Varget in the 45-70

[gman]

Guy's, anyone using this powder for the 45-70? Thinking of picking up some to try out.

 

[oscarflytyer]

on my to do list, but... pushing the Lee 405 HB 1325 fps in my Marlin 1895 w/ 38.5 grns IMR 3031 and flipped a small Southern whitetail at 85 yds. May bump it up to 40 grns. Testing Varget is not too high on the priority list right now. If you test, pls post results. Thanx!

 

[gman]

It will be a week before I can do any testing but when I do I'll report. Priority next week off will be tuning a load for my 280 Ackley Improved. No cast in that screamer.

 

[fiver]

IMO I'd stay on the faster side of 4895 for the 45-70
3031 and H-322 are both stellar performers.
I use 2400, as so do many others with good results.
varget is pretty good in the 308 and 223 though. [probably work in your 280 too]

 

[Brad]

Used a bit when I had no other use for it. Killed a nice buck with it too, under a 425 RD bullet in my Marlin.
I prefer H322 for hunting loads and 2400 for general use.

 

[KHornet]

2400 is my go to powder for 45-70!

 

[Chris]

The .45/70 case is so well designed that it shoots just about any sensible powder well. That's why whatever powder we like becomes our go-to and we swear by it. In reality it's hard to make the old girl not shoot well with any powders listed above, probably many more.

I shoot a lot of Unique for low velocity, RL 7 and 3031 for faster loads and heavier bullets. I find that using mag primers with heavy charges of 3031 makes it shoot cleaner and better.

 

[Ian]

Case full of 2f works too.....

 

[fiver]

works better with 5-7grs of 4759 under it.

 

[oscarflytyer]

using 3031 behind the 405. going to try it and 2400 (based on above) for the 350 RD. I am finding that RL7 works well with cast in other smaller caliber levers/cast and plan to try it too in 45-70

 

[Pistolero]

One of my favorites, and my heavy hunting load uses 57 gr of W748 under 405gr. I have tried 4064 without
much memorable to see. The 748 load is low pressure and makes 1750 fps from 18.5" GG bbl,
under a jacketed 405. Varget is similar to 4064 in burning perf.

Bill

 

[Brad]

45-70 with many powder works. I ahve used RE-7, 4198, Benchmark, H322, 4895, Varget, 335, and 748. They all did quite well. They all need a pretty full case to really burn well and that means velocity and recoil are up.
For a moderate recoiling load I will always turn to 2400. And not just in 45-70. I am to 2400 what Ben is to plain based bullets.

 

[KHornet]

I also have in the past used many powders in the 45-70 in my #1. Used to not mind recoil much,
but that has changed in the past few years. Now I only load 2400 for the old girl, and am satisfied
that it will do anything I want from the ctg.

Paul