I just have gotten a used USRAC 1886 45/70 for my wife (we shot it yesterday, she loves it, recoil is not an issue).

Was wanting to load it with traditional 405 grain cast bullets, but was wanting to take full advantage of the strong(er) action afforded by the modern steel. Need advice on loads and where to find the cast bullets - I reload, but am not currently set up to cast my own.

Also, can someone point out a company that sells a high performance cast bullet load? Buffalo Bore's are jacketed rounds . . . I bought some PMC loads that duplicate the original 1800s load of 405 gr at 1250 fps, but read that the new guns can handle the same bullet up to around 1800 fps or so.

Troy

I've been loading the 45-70 for the past 25-30 years, for a bolt gun. And recently started loading for the USRAC 1886. Every chance that I can, I'll purchase new loading data sources. The best source I've come across is the 'Load Book' which is a digest of all the loading manuals for one caliber.
I use 55 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 445 grain cast bullet in the bolt gun and reduce that a bit for the lever gun, recoil gets a bit snappy. For 350 grain and and 380 grain cast bullets I'll use RL-7, IMR 4895, IMR 3031 with good results.
Jim

Troy - I have a 1886 USRAC Extra Lightweight in a 45/70 and according to Dave Scovill and Bryan Pearce (gun scribes) it will take the same "medium" pressure loads of the 1895 (new) Marlin. I can confirm that in my gun; however, when you get to 1800fps with a 400 or 405gr load the recoil does get pretty "stiff". Corbon makes a HV cast factory load and the 1886 does fine with any of the cast reloads at the velocity you are looking for. Midway or Graf & Sons sell cast bullets for the reloader. Ken Waters has some excellent loads listed in his "Pet Loads" book, as well as the good reference book Arkypete sites. Good luck - Mags

Troy,

Check out Cast Performance Bullet Co. They have a website with loading data. They will sell products online. Good people whom I know personally.

Geoff

Troy,

Sorry, neglected to post the website address:

castperformance.com


Geoff

I'll give you some advice here - free, won't cost you anything for the advice but the book will. Go get yourself a copy of Matthews "40 Years with the 45/70" - it will be the best money you ever spent! And for now, go to http://www.lasc.us/FryxellOldNewBorrowed.htm and have a look at some data you may find of interest.
My best results for all 45/70 rifles I've ever owned and shot were with Remington 405gr bullets and Re7 powder. This was for the Marlin or stronger actions, for the Springfield and etc I stick with good black powder. This cartridge has worked for over a hundred years now and it needs very lttle improvement! Just MHO.