For those who responded to my earlier about 45-70 loads, I went out today but used lighter loads than the 50 gr Reloader 7 behaind a 420 cast FNGC. I started with 42 gr Reloader7 thru 46.5 grains. Also, I tried some 405 cast, leadhead, no gascheck, with H4895 49-51.5 grains and WLR primers for both. Most of you already know these things but this is what I learned. The 420FNGC with Reloader7 are way more accurate than the 405 with H4895. Reloader7 kicks more than H4895, of course I was using a bigger bullet, and even lights loads of RL7 still have respectable recoil. 420's with 45 grains of RL7 shoot about 5" higher than 420's with 42 grains of RL7 at 50 yds. I shot 3" groups consistently with the 420's, but the 405's were all over the place at 50 and 100 yds. My Cowboy seemed to prefer the 420's with 45 grains of RL7. Next time I'm going to compare the 420's with 405gr copper jacked and some 3031. I'll let you know, appreciate any comments or advice.

JimC

Jim -

Having shot 350 gr and 405 gr jacketed bullets, in decending order, here is the powder listings I've tried and found most accurate.

AA2015BR
VV N133
VV N135
H322
H335
RL-7
3031
IMR4895

Jim -

Having shot 350 gr and 405 gr jacketed bullets, in decending order, here is the powder listings I've tried and found most accurate.

AA2015BR
VV N133
VV N135
H322
H335
RL-7
3031
IMR4895

Kdub,

Thanks for the information, how many grains of the AA2015BR do you use for the jacketed 405's. I have a 1895 Cowboy, 26" barrel.

Thanks,

JimC

Both Lyman and Accurate Arms recommend a start load of 44.0 grains and a maximum load of 49.5 grains for a 405 JSP. The higher loading is under 30,000 PSI and should be quite safe in your 1895.

Lyman has a loading for a 405 gr cast using 42.5 gr start and a maximum of 47.5 grains, still under 30K PSI.

Both Lyman and Accurate Arms recommend a start load of 44.0 grains and a maximum load of 49.5 grains for a 405 JSP. The higher loading is under 30,000 PSI and should be quite safe in your 1895.

Lyman has a loading for a 405 gr cast using 42.5 gr start and a maximum of 47.5 grains, still under 30K PSI.

Kdub,

Thanks again, by the way, do you prefer jacked over cast?

JimC

Haven't shot any cast in it yet - afraid of leading it up! No more than I shoot it, the ballard rifling will last more than my lifetime having a steady diet of jacketed. I sorta like to boost the velocity a bit (2065 fps with the 350 grainers) and know I'd be stripping lead like mad at anything over 1800 fps. (Fellas, those of you that shoot cast and want to argue the point are speaking to deaf ears - I know what I know and facts aren't gonna convince me!).

Leadhead's gas-checked 300gr hardcast over IMR4198 gives about 2200fps. No leading in my 22" 1895 45-70

(... I know what I know and facts aren't gonna convince me!).

That's tellin' 'em!