.45/70 405gr. Load
 

GOING FOR ELK IN NEW MEXICO 1ST. WEEK OF OCTOBER. WOULD LIKE TO BRING MY RUGER #1..45/70 AS A BACK UP RIFLE (YOU NEVER KNOW). LOOKING FOR A LOAD FOR IT USING .405 GR. FNJSP. HAS ANYONE HAVE ANY GOOD LOADS FOR ME?
PS. MY MAIN RIFLE IS A .35 WHELEN BUILT ON A '98 MAUSER ACTION WITH A 24" SHILEN BARREL, USING HAND LOADS OF, 51.GRS OF IMR4320, REM. 91/2M PRIMERS, AND NOSELER 250GR. PARTITION HEADS.

I can't think of a better source of loading data than my friend and fellow writer John Taffin. John is a lever-gun fanatic, and has developed pet loads for almost any caliber that's ever been chambered in a lever action.

Here's a LINK to his site.

What I use
 

I've been using the same 45 70 load for years with a 405
hollow point
55.6 grains of IMR 3031.
I'm shooting it though a NEF handi rifle. It groups real nice.
Muzzle velocity of about 2000 fps.
Big medicine on deer and black bear.

Rem 405 bullets
 

The remmington 405 grain bulk jacketed bullets shoot <1 MOA atop of 49 grain IMR 4198. Very heavy recoil, but excellent accuracy :)

I have been loading a hot 400-grain load for my No. 1 for years using the Barnes Original semispitzer and RE7 for a MV of 2270 FPS.

This load is accurate, but the recoil is so heavy I have to loop my left forefinger over the barrel to keep the rifle from jumping off the sandbag when I shoot it from the bench. However, I suspect this would make a helluv an elk killer! This load was worked up starting at 58 grains of RE7, and is based on RUGER NO. 1 load data from the 3rd Edition Hornady Manual. Rugers will stand up to such loads, Browning S.S.'s and Siamese Mausers MAY!! NO OTHERS!! I suspect this develops in the neighborhood of 50,000 PSI! It also shoots as flat as a 170-grain .30/30 load.

My all-time favorite .45/70 load is the Elmer Keith 1886 Winchester load, of a 400 -405 grain bullet and 53 grains of IMR 3031. Plenty powerful enough, and safe in most lever actions.

I shoot a Gibbs bolt rifle in .45-70. Those Enfield actions can handle a fairly heavy load. However, I wouldn't go much higher than 54 grains of IMR 3031. I tried 55 grains but the pressure signs were such that I don't think going there would be very wise. But suit yourself. The Ruger is a very strong action and it's quite possible that it can take all that and more. Just be very careful working up loads for it. Remember that a face full of steel from a blow-up isn't very pretty.

BTW. I just put a sportered Remington '03 in to be rebarreled. The chambering is to be .35 Whelen. I think that it's a fine choice for your primary arm. Elmer Keith was right, bigger is better.

Chet :D

Most of our readers are already in the know, but let me add this for anyone who needs it...

There are MANY different guns chambered for the century-old 45-70 cartridge, and some of them are significantly weaker than others. All loading manuals carry at LEAST three different levels of loads for the 45-70, divided by specific gun models.

Using the wrong data for the gun is EXTREMELY dangerous. Use data ONLY after double-checking it with a current manual, and then triple-check that it is appropriate for the model gun you are using.

Adirondacks...I;m betting your 55.6 load is a real thumper from a handi. When using 3031 under a 405 i used 46 grains ( 1500 fps ) 55.6 is about 2.5 grs over max , for level 2 rifles like the handi.

Kentlocks....49 grs of IMR 4198 under a 405 jacketed ? sure ? This is 5 - 6 grains over max for level 2 rifles. May i ask what you are using this load in ? I use 36.0 gr. ( 1500 fps )