Loading Data for the 45-60 WCF

[Rowdy Fulcher]

SR
I have a Chaparral that I cut down to 24 " , I have used the Reloader 7 and I have used the IMR3031 and they both work good .I plan on working more with the IMR 3031 because I have it . I ran out of reloader 7 and it was working good . Will pick up a pound of Reloader 7 the next time I visit the gun shop . Maybe the rain is over so I can get out and try more loads . Today I was using 38.5 grains of imr 3031 and it choreographed about 1275 fps . I used no fillers with today's loads .I have used the Puff-Lon and other than being a pain in the butt it works good .

 

[Silver_Rings]

Hi Rowdy,

I found that with out the filler the velocity spread can be some times 200 fps.  I ran out of I3031, which is why there have been no new loads with it.

Silver Rings

[larryo_1]

SR:
I couldn't stand it so went back and started again with 4831.  Using both the H and the IMR types, I got up to 60 grains in my 45-75.  As I mentioned earlier, my rifle has the larger chamber.  Anyway, I had a hunch that powder compression might be the key to all that left-over powder.  At 60 grains of IMR 4831 there was still some but not too bad.  When I used the 60 grain load of H 4831 that  powder was still there but not as bad as with the IMR powder and I got a 0.8" - 5 shot group at 25 yards.  Hmmph!  Now I'll chronograph it and see what I find.  By the way, those mag primers showed no signs of any pressure at all.  Extraction normal also.  I don' have anymore room in the cases for more than what I used and actually 4831 is pretty forgiving compared to other powders I have used.  If I tried to increase the load it would squish the bullet and that ain't the name of the game.

[Silver_Rings]

These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  These loads are NOT for original 1876 rifles.

They were fired in a Chappy 1876 reproduction with 28" barrel.

Brass by Jamison
OAL 2.26 crimped using Lee's professional crimp die

Remington standard large rifle primers
alt 6100ft temp about 55


Loads with filler use a 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2" poly filler

Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 300 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Reloader 7 29.0 grns filler  Low 1422 high 1478 av 1444 spread 56  4.5" group 100 yrds

Reloader 7 32.0 grns filler  Low 1511 high 1589 av 1558 spread 78  2" group 100 yrds

H4831SC   50.0 grns filler  Low 1239 high 1303 av 1262 spread 64  3.5" group 100 yrds (Mag rifle primer) compressed

H4831SC   53.0 grns filler  Low 1337 high 1355 av 1343 spread 18  4.5" group 100 yrds (Mag rifle primer) heavily compressed


Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 405 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Benchmark 35.0 grns        Low 1337 high 1370 av 1359 spread 33 5.5" group

Benchmark 37.0 grns        Low 1429 high 1501 av 1453 spread 72 5.5" group

H4831SC   43.0 grns         Low 1101 high 1118 av 1107 spread 17  3.5" group 100 yrds (Mag rifle primer) compressed


The H4831SC is the most accurate powder I have tried yet.  The 400gr bullet with 43.0 grns of H4831SC had 3 shoots in 1.5".  The 300 grn bullet with 50.0 grns H4831SC has 3 shoots in 1.25".  Maybe a little faster powder that would allow a compressed load and give some what higher velocity would work as well?

These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  Do NOT use in original 1876 rifles.

Silver Rings

[larryo_1]

SR:
I did some more playing around with both H4831 and H4831SC using both Jamison and WW348 cases.  I had fun and learned that all I can get in my cases without undue compression is 60 grains of these powders.  As I have mentioned, my rifle  has the larger "Uberti" chamber so am able to stuff this much into them.  I did save the unburned powder from each test load and found that there is only about 0.22 to 0.27 grains of the stuff left over.  I had used magnum primers and crimped the loads.  The CV is a little better with the H4831 than the H4831SC.  The velocity that I got with the H4831 averaged 1542.3 feet per second and with the H4831SC I got 1502.5 feet per second. I wasn't too worried about accuracy but they both shot under 0.5" at 25 yards and that is all I needed.  As I said, I had fun doing these tests but, frankly, am not that impressed with either powder.  I am going to play around with some 3031 as I have done some with it a year ago or so and use it in my other large caliber rifles with great success.  In the meantime, I am sticking to my BP loads that give me more "Bang" for the buck so to speak.  If what I have here has helped any great.

