Thanks to "aimlowsqueeze" for the link to Western Bullets. I was pleased to see they list the Lyman 457130 "collarbutton," all cast, lubed, and sized.

A lot of years ago a friend now long gone over had a mold for these little pills, and he kept me supplied when I wanted to fool with them. I recently found a little box with about 30 or so of them and got to thinking. I've been pretty much exclusively shooting muzzleloaders for a long time, and the other guns have been traded away or put in "storage" mode.

Since finding this site I'm getting interested in hauling out my two remaining single shots. One's a .22, but I need some advice on loads for the .45-70. It's a Ruger #3, and I'll admit to loading pretty hot for elk hunting. As I aged, it became less of a fun thing to shoot, and years ago some of us shot out the last of my hunting loads and I put away the brass. I still have some Unique that I found a month or so ago, and the dies are still in the cabinet.

I have NO idea what we were making up as "gallery loads" with those collarbuttons. Can some of you folks give me some idea what you are loading for pleasant plinking loads for .45-70? I kind of like the idea of the collarbutton again, but know some prefer roundball loads. And then there are light bullets in mold form from Accurate Molds and NEI. Probably others.

I'd appreciate some recipes for what you've got--the whole column, primer-powder-filler-wad-slug. I'm looking forward to a slow shop in January and could load something up for while I contemplate what to do with customizing the Ruger.

This old newbie thanks you.

I've never used collar buttons, but you can't find an easier load on the shoulder than a 330gr or 405gr bullet loaded with Trail Boss powder.  As they are subsonic or thereabouts, you'll find a fair bit of drop once you get out past 100 yards though

Chris.

Quote:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)IDeal/Lyman 457130 140-145grs
Kermit, for starters, the 457130 is the same weight as a round ball.  
70gr FFFg - 1760fps - LR primer - any wad you have.  Filler?  None, shoot them like a man!

Smokeless - same primer:
2400 - 20gr - 1600 fps
2400 - 16gr - 1350 fps
4227 - 21gr - 1590 fps
4227 - 17gr - 1335 fps
4759 - 22gr - 1550 fps
4759 - 18gr - 1300 fps
4198 - 25gr - 1560 fps
4198 - 19gr - 1310 fps
Unique - 9gr - 1200 fps
Unique - 5gr - 900 fps
Don't know why I wasted my time listing all the loading data because you'll probably just go with the 5gr of Unique.

Can I also interest you in buying a reloading manual too?

With such a small load, you might want to hold the powder against the primer with a small bit of (toilet paper, kapok or dacron).

That will give you consistant right-now ignition - not click ---- booom.

John boy;  i figured you keep all of this data in the great fact file between your ears.  i don't know whether to be dis-illusioned or gratified to learn this isn't so.