Looking for some light hand loads for a Browning BPCR in .45-70. I am not looking for black powder loads I need some smokeless. 

I will be only shooting 200 yards at the most for CAS side matches. We shoot for speed and accuracy, we don't use black powder and I have to be able to get the rounds off quick and accurately. 

Oh, this is not my first post here. I have been a member for some time. I couldn't use my old name so I re-registered. 

Thanks for any help you might have, 


Jay

I rarely shoot smokeless out of my .45-70's, but when I do it's usually with SR-4759.   25gr and a 405gr cast bullet will hold up reasonably well at 200 yards and have tolerable recoil.

Chris.

We get a lot of cross over shooters from Cowboy Action at our Club Single shot matches. Most use Trail Boss, One problem they have is running out of sight adjustment at 200 yards.  Pretty obvious when one of the trail boss loads takes off, takes forever to hit our 200 Yard Ram Target. High trajectory marginal accuracy is what I see, may be the powder may be the rifles. Might be the shooters, used to fast and short.

Times I have loaded light 45/70's for short range always used a 350 gr bullet intended for Lever Actions. IMR 4759 if looking for accuracy and less than 200 yard work. Unique same velocity and ranges but have to watch out for double charges loading. Weak action I avoid pistol powders if possible.

Big problem is recoil, manage it with a light bullet, Light bullet needs powder that burns well less than full case not a lot of bullet resistance on ignition.  4759 Unique Trail Boss take your pick

Boats

I remember bringing a new shooter to the range a few years ago.  I brought a Ruger #1 in .45-70 and a bunch of trail boss loaded with 405gr bullets.  I was watching the bullet flying though the air with a pair of binoculars. I could see it hit the paper at 100m, then bounce off the ground shortly afterward and then bounce into the 200m berm.  The hold over from 100m to 200m was quite a few feet.  I believe that those loads were doing maybe 900fps .

Chris.

My standard smokeless light load was 13 gr of Unique behind the Ideal 457124.  It just cracks 1000 ft/sec and it's pretty accurate.

Jay
You might want to try the RCBS 45-325 in front of 21 gr. 2400.There is no need foe a GC if bullet is hard enough with this load. It has worked well in all of my 45/70s.
Tom

Thanks again! Wow there is a lot of help here. It is pretty awsome. 

As I learn more, I have more questions. Do you guys know if I should try .458 or .459 bullets with this Badger barreled rifle?

I ask because my Marlin .45-70 needs .459 diameter bullets to shoot worth beans with .458s. 

You guys have been very helpful. 

Jay

boats wrote on Jun 6^th, 2013 at 10:14pm:


Sounds good. Thanks!