I am considering either of these cartridges: .45-70 Govt or the .450 Marlin for hog hunting.

Please share your loads for either and any words of wisdom on loading them.

Thanks,

Sam
eclemmons@hotmail.com

Hey Sam,
I have a SS Marlin in 45-70. The nice thing is there is ammo/brass available everywhere. I shoot Buffalo Bore Ammo with 430 gr. L.B.T. LFN GC bullets. When this box is gone I'll load more of the same. It is the loaner rifle for people who want to shoot a (meat) Bison at a friend's farm. It seems to work pretty well. Doesn't kick much. Feeds well. I am going to put in a big loop to replace the factory piece that is too small for my hands, and consider a ghost ring rear/fiber optic front sight combination.
For hogs I don't imagine you would need any more grunt than a 45-70 loaded to Marlin pressure levels.

Heres my favorite innexpensive load for my 450marlin gg
Rem 405gr
h-4198 44.5gr max < !--color--> , avg 1820 fps, kicks like a 375h&h
h-4198 42.0 gr, avg 1650fps
OAL, 2.552"
Win mAg primer

Got 2 deer with 1650fps load this year.
Have fun

Charlie,

Thanks.

Do you have any load data in mind?

Sam

45-70 load- REM-405gr,W-W,CCI-200,IMR-3031, 52gr.This is very accurate in my 45-70 guide gun.

Marlin 1895 45-70 22" barrel
300 grain Hornady hollow point seated to 2.55" and crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp Die
Winchester brass, 2.1" trim
CCI 200 primers
50 grains H4198 START
55 grains H4198 HUNTING LOAD 2180 fps from my 22" barrel
Deer and black bear load.
Adapted from Hodgdon #27 (300 grain Sierra seated to 2.525", 55 grains H4198 starting load, 60 grains H4198 maximum load, other components the same.)

Marlin 1895 45-70 22" barrel
405 grain Remington JSP seated to 2.55" and crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp Die
Winchester brass, 2.1" trim
CCI 200 primers
46 grains H322 START
55 grains H322 compressed MAXIMUM 1950 fps from my 22" barrel
All North American game, except brown bear.
Work up carefully from START towards MAXIMUM watching for signs of excessive pressure or velocity.
Adapted from Hodgdon #27 (400 grain Speer seated to 2.54", 50 grains H322 starting load, 55 grains H322 compressed maximum load, other components the same.)

Sam, I suspect the 450 is destined for the dustbin and once its gone handloaders had better have a lifetime supply of its special brass. The 45/70 has been around since the dawn of the central fire cartridge and seems as popular as ever. I just started handloading for the old warhorse and have little useful advice but there is no shortage of data, brass, components, and an impressive range of factory ammo choices for the 45/70. Mine is a 1895 Gun Guide (with ports) but if I were shopping for a 45/70 today I'd probably choose the long barreled "cowboy" version.

As for my handloading efforts, my Guide Gun "Mjolnir" does not seem to care for lead bullets over IMR3031. The 405 grain Meister flat point bevel base shoot one holers at 25 yards, into two inches most of the time at 50, then 2-3 inch clusters and a wild group doubling flier for every five shots at 100. Maddening. Any ideas? Good hunting! McB

Sam,
Western Bullet Company in Missoula, MT sells The Magma #4570405, a 405 grain lead FN. With 54 grains of AA 2495 & a WLR primer you should get 1800 fps.
http://missoula.bigsky.net/western/
JCN

PS,
A Lyman "M" die helps get the loading process started, and a Redding Profile Crimp Die helps seal the deal.
JCN

Thanks Charlie.

It looks like I will go with the .45-70 after an exhaustive search in many arenas.

Any and all load information from loaders will be appreciated.

Cheers,

Sam

Sam,

I have the usual assortment of loading manuals, magazine articles I've kept, etc. but I also found the following book entertaining and informative.

Forty Years with the .45-70
Paul A. Matthews
Containing years of the author's personal experience, compiled in the interest of gaining knowledge and utilizing the cartridge's full potential. Expanded version includes six more years; Lever Marlin 1895SS, Navy Arms Buffalo Rifle plus the new long range .45-70.

It's available from Wolfe Publishing at:
http://www.riflemagazine.com/catalog/detail.cfm?ProductID=57

Just a suggestion.....

-Bob F.

Thanks to everyone for their information and recommendations.

I have decided on the .45-70 and will pick up a couple of books about this caliber.

Cheers,

Sam