frnkeore, when shooting that small a volume of Unique in a 45-70 case, did you go through any routine after loading the case in the rifle to place the powder in a known position in the case before firing? What primer did you use? Thanks.

I shoot 10 to 12 grs Of Unique in all my 45-70 rifles with a Lyman #457124, 385 gr RN cast from range scrap. Light crimp if any, and lately with whatever primer I have on hand. 
They shoot high with standard trapdoor sights, but then, I believe all bullet weights will.

John

All my trapdoors had higher front sights. Set elevation with a veiner caliper & notebook recording decimal inches to distance.

I didn’t do anything special to my light load trapdoor loading either. I did and still do mount rifles the same way every shot. Rested on a bag on the ranges rail in front, muzzle facing down at about 45 degrees . Put the buttplate in my shoulder raise the gun to level and make the shot. I believe it’s more consistent than filler wads. This for offhand, something similar works for bench don’t think I ever shot mine from the bench, prone from X sticks for longer distances .  Homemade prone muzzle down rest raised to the X stick position.   

Down  to level not only distributes the powder constantly, keeps the muzzle pointed below the clubs back berm. 45/70 bullet fired over the berm will will travel a very long way.

Boats