C200 primer

Rifle: Marlin 1895
Powder I3031
42.0 grain -> 1469 fps
44.0 grain -> 1533 fps

Powder I4198
30.0 grain -> 1254 fps
32.0 grain -> 1254 fps

Powder H2400
25.0 grain -> 1325 fps
27.0 grain -> 1441 fps

Powder I4227
25.0 grain -> 1235 fps
27.0 grain -> 1342 fps

Rifle: Ruger 1
Powder I3031
48.0 grain -> 1667 fps
50.0 grain -> 1734 fps

Powder H2400
26.0 grain -> 1322 fps
28.0 grain -> 1439 fps

Powder I4198
41.0 grain -> 1621 fps
43.0 grain -> 1708 fps

Powder I4227
28.0 grain -> 1344 fps
30.0 grain -> 1438 fps

They however did not list an COL, Speer has listed 2.765 for their 500 grain bullet.

These are copied from the RCBS.load software and please double check before using any of these loads. I am old, need glasses and according to my wife, hear bad and don't know what I am doing... so, take these data at your own risk.

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 6:27 pm
by MikeACP
Sounds like my wife. Thanks for the info, I think I need to pick up some 4198.

Re: 45-70 help with 500gr. bullet

Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2016 10:18 pm
by RichN
This is my favorite load for my Marlin 1895.

** WARNING ***
Do NOT use this load if shooting a Trapdoor or other antique rifle
***************

Barnes Original 400gr bullets
53.2 grains of IMR 4895

I got a 5” group at 100 yards with open sights resting on a shooting bag. I'm sure the rifle and loads where capable of better, but alas, my eyes were not.
The chronograph showed 1,660 fps average velocity with a range of 1,648 to 1,679. They gave a nice thump to the shoulder, but not really unpleasant.

*** WARNING ***
Do NOT use this load if shooting a Trapdoor or other antique rifle