I've been loading 54 gr. of IMR-4320 behind a 300 gr. Rem hollowpoint in .45-70, and just discovered that a LOT of unburnt powder is blasting out of the barrel. I've never had this problem before, but I'm new to rifle reloading. (I've done lots of pistol cartridges before.)

Any idea what I'm doing wrong? I'm using a CCI 250 primer; is using this magnum primer the problem (which is counter-intuitive)?

Any comments appreciated! Thanks.

Pertinax

Your not doing a thing wrong - thats just the way it is with 4320 in a 45/70. For cleaner burning loads try 4198 - 3031 or Reloader 7. All much better suited to the 45/70.:::::::MV

Basically you are doing nothing wrong, except your crimp may not be tight enough.

You would probably be better off with 62-63 grains of IMR-4198, however.

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I had the same problem with 3031, so I switched to 4198. Ricciardelli what gun are shooting that load in and what kind of accuracy are you getting? I am only using 53 grains of 4198 in my Ruger #1 with a 350 gr Barnes bullet. Even with that load she snorts and bellows. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by crowrifle (edited 03-12-2002).]

So it's just my powder choice. I was trying to find one powder that would work in the three things I load for, and I guess that's an unrealistic expectation.

So I'll try another powder. Is everyone in agreement in suggesting IMR-4198? Hodgdon 4198 also looks to be a good choice. (I can't believe the insurance companies allow them to keep selling two different powders with the same number...)

So while I'm on the subject, I'd love to see some full-power loads safe for the Marlin 1895, with 300 and 400 gr. bullets.

Thanks, everyone. This is a very useful forum.

Pertinax

Pertinax

WATCH IT--DO NOT RUN 60 GRAINS OF I4198 IN ANY 45-70---50 IS A MAX FOR A LEVER GUN!
Ricciardella doesn't goof to often but this time he's thinking of something else!!

Pertinex,
You can't go wrong with IMR #4198. But I suggest that you try Reloader #7,as well. I am getting better results with it lately.
Good luck,
Frank

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Frank

Didn't see any reference to a lever gun when I made my original post......

I shoot .45-70 out of a couple of Ruger #3's.

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[This message has been edited by ricciardelli (edited 03-13-2002).]

When I was load testing for my 45-70 bolt gun I tried IMR 4320, IMR 3031, IMR 4895, IMR 4198 and IMR 4064, behind a 405 grain jacketed, 405 cast and a 445 grain cast.
At the time chronographs were scarce as hens teeth, so I used accuracy and how much recoil I wanted to stand as my standards. I was shooting prone with sand bags as a rest shooting at 1lb coffee can lids at 100 yards, nailed to an old stump.
I dropped 4895 and 4198 early because they just didn't have the accuracy I wanted. I dropped 4320 because of the recoil factor, not sure just what was different but the recoil seemed sharper then the other two remaining powders. 3031 and 4064 both gave fine accuracy for my purpose, which was 10 shots into the 1lb coffee can lid nailed to a stump, at 100 yards, with a Williams reciever site. Those big old lead slugs chugged right on through the stump into the hill side behind.
The 4064 won out because the gun shop owner had most of a case of the 4064 that was not selling and he made me a deal I could not refuse.
So my hunting load for a lot of years ,20 some odd, was 52 to 54 grains IMR4064 anybody's primer, a 445 grain GC'd cast bullet.
You know I think I enjoyed shooting those coffee can lids more then I do shooting the paper targets now.

Jim