[dukech1]

Hi guys, I recently got started reloading and, BAM a powder shortage. I was loading some IMR 4198 in my .45/70 rnds and all of a sudden, Midway no longer has any.
What can I use that approximates this powder? That I can find? Locally Gander Mt. and a couple of independent gun shops are all out. What do you suggest?

 

[cpttango30]

Just look in your relaoding manual and it will give you all the powders that will work with your bullet and cardrige combo. Hodgdon list IMR 4895, 4198, 4064, H335, Benchmark, Varget are all good powders that work in the 45-07.

If you are wanting to a powder that is not IMR 4198 that will replace it grain for grain you will not find it as each powder have different burn rate and different characteristics.

 

[dukech1]

Thanks cpttango. Are you having trouble finding powder? One more question, is any one brand of powder better, or is it just personal preference?

 

[cpttango30]

Thanks cpttango. Are you having trouble finding powder? One more question, is any one brand of powder better, or is it just personal preference?

I am having no problems what so ever finding powder. I have on had 15# of powder myself I did miss some Reloader 17 here a little bit ago. But no biggie.

Is there one brand that is better I don't think so. I like Hodgdon (Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester) Vihtavuori (Veeta voree) and Accurate and Allient. It all depends on what you and your guns like. Vihtavuori is some great powder but it is more expensive because it is imported. I am using VVN133 behind a 50 gr Vmax in my 223 rem and I am gettign 3600 fps with a mid range load. and it will put 5 of them in to .4" or less at 100 yards. That 1# of VVN133 set me back $35 at the local supplyer.

Try looking at Powder Valley, Inc. works best if you order a lot of powder at one time.

 

[robocop10mm]

For the .45-70, I prefer IMR 3031. I push a 340gr Flat point (linotype) to 2100 fps using 3031

 

[dukech1]

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[dukech1]

For the .45-70, I prefer IMR 3031. I push a 340gr Flat point (linotype) to 2100 fps using 3031

How much powder robocop? I use 25 gr of 3031 in my .223, with a 55 gr sp. I don't have a clue how fast they are, I fire them from my RRA car-15

 

[SlamFire]

Hodgdon 4895 . . . for 45/70, .458 Win. Mag. 30-06, 308 Win. Hodgdon 335 is good too, but I think 4895 is as close to 4198 as you might get.

I like Hodgdon because it comes in handy plastic jars -- easy to pour into the Uniflo, easy to pour back onto the jar. Also, a mouth on it large enough to actually smell if the stuff has gone south . . .

Speaking of which, I put the buy date on my powder containers in magic marker.

 

[robocop10mm]

IMR now comes in the same plastic jug as the Hodgdon.

"The Load" is hot by some manuals and may not be safe in your gun so I will not post the EXACT load but I will get you real close with a load that is in my older Hornaday book

55.8 gr of 3031 topped by a 350 JSP

I go "a little more" with a slightly lighter cast bullet. Of course ALL loads must be worked up carefully and cautiously. The bad part is my Dillon charge bar will not hold that much so I must set it for half and double drop. Not the best idea so I slow down alot.

Robocop10mm assumes no liability for use of this data.

 

[shoez]

I use lead bullets in my Marlin 1895, a 405 and 340 grain both cast by me in Lee molds. I exclusively use Accurate 5744. Works awesome. My velocity is in the 1300-1500 fps range, basically duplicating original blackpowder loadings. Very accurate and not so hard on the shoulder for target shooting. I also had luck previously when Jacketed bullets are used with Alliant Reloader #7, not for the faint of heart though!!

 

[dukech1]

Sad thing for me is, I'm shooting a replica Springfield trapdoor, fromwhat I've read, they don't take as much pressure as a Marlin or other .45/70. The load I found for trapdoors using IMR3031, was 36gr behind a 350gr bullet. I loaded up 10 rnds, but haven't shot any yet.
I would really like to mimic a factory load marked "safe for all rifles", with various powders, due largly to the non-availability of powders. Unfortunately, I only have IMR 3031 and 4198 on hand, I do have some other on backorder.
I have loads for most of my rifles figured out EXCEPT, MY BIG question, Does anyone have a load, for .44 mag using IMR3031? This to be used in a Marlin 1894?
I have many large pistol primers, many .44 bullets, many .45/70 bullets, few large rifle primers.We all know the delimma.
Thanks guys!

 

[robocop10mm]

IMHO the best powder for the .44 Mag is W-296. It should work fine through a lever gun and will give you the most velocity with less pressure than anything else.

 

[shoez]

First thing, get yourself a loading manual, either from the powder companies, which are free, or buy a book from someone like Lyman, Hornady, and so on. These things are invaluable.

IMR3031 way to slow burning of a powder for the 44 mag. Like previous post says, 296 is great for top end loads. For plinking loads, try 231 Winchester, Red Dot or Trailboss. I have had great luck with all these with cast bullets, revolver and rifle.

 

[TXnorton]

.45-70 Reloads - 3031

I have a Pedersoli Sharps 1874 replica in .45-70. I bought several boxes of Remington "safe for any rifle" ammo. This Remington (405 gr jacketed) ammo shot dead on at 100 yards. I then shot several boxes of GOEX Black Dawge Black Powder rounds (405 gr lead FN) - close to the original ammo that the .45-70 was designed for. Results were about the same, point of aim and bullet placement was dead on with the Remington smokless ammo.

Then I reloaded the Remington brass with 50 grains of 3031 and shot them. The result was the bullets were hitting about 8" high at 100 yards. Too much velocity. I could not lower the impact point as the rear sight was all the way down. I have since found a recipe that calls for 40 grains of 3031 and my subsequent research shows that the 40 grain load should have similar muzzle velocities to the BP rounds and the factory Remington rounds. I have just finished loading two boxes of 405 gr lead RFN with 40 grains of 3031, but have not tested them yet.

Good Luck,

TXnorton
Texas

 

[dukech1]

TX try Reloading Pages of M.D. Smith he has some pretty good loads listed. The loads for the .45/70 work well in my trapdoor.