Roger. Was worth a shot.Those are a bit too spicy.
Trapdoor loads should be 1350 or less, preferably less than 1250, or even less if a jacketed projectile.
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Roger. Was worth a shot.Those are a bit too spicy.
Trapdoor loads should be 1350 or less, preferably less than 1250, or even less if a jacketed projectile.
Appreciate the offer! Thanks!Roger. Was worth a shot.
Lead projectiles. Trapdoor loads. Crimp isn’t super important because it’s a single shot so you don’t need to worry about the bullet moving in a tube magazine and the bullets weight 400-500 grains so the powder doesn’t require a stiff crimp to get good burn.So I have a Lee kit showing up Saturday along with a book.
This is my first go-round on reloading this sort of round, so please excuse the potentially stupid question.
Everything I am reading tells me to stay away from gas checked projectiles, and stick with softer lead in the 400-405 grain projectile weight range.
What else should I look for?
Do you have large rifle primers?So I have a Lee kit showing up Saturday along with a book.
This is my first go-round on reloading this sort of round, so please excuse the potentially stupid question.
Everything I am reading tells me to stay away from gas checked projectiles, and stick with softer lead in the 400-405 grain projectile weight range.
What else should I look for?
Not yet, on the list.Do you have large rifle primers?
Other than sizing. You might need .461 or .462 in that rifle. Best way to tell is get a dead soft lead ball and ram it down a well lubed bore. Then check that size with a micrometer. Get a bullet .001” over size.This is what I am looking at for projectiles.
Any issues the more experienced folks see?
425gr WFN 45-70 Hand Cast Lead bullets [45-70-425-WFP-459] - $26.81 : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets
GT Bullets! 425gr WFN 45-70 Hand Cast Lead bullets [45-70-425-WFP-459] - 425gr 45 caliber Flat Point plain base cast lead bullets with crimp groove to fit 45/70. Very nice plain base design is very accurate and gives all the advantages of flat point design. These are cast from 2-2-96 lead alloy...www.gtbullets.com
Since I won't be casting, would a slightly lighter projectile such as this be a decent option?I use the Lee 405 grain hollow base in an 1873 trapdoor. A solid bullet of .459 is too small for my rifle. Try 5744 or black powder. I don't think you'll find any Trailboss. SR4759 is discontinued but if you see any, grab it. It works great.
Totally safe.You might consider getting a hand priming tool somehow using a hammer to seat primers doesn't spind like a good idea ask me how I know.
That’s how the Lee classic reloading kits work.You might consider getting a hand priming tool somehow using a hammer to seat primers doesn't spind like a good idea ask me how I know.
I didn't even know that. I have 5 of the pound-sized (but not a pound) containers and I use that powder pretty much exclusively for .45 Colt. I don't shoot that round a hell of a lot though so my current stock of that powder should last me a few years. Hopefully Hodgdon is back up to normal production levels by then.Good luck finding Trailboss
Production stopped like a year or 2 ago if I recall
When I first started loading with it I used Lee Dippers but that ends up being a friggin' mess. I then went to the RCBS powder measure that I've used for every other powder and while it can be a bit "crunchy" and not exactly consistent, for what I'm doing with TB it's fine.can trailboss go through a powder measure? Or does it behave like an extruded powder? I’ve never even seen it let alone used it.
If you are using less than @ 26g of powder, use some fiberfill to keep the powder against the primer.So I have a Lee kit showing up Saturday along with a book.
This is my first go-round on reloading this sort of round, so please excuse the potentially stupid question.
Everything I am reading tells me to stay away from gas checked projectiles, and stick with softer lead in the 400-405 grain projectile weight range.
What else should I look for?
I disagree. Filler can become a projectile that can hit the bottom of the bullet, bumping its diameter and ringing the chamber.If you are using less than @ 26g of powder, use some fiberfill to keep the powder against the primer.
I use it in my cheap Lee perfect powder measure. Works fine.can trailboss go through a powder measure? Or does it behave like an extruded powder? I’ve never even seen it let alone used it.
I consider a 390gr bullet same as a 400 or 405gr, and would use 400gr data to load even a 385gr lead bullet. A Trapdoor will shoot best with 385gr or heavier bullets. The 45/70 is not difficult at all to get good results from unless there is something fundamentally wrong with your load. There is no need whatsoever for a gas checked cast bullet. Myself and many others have had excellent results with a bullet designed for a gas check, but not wearing one.Since I won't be casting, would a slightly lighter projectile such as this be a decent option?
390gr WFN 45-70 hollow base cast bullets [45-70-390-HB-459] - $26.53 : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets
GT Bullets! 390gr WFN 45-70 hollow base cast bullets [45-70-390-HB-459] - 390 grain 45 caliber Flat Point hollow base cast lead bullets with crimp groove to fit 45/70. Very nice plain base design is very accurate and gives all the advantages of flat point design. These are cast from 2-2-96 lead...www.gtbullets.com
It measured out at .4593 after slugging when I had it inspected when I started this project.I consider a 390gr bullet same as a 400 or 405gr, and would use 400gr data to load even a 385gr lead bullet. A Trapdoor will shoot best with 385gr or heavier bullets. The 45/70 is not difficult at all to get good results from unless there is something fundamentally wrong with your load. There is no need whatsoever for a gas checked cast bullet. Myself and many others have had excellent results with a bullet designed for a gas check, but not wearing one.
Like Michael said, slug your bore to make sure that it's not oversized. If it's .460 or less you can buy commercial cast bullets and expect decent results. If it is larger than .460 you can still try some jacketed bullets loaded specifically for a Trapdoor rifle, but casting would be your best option.
Reloading the 45/70 is a lot of fun. It's definitely a gateway to an obsession.
LRP in stock at cabelas online. Free ship to store (outside MA). They a bunch of powder tooIt measured out at .4593 after slugging when I had it inspected when I started this project.
I snagged the 390 grain hollow base projectiles at .459
Have some Remington primers on the way, new Starline Brass, a Lee kit, a digital powder scale, a non-marring rubber and composite hammer all on the way.
Just need a decent powder.
He is comparable to me in terms of shooting (see target earlier in the thread)Powder is still not widely available so you may have to settle for whatever you can find, that won't blow up the old rifle. You may not find the absolute best powder, but it probably won't matter. The shooter isn't competing in a 1000 yard match. He's just trying to keep his shots in an area the size of a pie plate. His ability is a lot more important than your powder choice.
Wow, their prices are great.TB bullets are good quality. Their coated 45-70 bullets are .460"
I use their coated 30 cal bullets for reduced 30-30, 30-06, and 7.5x55 Swiss over trail boss powder
Bullets - Rifle - 45-70 - T&B Bullets
tbbullets.com