In my 1895 SBL I shoot a 405gr hard cast over 50grs of Varget for an even 1500fps chronographed. With 45 grains of Reloder 7 and a 350 jacketed Hornady flat nose I get 1800fps. The varget load tends to leave a bit of unburned powder because it's on the slow side burn rate wise for the 45-70, but its very accurate with tolerable recoil. As the others have said things get unpleasant quick with near max loads, and they are not necessary. I'm using RCBS dies in a T-7 press. I like to trim all my cases initially to get a uniform crimp, and do be sure to crimp for that levergun.
