I'm starting to load 45-70. I'll be using a 325gr WFN gas check. What's your favorite powder for this bullet weight? Since I don't have anything usable on hand, I figured I'd ask rather than pick a random powder out of the manual.

thanks,
Ian

My favorite powder for 45-70 is IMR 3031 with a magnum primer for a clean burn.

With 405 gr LSWC bullets, Unique to IMR4895 work perfectly.

But with 230 gr, and maximum velocity wanted, I like a powder in the middle, like Re7.

I'll second that, Imr 3031 is one of the best for a 45-70

For 350 grain bullets I use RL-7 and for 385 grain bullets IMR 4198 and for 445 grain bullets IMR 4064.
Jim

Anyone using RX7? The book is showing higher velocities with lower CUP than all the others.

Ian

Several reloading manuals back, Hornady listed 2400 for their 300 JHP. I used 20.0 to 22.0 grains with their 300 JHP. It gave acceptable accuracy.

2FG Black !

I like using Benchmark with 300 grain partitions in my Guide Gun.

Bob257

H4198 and a 300 grain Barnes X bullet.

Reloder 7's looked good in the book for .45-70, all right, but I've never used it. 3031's hard to beat all-around, 4895 works nearly as well, 2400's a great powder for mid-power loads for these lighter bullets (but if using a plain-base cast bullet will tend to lead more as it burns hotter than the single-base powders.) 4198's another good IMR powder for the .45-70, as is 4227 if you're not pushing for max velocity. My current favorites are sort of off-the-wall surplus powders, so I'll keep quiet about them. I've backed way off in how hot I'm loading the .45-70 recently, to about 1480 FPS with a 340 grain bullet; that's hotter than the old blackpowder .45-90, though we tend to regard it as a light load today. "Magnumitis" has hit the old .45-70, too!

I've just gotten a discontinued Lee mould for a plain-base 325 gr. flat point bullet that I haven't had a chance to try yet. Might turn out to give my good old Lyman #457122HP some competition, as I can cast faster with a non-hollowpoint design and it removes a variable in the production outcome. That old Gould bullet is a classic, though!

3031

12FLVSS,
Rx7 means the same as Re7 means the same as Reloader 7 means the same as R7.

3031 has never worked well for me in my NEF Handi Rifle .45-70 with a 300-grain cast bullet. Too much unburned residue left in the barrel. Probably because the pressures are too low.

Went to a faster burning powder (4198, either IMR or Hodgdon)and now have a cleaner barrel after extensive firing. Accuracy is very good at 100 yards.

Guess a lot depends on how hot you load 'em.

Yeah, 3031 and 4895 work best when you load all you can compress under a bullet in this weight range. At least for the 1895 Marlin class of rifles. I'd have to go look at a data book to see where the Trapdoor class rifles max out. I don't shoot any of those.