I have another mould that I was using, but it’s not gas checked and I was sending them with Trail Boss. I have this mould now (above), gas checks and setup for powder coating, so I will be sending these babies out fast.
Rifle spec:
Modern, break-open single shot, 18" barrel.
What’s a common ‘shooter consensus’ go-to powder used in 45-70?
I am thinking AR2208 is a tad too slow and 2205 is a bit too fast. I don’t want to load it with Trail Boss. So… Suggestions for powder and load data reference for 500gr hard-cast pill would be appreciated.
_Fun fact: _ I have a $20 (bought form China) red dot on it. It’s been ‘recoiled apart’ - almost. I am not buying another, until it kicks it, but it just keeps on going. I am hopping this will finish it off.
2208 or 206H for fast. BM2 has been used also. Most loadings for Ruger No1 uses 2208, Cheers.
ADI manual has a section just for modern rifles, ie: Ruger 1 & 3, Siamese Mauser, Browning 1885 etc
Sounds like 2208 is the go, but need to start low, will probably use cotton ball or something as filler and work up to what seems to be 50-53gr max depending on COAL and weight.
Yep, ok, mine will take Ruger #1 pressures, so I recon I have something to work with
Only shitty thing about that, is that it’s a lot of powder - by weight, which translates to money. Wondering if there’s something that I can use that takes less powder and achieves the same result.
I did some testing at the range today and decided that ADI AR2208 doesn’t really work with my configuration. It being H&R (New England) rifle with 20" barrel and 500GR bullets.
Lots of unburnt powder, even with 37.5, which would be on the very low end of this scale.
I went from 37.5 to 41 grains of AR2208. At about 40 grains recoil was savage. I moved to 40.5, still no pressure signs. Rifle is like, whatever man, lets get this done. My shoulder on the other hand called it quits, so I didn’t even finish the 40.5 test load. That said, at 37.5 I was getting unburnt powder and from there on, so really there’s just no point using this powder in my configuration.
Can anyone suggest a better, sort of ‘go to’ powder, if you have one, for 45-70 and heavy pills?
@Supaduke@TheDude anyone else? I know you guys are into your mad scientist loads
Something tested, rather than manual based.
WARNING
500gr pills in 45-70 and starting load of 50 grains of AR2208/Varget is a no go and I strongly suspect dangerous. At least for H&R chamber (New England SB 2 Handy 45-70 ). 37.5 as a starting load was tested successfully.
I have a few more findings and why I started where I started, etc. Will post that later… But for now, tested powder recommendations are very welcome.
Who told you that twaddle about 50 of 2208 being dangerous? The NEF S2 action has been used with both Buffalo Bore and Garret ammo at 35000 cup, and has been hand loaded well over 50000 by many people including myself. The NEF is not recommended for 500g projectiles, but can fire them, I have used 48.0g of AR2206H in a Handi-Rifle with 500g jacketed, but it is not pleasant to shoot. If you want to read something interesting go to castboolits and enter “NEF Preesure Limits” and read Clarks post about 87000 psi proof loads in an S2 action, Cheers.
PS: S2 Action ONLY, not S1, and definitely not the old Shikari.
I have only loaded up to 405gr bullets. I mostly use 325gr ftx jacketed for hot loads.
Otherwise I just use TB for plinking loads of 300gr -405gr cast bullets. Off the top of my head, I use 2207 or 2209 ( I can’t remember right now, will check when I get home). It provides a pretty stout loading for the 325gr bullets. I use 50gr of powder and it burns clean.
I use 2207. 50gr for the 325gr ftx. Not sure how the 500gr would cycle in a lever.
It provides for an accurate and somewhat stout load. It is a 45-70 though, any load that’s reasonably hot will be pretty strong on the shoulder.
From a guy that worked in the ADI factory in the testing and quality control area. ADI powders by the way they are manufactured the size shape and construction of each granular do not need magnum primers.
