Lee Loader

I started tinkering with the 45-70 some .
A while back I got an old Rapine mould a 458201 , .459-250 gr .
Some jacketed data for a 250 gr bullet in modern levers runs to 2400 fps . I really can't imagine the varmint bullet effect at everything inside 50yd .

Anyway I consulted a couple of manuals , the 43rd Lyman gave me 12.0 Unique for their very similar 300 gr and 16.0 for the 457193 405 gr .
4198 and several others only push 100-150 fps faster with twice the charge of a lot more expensive powders . I find it odd that a bullet of almost twice the weight would have a maximum charge 30% higher .
So I loaded some test loads 11,12,13 gr of Unique just to see if the bullet will shoot in the 1895 . If that works out I'll step up to some of the other rifle powders and a tight heavy wad card just to see if I can go that fast . Something about 1400 fps on 12.0 Unique vs 2400 fps on 60.0 H322 makes me sad . Ultimately I think I'll stick with the Trapdoor levels I think . A 250 at 1400 fps is plenty for 130-165# hogs from 17-50 yd it ought to be good enough for 50 yd whitetail . If not I've always the 1400 fps 405 that's been putting the smack down on American Bison for 136 years .

Loaded a few 45-70 as described above today . I might get to shoot them tomorrow .

RBHarter wrote:Loaded a few 45-70 as described above today . I might get to shoot them tomorrow .

Did you ever get a chance to shoot these. I have an 1895 and a bag of 405 gr cast from Acme and they bear a close resemblance to the Lyman you mentioned and I've got a new pound of Unique. So maybe tonight I'll get some loading done.

Make smoke,

In the past the 193 has proven to be a very flexible bullet . The 12-16 gr loads are basically 30" Trapdoor levels in the 1895G don't expect less than 3" as the number of shots increase in the groups .

I haven't been to shoot these yet I'm looking forward to it though .

RBHarter wrote:In the past the 193 has proven to be a very flexible bullet . The 12-16 gr loads are basically 30" Trapdoor levels in the 1895G don't expect less than 3" as the number of shots increase in the groups .

I haven't been to shoot these yet I'm looking forward to it though .

I came across my Lyman 44 and 45 manuals yesterday. I find it curious that neither list a 405gr cast. My understanding is that the 405 was the "standard" load for the 45-70 for a lot of years.

Make smoke,

The 43,47,48,&50 Lyman have data for the 193 mine pours 415 gr .

And 48 actually has loads for the 1895 using Unique.

Make smoke,

Last night I put together a short 20 round ladder using Unique and Acme Bullets 405 grain conventional lube. I went from 11 to 13 grains. Got started today shooting them over the MagnetoSpeed got sudden stop due to a squib so got to clear the 1895 and get back to it. I can't remember the last squib I had. It's taught me not to work so late.
More later.

Make smoke,

[quote="Ohio3Wheels]. I can't remember the last squib I had. [/quote]

Load long enough & it's not If, but When !!
I'll admit, I was extremely fortunate, was a handloader 50+ years before my
first squib. When it happened, I was absolutely dumbfounded, speechless
frightened & embarrassed. I mean I was shook, bad???
Thank God it was a 45cap plInker & I realized a no battery problem right away & stopped.

Seems about right timing wise for me also, I had no report and no reading on the magnetospeed. Turned out easy, put my 1/4" brass rod down the bore, lifted it off the bullet about 4" drop it again and out it came. Counting myself lucky.

Make smoke,