Hi All
I am just getting into the cowboy guns and loving it. I am new to the 45-70 and I am wondering if anyone has a great load that they would like to share. I am starting from zero with the 45-70 so any info would be much appreciated. I really want to shoot my moose with it so I need a good elk/moose load and as well as a little less for deer. I thank you all for any info.

300 Man:
Many years ago I had a light weight .45-70 and shot a good moose with it. I loaded 57 grains of 3031 and a 400 grain bullet for 1975 fps. It was a kicker! 58 grains pushed the velocity to 2000+ fps but pressures were high. I still have an extra light model in .45-70, a deluxe version with a pencil thin barrel from 1903, but don't shoot it as I have long ago lost interest in Winchesters. If you like the old .45-70s PM me and I'll send you a photo before I put it on my website for sale.
Cheers,
Cal

300 man
Do some searches here as there are many members
of the Band of 45-70ers that have good info.
IMHO Reloader #7 is the powder of choice for my gun (A Marlin Guide Gun modified with Wild West parts)On Big Game I shoot mostly the North Fork soft nose 350 grain flat nose designed for the 45-70 at about 2100 fps. Good for anything in North America.
Lots of stuff out there to practice with. Get all the good information you can before you start. There are 3 levels of published data for the 45-70 depending on what gun you have, ie
Trapdoor Springfields, Marlin/Winchester lever guns and Ruger #1 type single shots. Do Not exceed pressure limits for your gun. Get several good reloading manuals and study up.
Above all BE Safe and have fun.

Good Hunting,

Tetonka
DRSS
Band Of 45-70ers

thank you guys for the info. I bought the marlin guide. I will be sure to studying lots on it because like I said this calibre is all new to me. I have reloaded for the 300 rum and win for yrs but this is really got me jacked to see the stopping power of the 45-70 at close range. thank you so much.

Elmer Keith Load:

53.0 grains of IMR-3031 with 400-grainer.
Accurate and powerful enough for moose with the right bullet out to 100 yards.
About 1800 fps in a 22" barrel.

Same charge of Hodgdon Benchmark Extreme should do about the same, and better temperature stability, less temperature sensitivity.

Same charge of RL-7 will get you over 2000 fps and loosen every screw in the Marlin: Excessive.

I started reloading for 45-70 in the early 70's, and have used, almost exclusively, IMR 3031. I like 400 gr. bullets also. I have loaded with 3031 for a Trapdoor, Rolling Block, Ruger, Siamese Mauser that was converted, and 3 different H&R single shots, Marlin and T/C. I haven't found a powder that works better as you can use it for Trapdoor level loads up to what you can stand recoil wise in a Ruger.

I never have bothered to chrono this load, but it works fine for me in several guns...

I use 59 grains of any brand of 4895, V-V N-135, or TU 5000, behind 350 grain Berry's copper-plated bullets (and only regular, not magnum, primers).

THESE LOADS MAY NOT BE SAFE IN YOUR GUNS BUT THEY HAVE BEEN OKAY SO FAR IN MINE (Ruger No. 1, Siamese Mauser, and Browning 1886). They shoot into one ragged hole at 75 yards with receiver sights.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE THEM, YOU MUST WORK UP TOWARD THEM AND STOP, THEN DROP BACK A COUPLE OF GRAINS, IF ANY HIGH PRESSURE SIGNS APPEAR.

Thanks again guys for all your help!!! Much appreciated. Take care and happy shooting.

here are some notes I have had for a while.

.45-70 Government 22 inch Barrel Marlin 1895 SS

Bullet Load Powder O. A. L. Velocity Energy Comments
300gn Hornady HP 48gn IMR 4198 1977
50gn IMR 4198 2049 Good Load
53gn Rel 7 1944
54gn Rel 7 1967
44gn 2400 2078 Good Load

350gn Speer FP 59gn IMR 3031 1880
60gn IMR 3031 1927
59gn AR 2206 1827
60gn AR 2206 1864
50gn Rel 7 1871 .620 MOA Most Accurate load

400gn Speer FP 56gn IMR 3031 1837 Best allround load
57gn IMR 3031 1880 Compressed Load
46gn IMR 4198 1870
47gn IMR 4198 1914 MAX - Case head expansion
55gn IMR 4320 1694 Mild
56gn IMR 4064 1754 Mild
36gn 2400 1730
37gn 2400 1769 Mild recoil - accurate
39gn IMR 4227 1704
40gn IMR 4227 1752

405gn Remington 46gn IMR 4198 1793
46gn Rel 7 1709
47gn Rel 7 1729
55gn Rel 12 1617
56gn Rel 12 1693
57gn IMR 3031 1903 3258 Top Velocity

500gn Hornady 50gn IMR 4064 1491 SINGLE LOADED ONLY
46gn AR 2206 1416
48gn AR 2206 1434
44gn AR 2207 1550 Good Load
45gn AR 2207 1576
45gn Rel 7 1531
46gn Rel 7 1564
48gn Rel 12 1366
50gn Rel 12 1439

more

.45-70 Government 26 inch barrel 1895 Cowboy

Bullet Load Powder O. A. L. Velocity Energy Comments
250gn Barnes X 54gn VARGET 1928
60gn H 4198 2650 3900 Compressed Load
47gn 2400 2554
48gn 2400 2616 3800

300gn Remington 54gn VARGET 1745 Mild
55gn H 4198 2322
57gn H 4198 2396
58gn H 4198 2454 4013
59gn H 4198 2476 4085
35gn 2400 1791 Practice load
44gn 2400 2354 3692
45gn 2400 2381

300gn Barnes X 52gn H 4198 2287 3484
55gn H 4198 2322
44gn 2400 2318
45gn 2400 2333

405gn Remington 50gn H 4198 2058 3810 Good Powerful Load
54gn VARGET 1772 2825
37gn 2400 1922

405gn Woodleigh 50gn H 4198 2026 3692 Great Heavy Game Load
37gn 2400 1861 Heavy timber load

RMiller
Thank you so much, you have put a lot of time and effort into the loads and I appreciate you sharing that with me. Thanks again and happy shooting!!!

I got these notes from a gunwriter member on one of the forums. I have used some of the loads myself and very much appreciated the info when I needed it so I thought I would pass it along.