Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 45-70 RNFP HP hard cast data?

I recently bought some 330 grain RNFP HP bullets for my 45-70 from Stateline bullets, https://statelinebullets.com/shop/cast-rifle-bullets/45-70-330-gr-rnfp-hp/ . These are hard cast (BHN 16) alloy. All the loading data I’ve come across so far is for softer bullets at, what seem to be, pretty mild speeds. Is it safe to use data for 350 jacketed bullets to load with these? I’ll be shooting them out of a Marlin 1895G Guide Gun with the Ballard rifling. The powders I have on hand that would seem to work are:
IMR3031
IMR4166
Ramshot TAC
IMR4895
H4895
Varget

Thanks.

45-70 data is endless..............

here's some...............

http://www.realguns.com/loads/4570cast.htm

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=45-70&Weight=All&type=rifle&Source

I have used TAC and IMR-3031 in my 45-70.
As well as H-322.

When looking for loads one can use the starting jacketed load as a starting point.
It has worked on several different styles of bullets and rifles.

John, those bullets will blow through any deer that you are going to shoot at 1500 fps,ask me how I know.

Did you order them a little oversized like .001 or .002 over? That usually helps fill the bore a little better with the cast stuff.

Be careful looking at the endless .45-70 data out there. It ranges from very mild to pretty wild which is dependent on action type. The marlin stuff is usually middle of the road or a little higher. The top end stuff is for Ruger #1's so be careful the Marlins can't withstand those pressures.

RL-7, IMR 3031, H335, H322, etc all work. I use RL-7 myself.

River Ridge, Reloaded 7 is getting a lot of attention lately (I'm gonna try some with some 430 grainers). Go to Cast Boolits Forum or to Marlin Owners Forum...... A huge amount of 45-70 load data! memtb

RL7 is good, 42grs of 405's and around 47grs for 350's


I switched to 4198 and sr4759

That bullet isn't gas checked and appears to use a conventional lube. All of which means you may not be able to push it too fast without leading. With the powders you have on hand 3031 is going work best. I'd start testing loads that begin at around 1400 fps and work up checking for accuracy and leading. If you can get to around 1800-1900 fps and the load is accurate and doesn't lead that's where I'd stop.

Here is a couple articles I saved

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/4570_leverguns.htm

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.45-70+U.S+Government.html

What maded you switch from RL-7 to 4198?

Which 4198?

A friend has issues in cold weather with RL7 and when it got hard to find around here I went away from it and went to IMR4198 because it was everywhere.


It may have been a strange lot of with RL7 and the cold, it was repeatable though with his loads that there was weird ignition and low velocity with RL7. We both switched to 4198 and neither have had issues.

Thanks everyone!