My 425gr mold, brass, dies, etc will be here in a day or two. I decided on IMR 3031 as the first powder to try in my Marlin 45-70.

I checked the online Hodgdon Data Reloading Center, and only found data for a 400 GR. SPR JFP bullet. What I gleaned from different posts is that people are loading 405gr PB boolits with anywhere from 35gr - 55gr. of IMR 3031.


Is the safe min/max really that wide? I am looking for an accurate plinking load , and an accurate hunting load using IMR 3031 for pigs & deer.

Looks like I may work up from 35gr to find an accurate mild target load, and keep going up until I find an accurate load suitable for hunting.



Wonder how fast I can push this boolit with 3031 without leading?


Randy

Some powders do have quite a range. I personally like Reloader7 for .45-70 and use it exclusively for my loads in that caliber. I have downloaded it to 34.3gr for trap-door level loads which kick about like a .223 and up to 52gr. which in my 32" barrel rocket a 325gr FTX at about 2200 FPS. The latter range does recoil, but with the slower burning RL7, it's more of a hefty push than a slam into your shoulder. My most accurate is 46.7gr. and then 50.2gr with either the FTX or the Interlock HP. 8) I don't use 3031 though, so maybe someone with experience with that will chime in too. 8)

Thanks for that info. Although I chose 3031 for my first 45-70 loads, I will be trying different powders as well. I'm glad to get any info that I can about different powders.

Randy

I like h322 with 405gr bullets, but if your bullet is not of a gas check design you will want to keep it below 1600 fps, in my experience that is about the limit without causing leading.

I have used 3031 in the 45-70, its a good powder for the caliber. You will find that its pretty dirty and leaves quite a bit of unburned powder at the lower levels.
Hodgdon's maximum loads are not for the recoil shy!!

Andy

I just started using IMR 4759 it is real clean. I get my loads from the Lyman book. I shoot mostly 405 flat nose. Very accurate and recoil not that bad.

I use Winchester 748 for all my 300-420 gr loads. Meters easier than the stick powders, can be loaded up or down to suit your recoil sensitivity. I've loaded 48 to 58 grains behind 400-420 gr bullits (1500-1900 fps) and up to 62 grs behind 300's. If your bullet isn't a gas check design, you can always seat one under the bullet in a separate step before seating the bullet. I do this with my 500 gr BPS bullets. Insert the gascheck cup side up, push down about 1/4" then seat the bullet in the case.

It's a common (partial) misconception about bullets, velocity & leading. In other words, if you use too hard a bullet and too light a load, the bullet base will not "obturate" (i.e.; reshape under the extreme pressure & heat of the powder) and will allow hot gasses to bypass the bullet as it moves down the bbl. This will partially melt the bullet lead and cause lead deposition onto the bore.

The old Black Powder (BP) buffl'er gun guys learned this many moons ago. They ended up often shooting hollow-base (concave) and softer-lead bullets that also were slugged and sized to fit the bore about .001 OVER bore diameter to ensure a tight bullet fit and gas seal. With full case capacity BP loads, they significantly reduced leading, and I've confirmed this to be the case as well. I previously loaded my S&W 44 mag with reduced (not necessarily light) loads of smokeless powder and very hard bullets and still got leading to beat the band!

Now, with softer bullets and a reasonable load of fast powder (Trail Boss is good) I get virtually NO leading with a hundred rounds through my Casull and original Colt SAA. Try it. I mean, what'cha got to lose, except elbow bursitis from excessive use of that Lewis Lead Remover, huh?

With really light loads you might experience hang fires with IMR-3031. I tried some (published) loads in the 34gr range and had hang fires. I'm mostly a black powder guy now, but 38.5gr or 40.0gr of IMR-3031 and a 405gr cast bullet are my most accurate smokeless cast bullet loads.

The charges I listed will leave some unburnt powder kernels (or maybe it's just partially burned residue), but accuracy has still been great.

As you increase the powder charge and/or bullet weight these unburnt kernels will go away. But then you'll be in the 45+gr range and with a plain base cast bullet you'll likely start to get significant leading.

If I had to use one powder for all of my .45-70 loads it'd be Goex Cartridge . For smokeless it'd be IMR-3031, although many other powders work well in the 45-70. I've also had good success with SR-4759 with cast bullets, and H-4198 for 300-400gr jacketed bullets, especially in my Ruger #1.

Chris.

In the midrange, 1500-1700fps area, think Varget.

I agree, I am another Reloder 7 fan. I have not used the 425 grain bullet but I would think that 1700-1800 fps would be about as fast as you will want to go. Additional speed is of little advantage and will be uncomfortable to shoot.

.

I just loaded some 409 gr lee cast plane base flat point bullets. As a plinking target load. I use 33 gr of IMR 4831 and 46.5 gr or IMR 4064 Well see how they do.. B2B