45-70 Trapper...1800fps?

[Chipz]

Starting to reload some elk loads in my 1895. Goal is to push a Hornady 350gr interlock to 1800 fps out of this short barrel. I've got AA2015 and LT-30...is this achievable or am I on a fools errand?

 

[doverpack12]

I have a Henry all weather 45-70 with 18.4” barrel pushing Speer 400s to 1863 fps. 350 Hornady interlocks are 1701 fps to match point of impact and accuracy of 400s.
I’m using AR-Comp for 400s and H322 for 350s.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’ve made some stuff like that with unique pistol powder.

 

[Shooter Mike]

Out of a 16” barrel using 4198 I had some 250gr going 1688 and some Maker Rex 200gr going 2022fps.


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[Superx3]

You might be able to get it done. If you figure 30fps/inch for the Ram shot load data of 24in barrel, you should be right around that 1800fps with lt 30. Accurate 2200 might give you the extra top end velocity to over come the short barrel.

 

[Chipz]

Bump, anyone else? I am only looking for experience with LT-30/H4198 or AA2015.

Funnily enough, Hodgdons site shows a 350gr "Modern rifle (ruger #1 only)" load with LT-30 at about where i want to be, however the same load using H4198 is listed as a "lever action (Marlin)" load with almost identical pressures.

 

[v.niner]

For my personal pucker factor, I'd be looking at other powders to get the velocity you're looking for. H335 is typically relatively cheap and easy to find and should get you the velocity that you want while keeping pressure on the lower end of the scale.

I'm maybe a little more cautious than I need to be, but 45-70 brass doesn't show pressure signs in lever gun pressure ranges. Your first indication of excessive pressure could be something real bad happening to your rifle.

 

[Chipz]

For my personal pucker factor, I'd be looking at other powders to get the velocity you're looking for. H335 is typically relatively cheap and easy to find and should get you the velocity that you want while keeping pressure on the lower end of the scale.

I'm maybe a little more cautious than I need to be, but 45-70 brass doesn't show pressure signs in lever gun pressure ranges. Your first indication of excessive pressure could be something real bad happening to your rifle.

I ended up emailing Hogdon and asking about their loadings, since LT-30 is supposed to be an analogue to H/IMR4198 that is no longer in production. They essentially said that Accurate lists their loads conservatively compared to Hogdon branded powders, which is where the discrepancy lies. Hogdon "modern" loads are 40k+CUP/psi, whereas their lever loads are 20-40k.

 

[v.niner]

I ended up emailing Hogdon and asking about their loadings, since LT-30 is supposed to be an analogue to H/IMR4198 that is no longer in production. They essentially said that Accurate lists their loads conservatively compared to Hogdon branded powders, which is where the discrepancy lies. Hogdon "modern" loads are 40k+CUP/psi, whereas their lever loads are 20-40k.

Good to know. FWIW, I've loaded 300s with H4198 pretty close to Hodgdon maximum published for lever guns with good results, but I tend to stay closer to 28K these days now that I'm older and scareder.

 

[Bluefish]

What’s the driver for a 350g at 1800? Drop, wind, recoil? For elk at sub 100 yards I would use 400 or 500g makers at 1050-1100. Easy to silence and plenty of penetration. Effective as far as you would want to shoot. Only downside is drop.

 

[Chris in TN]

I shoot 350-grain cast bullets in my 45-70. It's an old Marlin with the longer barrel (22"? I don't know). Bullets are powder coated NOE ~350 grain flat points with the smaller 'cup' hollowpoints. I use H4198 when I can get it but ended up with a good bit of IMR4198 and that works just as well (slightly different load data). I don't have my data at my fingertips but mine is sighted in with a load that hits something close to 1850' and it's really mild by 45-70 standards. Even with a shorter barrel I don't think you'll have much problem hitting 1800'+ within Marlin-safe specs. I use GRT for some of my load data but also use Hodgdon and Speer for 45-70 specifically and Speer is generally conservative (IMO) and Hodgdon a little less so.....Hodgdon's data says you can get the speed you want with either 4198 powder with what are basically 'starting' load levels for lever guns. You'll be above trapdoor level but fine for lever guns.

IIRC my load is 45 grains of IMR4198 for 1850'ish but that's with a cast bullet and a longer barrel so don't expect to equal it with jacketed bullets in shorter barrels without more powder.