[HenryinFlorida]

I have just aquired an 1895G 45/70 Govt Marlin and want to load some low power ammo to use at the range and for plinking. I know the 45/70 isn't a plinking round but I got the gun by accident and decided to work with it. I have ordered a Classic Lee Loader for the 45/70
I have also ordered some Starline Unprimed brass and some H4500 300gr Hollow Point bullits. I plan on using CCI large rifle primers because I saw where there harder and work good in tube fed rifles.

What I'm not sure of is what powder should I use. I found a reloading page that said I could use IMR 3031 with my HP bullits and if I use 43gr (is gr grams or grains) it should produce a velocity of 1410. I thought that I could use even less, lets say 35 gr and make it shoot softer still.

What can someone tell me about my plan?

 

[greyhawk50]

I'm not a fan of the Classic Lee Loader but there are people that like them.
Gr. refers to grains. There are 7000 grains (gr.) in a pound.
You will need a reliable source for load data. There are several provided on-line by many of the powder companies. Here is one that I use. http://www.hodgdon.com/index.html
However, owning a Load Data Manual would be beneficial. For reduced loads with lead bullets, Lyman has the best manual, in my opinion.
There are several threads in the "Ammo & Reloading" section of this forum. Check them out.
There are also members on here that shoot the reduced 45-70 loads. I'm sure that they will chime in to help you out.
As you get further into the process, feel free to ask questions. There is a lot of good help on here.

Another more direct link. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
I like to use H4895 in my 30-30 and my .35 rem.
They list it as a load for the 45-70. If you look at the Pressure Column where it list the CUP. The lower the chamber pressure, the less the recoil. Be sure to use a recommended load because too little powder can cause serious problems as well as too much.

 

[hombre243]

gr is always grains

I have just aquired an 1895G 45/70 Govt Marlin and want to load some low power ammo to use at the range and for plinking. I know the 45/70 isn't a plinking round but I got the gun by accident and decided to work with it. I have ordered a Classic Lee Loader for the 45/70
I have also ordered some Starline Unprimed brass and some H4500 300gr Hollow Point bullits. I plan on using CCI large rifle primers because I saw where there harder and work good in tube fed rifles.

What I'm not sure of is what powder should I use. I found a reloading page that said I could use IMR 3031 with my HP bullits and if I use 43gr (is gr grams or grains) it should produce a velocity of 1410. I thought that I could use even less, lets say 35 gr and make it shoot softer still.

What can someone tell me about my plan?

grains...as in appx 437.5 gr(ains) per ounce

 

[greyhawk50]

Now you got me curious. He's loading 45 acp but what the hey?
Here is a link to a video about Classic Lee Loader. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noFKV8S6cnQ[/ame]

Here is a link to Midway USA Lee Loader that includes reviews. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/224711/lee-classic-loader-45-70-government

Come to think of it, my first reloader was a Classic Lee for a 410 shotgun. Wish that I still had it. They don't make them anymore.

 

[Hyphenated]

Welcome aboard HenryinFlorida...
The bullets you have selected are a good choice for deer hunting. I would hang on to them and buy some cast bullets for plinking.

I cast my own 405gr lead bullets, but plenty of places offer this bullet for sale commercially. I use 22.8grs of 2400 powder for a chronographed velocity of 1250fps in my 22" barreled Marlin 1895. This powder charge could be reduced to 20grs and you could use a 300gr cast bullet for an even softer load.

I would save your IMR3031 for hunting loads with the 300gr jacketed bullets. I shoot 50grs of IMR3031 with a 300gr jacket bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1600fps to hunt deer.

 

[HenryinFlorida]

Welcome aboard HenryinFlorida...
The bullets you have selected are a good choice for deer hunting. I would hang on to them and buy some cast bullets for plinking.

