Ninety Caliber Al, 50218 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 What is everyone's favorite smokeless powder for light target loads. Got a set of 45-70 dies on the way, and need feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Unique or Universal make nice light loads for target shooting and Cowboy long range . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus Longshot, SASS #44254 Life Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 I really like Accurate 5744 in my .45-70 rifles. I don't know for sure, but I have read that it was actually designed for smokeless loads in bp cartridges. From the Accurate website: "Low bulky density and superior ignition characteristics make 5744 an excellent choice for reduced loads in many rifle calibers and in large capacity black powder cartridges such as the 45-70 through 45-120 and 50-90 through 50-120" Laz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffield, SASS #23454 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 IMR 3031 works best for me at all load levels from light target tappers to hunting loads. Duffield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Reloader 7 makes a nice, light and low pressure load for the 45-70. Snakebite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 IMR 3031 works best for me at all load levels from light target tappers to hunting loads. Duffield When I shot smokeless in my Sharps, this is what I used. Of course BP is really the only way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Possum Skinner, SASS#60697 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Have had excellent results from 3031 as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepnmud#33546 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 405 gr. LRNFP with 3031 in 30" barrel Uberti Hiwall worked well out to 200 yrds. Sending ya a target pic by PM with the load info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Rifleman, SASS # 23477 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 When I shot smokeless in my Sharps, this is what I used. Of course BP is really the only way to go. Another vote for IMR 3031. My most accurate results (out to 200 yrds -- longest distance range available to me) were with the starting load from Lyman's 48th Edition for 3031 and 405 grain bullet. Also had good results with Accurate 5744. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conestoga Smith, SASS #18219 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Howdy- another vote for 5744. Had good results with it using commecially cast bullets in my Pedrsoli ( Navy Arms) Rolling block, and my C. Sharps 9 current production) as well as a CZ 550 .416 Rigby w cast/gaschecked bullets ( that is another story!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Hanger #3720LR Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Accurate 3100.......800 yards not a problem. This powder is barrel length sensitive. Mostly if you use a load for a 32" barrel you are wasting powder in a 28" or 26" barrel. Ain't much but over time it adds up. I load to achieve a velocity of about 1370'/sec. (This velocity is established by shooting several full cases of Goex FFg over a chronograph. This gives me the starting point to develop smokeless loads for same rifle.) I use 405 grain bullets with three lube grooves. I can't get the single lube groove bullets to group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tommy Reb Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Unique with bullets in the 350 grain range. I know lots of folks like and use AA5744, but for me it leaves way too much unburned powder with lite loads. For hunting level loads, I use IMR4895. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Texican Bounty Hunter Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Trail boss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Rick, SASS #49739L Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 For the light loads you've asked about - Unique works well. I am also a big time IMR 3031 fan. 5744 seems to have a sharp recoil in the recommended loads. CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollifer A. Dollar Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Trail boss +1 for TB, the starting load with 400 gn bullet is a joy to shoot. Holler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attica Jack #23953 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 I use the lightest posted load of Hodgdon 4198 with a 405 gr. bullet. I can break a clay pidgeon at 200yd. I have tried Trailboss with the lightest load and the largest posted load with both 300 gr. and 405 gr. bullets and it did not work for me. I have a Pedersoli sharps and a Marlin Limited II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jake1001 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Another for the use of IMR 3031. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longshadow, SASS #70099 Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 For CAS side matches with my 32' barrel buffalo gun - Trail Boss does it with accuracy and ease Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Reb, SASS #54804 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 1 more for 3031. However you may have to see what your gun likes. 2 guys I shoot with also have 45-70's. 1's rifle can't hold a 3 foot group with trail boss and the other is right on with it. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boon Doggle Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 I'll jump on the 3031 band wagon too. 3031 at the lower recommended loads is accurate and not unpleasant to shoot. I also have good success with Trail Boss at the heaviest recommended load. Good Accuracy and recoil is not bad at all. Just remember that pushing a 405 grain bullet past 400 yards with Trail Boss may bring rain on a cloudy day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Cornelius Gilliam, SASS#5875TG Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Accurate 5744 at standard book loads. Rarely shoot it now though, 99.9% of the time I'm shooting FFg Black Powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monco Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 For CAS side matches with my 32' barrel buffalo gun - Trail Boss does it with accuracy and ease I've had good results with Trail Boss in both 45-70 and 50-95 Express using same charge but with slightly lighter bullet in the Express. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulp, SASS#28319 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 For smokeless I tried 5744 and Varget, starting loads from the book. Varget was all over the map for accuracy, 5744 was much more accurate. But I just like plain old BP better than anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.A. Dutchman Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Trail Boss and a 300 grain bullet out to 200 yards is my favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abanaki, SASS #34557 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I've used both 4198 and 3031 with good results in my Billy Dixon Sharps with a 405 gr. bullet. The heavier 550 gr. loads the 4198 seems to do a little better than the 3031 load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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