I am looking for some charges for reloading a marlin 45-70 with cast 325 grain .457 diameter. I was thinking of using H322 since I use it for other rifles and found that it is used for the 45-70 however I cant find much data for reloading cast projectiles. I will use it for target and a brush gun for black tail.

I take a look at 4198 thats what I use inmy 45-70 cast load

5744 although I have used a lot of 4198 too. Mostly, I use GOEX cartridge black powder; that works best and is what the original load was loaded with.

H322 is a bit slow for the 325-grain bullet but it will work. IMR4198 is the "classic" powder for high velocity loads in the .45-70, I used it for years with 300/350 grain jacketed bullets. Since the OP wants a "target/hunting" load he doesn't need to push the bullet faster than ~1500 fps. This reduces recoil but is fully ample for short range deer and bear. For that he can try IMR4227. It gives less recoil than slower powders and I found that powder works very well with 300-400 grain cast bullets in the accuracy department.


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I did the same thing for my son and his 1895 Guide Gun. My change, though, was to use 350gr cast bullets. Close enough to yours. IMR 4198 gave excellent accuracy and velocity. I do use H322 for his jacketed loads using the 325gr Hornady LeveRevolution bullet.

5744 is made for cast bullet applications and is position insensitive. And you use less of it than the others which is a benefit in these days.
Although I still use a lot of 4198 in 45-70 low end loads with cast bullets.

Did no one see the .457 part??? Tony try and find some .459-.461dia. Will shoot better and less chance of leading . Fit is KING!!! Clint

405 GR. CAST LFP IMR IMR 3031 .458" 2.540" 45.5 1597 17,300 CUP 48.5 1706 21,100 CUP

Hodgon powder

I was told by a good friend that he uses just one load for his 45-70 rifle and that was 405 gr. lfp and 43 grains of imp 3031 powder with any primer. I looked the load up when I returned home and it is a bit under. I loaded up five to try and the load shoots well in my rifle.

Let us know what load works well for you in your rifle.

I am new to casting so I was attempting to get a more uniform bullet using the lee sizing die. hence the .457 diameter. I am trying to stick to a powder that I currently have in stock and listed in my manuals since the reloading components availability now sucks. IE the H322 or H335. In my searches I found H110 (which I use for a few of my weapons)used but most everything is used with a jacketed bullet. Very little data for the 325 cast.

I started loading for a 45-70 when I was 12 years old. I had just bought my first gun, an 1884 Trapdoor. That was 44 yrs ago. I have never been without a 45-70. I have always used 3031 for any cast bullet, some jacketed bullets and in any rifle. I don't try to really hotrod the 45-70, because I own a 458 or three and if I need that much horsepower, I use one of those.

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I started loading for a 45-70 when I was 12 years old. I had just bought my first gun, an 1884 Trapdoor. That was 44 yrs ago. I have never been without a 45-70. I have always used 3031 for any cast bullet, some jacketed bullets and in any rifle. I don't try to really hotrod the 45-70, because I own a 458 or three and if I need that much horsepower, I use one of those.

The sizing die actually destroys the bullets potential if you size it too small.
You would be better off to leave it as cast and pan lube it as long as the loaded round will chamber.
Just because you have some powder does not mean you should use it. Save your time until you get the right powder.
You can use 2400, then 5744, SR4759, 4227, and 4198.

For data get an older Lyman manual (like a #44), a Lyman cast bullet manual and maybe one of the RCBS cast bullet manuals can be turned up on Ebay.

Until you get familiar with how to make case bullets work be happy with about 1100 to 1300 FPS. You can lurk over at Cast Boolits and learn a lot.

quote:

Originally posted by Tony R:
I am new to casting so I was attempting to get a more uniform bullet using the lee sizing die. hence the .457 diameter. I am trying to stick to a powder that I currently have in stock and listed in my manuals since the reloading components availability now sucks. IE the H322 or H335. In my searches I found H110 (which I use for a few of my weapons)used but most everything is used with a jacketed bullet. Very little data for the 325 cast.

Yeah, .457 is too small for any cast bullet. That diameter is for some jacketed bullets. For cast, use .459 at least. Bigger is better than smaller with cast as long as you can get them to chamber. You can use really slow powders too; they act like black powder with a case full of 4831. NOT ball powders. they won't burn at low pressures as in a straight case.

If that Marlin has micro-groove rifling your bullet definitely needs to be a larger diameter. Fit the largest bullet in the case that will still chamber easily. You have to be careful how much of the first bearing band is protruding out of the case mouth because the 45-70 has very very little freebore and if that band is out too far it will interfere with the cartridge fully sitting. A really decent bullet that usually casts large enough is the LEE hollow base 45-70 bullet, I believe it the 400 grain range. If you shoot that bullet at say 1400 to 1500 fps it's more then what you need for those Black-tail deer. A good alloy is 30 to 1 which is pure lead and tin. If you use that lighter bullet you do need to stick with the faster powders mentioned.