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45-70 Loading

HAIRY
The forum has a question about the Sharps cartridge and mentions using smokeless powder in the 45-70.

I'm certainly revealing my ignorance but from what I read, the case has to be completely filled (with powder and/or meal) to allow the bullet to compress the powder. Does this round use the same volume of smokeless powder as the blackpowder? That seems, to me, dangerous.

Since I'm getting ready to start reloading, it appears prudent that I obtain some material that discusses this type of situation--any suggestions?

<_f))))))<
,? ,?
It's not what you know that gets you in trouble, it's what you know that just ain't so!
Resident Pyrrhonist
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • Der Gebirgsjager
    No, no, no.....black and smokeless powder do not interchange by volume! You are correct that you would have a vast overload using volume for volume smokeless for black powder. Go only by published loads from reloading manuals, and don't vary from them until you have become a very experienced reloader. You may have read on this forum at one time or another that Pyrodex (a black powder substitute) and black powder can be interchanged by volume (true) but not by weight, and perhaps that led to some confusion. You didn't mention what firearm you intend to shoot the .45-70 ammo in......if it's an old timer made for black powder you should be very cautious about using any smokeless load in it at all. If it's a modern rifle, such as the Marlin Guide Gun, you should still use published data for all loads--black or smokeless.
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  • 00scoots
    Here's a link to some favorite .45-70 Government loads, beware of the one for Ruger.
    http://www.centerfirecentral.com/cgi-bin/database.pl

    Try and get a copy of "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .45-70 Government" at this link:
    http://www.loadbooks.com/manuals.htm

    Be safe! Use published data for your type of firearm ONLY !!!

    You can never have too many guns!!!
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  • mazo kid
    As mentioned above, you have to be careful about what firearm you are loading for. Here are a couple of sites that will be helpful:
    http://accuratepowder.com.reloading.htm
    http://recipes,alliantpowder.com
    Some of the smokeless loads using a bulky powder will fill the cartridge case, or very nearly fill it. These websites will also spell out which loads may be used safely in older guns such as the Trapdoor, etc. Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
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  • mazo kid
    I don't know why those addresses I gave you don't seem to work. Try these home web pages:
    www.accuratepowder.com
    www.alliantpowder.com and sort thru their offerings. Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
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  • 00scoots
    Well, it looks like one of my links gets into the data base for all cartridge reloading, sorry about that.

    Use this link and click on .45-70 Government
    http://www.centerfirecentral.com/favorites.html

    You can never have too many guns!!!
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  • Wheelgun
    quote:Originally posted by mazo kid
    I don't know why those addresses I gave you don't seem to work.

    It's because the powder manufaturers want all who enter their load data pages to read their disclaimer before continuing.....

    Gotta love them lawyers, huh?

    Now, back on topic, there are some smokeless powders that are well suited for duplicating loads for black powder rifles. Accurate's XMP-5744 is one that is often mentioned.

    Mark
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  • Tailgunner1954
    Air space with BlackPowder (ML or cartridge) is a big NO NO.
    Air space with a smokeless load is no big deal, and in fact is quite common. Shake almost any modern factory cartridge and you can hear the powder rattling around, due to the amount of air space left inside.
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • intercessor
    NEVER get on the wrong page in the reloading manual when loading 45-70 Govt. for old rifles. The loads for modern 45-70 could at best ruin a nice collectable firearm, and at worst cost you some body parts. Be safe.
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