I cast my own 405gr lead bullets, but plenty of places offer this bullet for sale commercially. I use 22.8grs of 2400 powder for a chronographed velocity of 1250fps in my 22" barreled Marlin 1895. This powder charge could be reduced to 20grs and you could use a 300gr cast bullet for an even softer load.

I would save your IMR3031 for hunting loads with the 300gr jacketed bullets. I shoot 50grs of IMR3031 with a 300gr jacket bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1600fps to hunt deer.

The reason I didn't get cast bullets was because I didn't want to deal with lead fowling. By the way, who makes that 2400 powder? OK, I fount it, Alliant makes the 2400 powder...

 

[tahoe2]

Henry

Most of today's propellants have data on their websites, just start printing them off and put together a notebook(3 ring binder) and start looking for powders on sale. There are a ton of powders that work good in the 45-70, cast or jacketed both work well in that round. Take your time and you will be very satisfied with the results.

 

[hombre243]

3030 too

Most of today's propellants have data on their websites, just start printing them off and put together a notebook(3 ring binder) and start looking for powders on sale. There are a ton of powders that work good in the 45-70, cast or jacketed both work well in that round. Take your time and you will be very satisfied with the results.

I will do the same for the 3030 too

Thanks Tahoe

 

[HenryinFlorida]

I ahve been looking at a number or reloading data sites and have been comparing their information. I guess I should also invest in some kind of reloading manual.
Here is one sight I was looking at:
http://www.reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

 

[hombre243]

Ordered mo stuff

I ahve been looking at a number or reloading data sites and have been comparing their information. I guess I should also invest in some kind of reloading manual.
Here is one sight I was looking at:
http://www.reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

I looked all...ALL over Tyler Saturday and most shops were closed except Gander Mountain, so I went back online and out of curiosity I checked MidSouth for powder and primers. I got most of what I need for loading 3030 jacketed bullets but I will save the lead stuff for ordering later. I have enough invested already. Anyway, Midsouth powder and primers and bullets were a lot cheaper than Midway...almost enough difference to offset the haz ship fees. All I need now is a brass tumbler and I think I will get a viibrasonic...or whatever it is called and be done with buyin stuff.

At Gander I got a can of Unique and a can of IMR 3031 and they wanted to mortgage the house. totaled $59.95 for the 2. I got some unique for 16.99 and some 3031 for 19.99 a can at Mid South. Primers were cheaper too. Haz at Midway usa was 27.50 and powder ships 2 weeks after order is placed. Mid South Haz fee is 25 dollars and nothing was mentioned about holding the order. I will have to keep my eyes open at midsouth...they probably could have saved me a bit on my last order from midway. O well...I pays my monies and I takes the screwin.

 

[SWO1]

I got a can of Unique and a can of IMR 3031 and they wanted to mortgage the house. totaled $59.95 for the 2. I got some unique for 16.99 and some 3031 for 19.99 a can at Mid South. Primers were cheaper too. Haz at Midway usa was 27.50 and powder ships 2 weeks after order is placed. Mid South Haz fee is 25 dollars and nothing was mentioned about holding the order. I will have to keep my eyes open at midsouth...they probably could have saved me a bit on my last order from midway. O well...I pays my monies and I takes the screwin.

Im payin $27 for 3031 at my shop. I was thinkin that was a little high but guess not. Im sure hazmat fees are in there somewhere no matter who you get it from. But at least I dont have to wait. 20 minute trip and i got it.

 

[hombre243]

Cost of gas and cost of powder...

Im payin $27 for 3031 at my shop. I was thinkin that was a little high but guess not. Im sure hazmat fees are in there somewhere no matter who you get it from. But at least I dont have to wait. 20 minute trip and i got it.

I cant really complain...even though I do such a good job of it...in Iowa gas is about 50-60 cents a gallon higher than here and at my old gunshop I paid $16.99 for Unique and saw that 24.99 was about average for most other powders. I may still be saving money...I think when I go back for my junk I will get a few cans of powder and see what else I need.