SlickSausage Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Hey all, I'm looking to reload some 45-70 for my Sharps and 1886. Can anyone suggest a bullet weight and powder that I can create some plinking loads for the 1886? In addition, I'm looking to switch powders (IMR 4895) for the Sharps as there are too many unburnt grains left in the barrel. Can anyone recommend one that can be used for both plinking loads for the 1886 and 405 grain bullet for the Sharps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 405 flat point and 13.5 gn of Unique. Use a firm roll-crimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Lever gun 405g w the holy black(2f) to the base of the bullet, just ever so slightly compressed. Sharps? Same.can use a veggie wad between powder and bullet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSausage Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 (edited) On 3/20/2024 at 7:24 PM, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: 405 flat point and 13.5 gn of Unique. Use a firm roll-crimp. How position sensitive is the powder? I've read some posts in regards to that that make me a bit weary about using it. Edited March 22 by SlickSausage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSausage Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 5 hours ago, ORNERY OAF said: Lever gun 405g w the holy black(2f) to the base of the bullet, just ever so slightly compressed. Sharps? Same.can use a veggie wad between powder and bullet Used black powder in the past, would prefer to go smokeless for now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 32 minutes ago, SlickSausage said: How position sensitive is the powder? I've read some posts in regards to that that make me a bit weary about using it. Have used that load for years in my Jap '86. Do NOT use any filler..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSausage Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 1 minute ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: Have used that load for years in my Jap '86. Do NOT use any filler..... Keep seeing reports to use filler, or not to use filler. Have you experienced any hang fires yourself while using Unique? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Just now, SlickSausage said: Keep seeing reports to use filler, or not to use filler. Have you experienced any hang fires yourself while using Unique? If I did, I wouldn't be using it, or recommending the load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSausage Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 (edited) 2 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: If I did, I wouldn't be using it, or recommending the load. Thank you, I'll give it a go. I also saw that it can be used for .38sp / 357mag, do you have any experience with using Unique for those two? Also, how dirty of a powder is Unique? Edited March 22 by SlickSausage 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarcasmn Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 (edited) I have two 45-70s. I got into the cartridge years ago shooting an 1874 in BCPR silhouette matches. I liked a 535 grain postel bullet except for the chickens. That was a lot of bullet to shoot from offhand. when I retired, my troops gave me a Marlin 1895 Cowboy. Love that gun. I started off with checking out the different offerings of factory hunting rounds. These were somewhere in the range of 2100 fps. They also kicked like a mule. I knew from my experience with black powder cartridges that was really fast. Heck in the old days they were loading around 1300 fps and killing buffalo with them. I loaded up some 405 grain bullets with Trail Boss. Much easier on the shoulder and the two deer I have taken dropped right there. I use Trail Boss a lot for that rifle. look for Trap Door loads for plinking. Edited March 22 by sarcasmn Add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 45 minutes ago, SlickSausage said: Thank you, I'll give it a go. I also saw that it can be used for .38sp / 357mag, do you have any experience with using Unique for those two? Also, how dirty of a powder is Unique? Unique is all I load my SASS ammo with, including SG. There's a very good reason why it's called 'Unique'. https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still hand Bill Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 5744 is a great powder for light loads. Around 20g should be a really light load. I found the light loads were gun dependent for speed when working up sub sonics and loads varied by a grain or two between barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 No current loading manuals have loads that require fillers. Too many people were ringing chambers because they improperly inserted the filler. Unique is an exceptionally versatile powder. Not temperature or position sensitive and works well in large volume rifle cartridges as well as pistol and shotgun loads. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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