[Silver_Rings]

Larryo,

I have had some success with Reloader 7.  It gives good velocity.  The accuracy has been a problem so far.  I found 32.0 grains with no filler sometimes produces groups for 3 shots of less than 2".  Other times I will get 2 groups out of a 5 shot string that are more than 6" apart, each group will be an inch or less.  I have this same problem with most of the other powder I have tried, I'll get a 3" group plus a couple of flyers.  The H4831SC and some loads of 5744 do better.

SR  

[larryo_1]

SR:
Thanks for the info.  I have both RE7 and 5744 and have data on them that I have used.  Some of it I have developed myself.  right now tho, I think that I may play a bit with 3031 as..I said..I did have some promising results with it and jacketed bullets.  I have also had good luck with 4198.  In fact I have been hitting 200 yard targets with that load.  One possible reason of some of my success is that I have that Hoch mold which is a winner and that I went to the 16:1 alloy that the old timers used.  Maybe my rifle just likes that combination  I don't know 'cause every rifle has its own personality and they are all as fuzzy as an 'ol woman.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Silver Rings
The imr 3031 at 38.5 grains is working for me . I have used filler in some and it does help the velocity spread .

[Silver_Rings]

Rowdy,

I ran out of I3031.  I moved to looking for a full case load for both my 300 grn and 400 grn bullets.  I picked up a can of Varget and am going to see what I can come up with it.  H4831SC is good for full case loads but I want a bit more speed.

Silver Rings

[Silver_Rings]

These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  These loads are NOT for original 1876 rifles.

They were fired in a Chappy 1876 reproduction with 28" barrel.

Brass by Jamison
OAL 2.26 crimped using Lee's professional crimp die

Remington standard large rifle primers
alt 6100ft temp about 80


Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 300 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Varget      42.0 grns   Low 1387 high 1449 av 1413 spread 62



Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 405 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Varget      35.0 grns   Low 1202 high 1249 av 1227 spread 47



These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  Do NOT use in original 1876 rifles.

Silver Rings

[deadly doc]

 hi i have been loading imr4227 for about 2 years and it will shoot 2 inch groups at 200 yds
I have seen about 3 other 76s and tre loads thay shoot wont stand up to mine
thanks deadly doc

[Silver_Rings]

These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  These loads are NOT for original 1876 rifles.

They were fired in a Chappy 1876 reproduction with 28" barrel.

Brass by Jamison
OAL 2.26 crimped using Lee's professional crimp die

Remington standard large rifle primers
alt 6100ft temp about 80


Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 300 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Varget      44.0 grns   Low 1506 high 1523 av 1513 spread 17 group 1 1/2" @ 100 yds

Varget      45.0 grns   Low 1534 high 1576 av 1556 spread 42 group 2 1/4" @ 100 yds

Varget      46.0 grns   Low 1587 high 1610 av 1595 spread 23 group 1" @ 100 yds



Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 405 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Varget      36.0 grns   Low 1203 high 1242 av 1225 spread 39 group 1 3/4" @ 100 yds

Varget      37.0 grns   Low 1225 high 1284 av 1256 spread 59 group 3 1/2" @ 100 yds

Varget      38.0 grns   Low 1403 high 1444 av 1421 spread 41 group 1 3/4" @ 100 yds


Varget is looking good.  The 400gr bullet load with 38.0 of Varget is what I am looking for with a 400 gr bullet.  The 300 gr bullet load of 46.0 of Varget is a mild and accurate load that I will play with some more.  Both of these loads fill the case enough to give consistent results.



These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  Do NOT use in original 1876 rifles.

Silver Rings

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Silver Rings
The 46.0 of the Varget looks real good . Have you shot many rounds using the 300 gr. at 46.0 varget ? What would you compare the recoil to ?

[Silver_Rings]

Rowdy,

I only loaded 3 rounds with each for that test.  I've loaded up 10 or 15 now to try the next time out, probably Wednesday.  Even shooting from the bench the recoil was moderate.  Shooting it off hand it should be fairly mild.  You have to take into consideration I'm shooting a 28" barrel so it is heavier.

I'll post after the next outing and let you know.  I'm trying some of the loads with mag primers to see what kind of difference it makes.

Silver Rings

[Silver_Rings]

These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  These loads are NOT for original 1876 rifles.

They were fired in a Chappy 1876 reproduction with 28" barrel.

Brass by Jamison
OAL 2.27 crimped using Lee's professional crimp die

alt 6100ft temp about 80


Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 300 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Varget      46.0 grns   Low 1564 high 1598 av 1587 spread 34 Remington standard large rifle primers

Varget      46.0 grns   Low 1602 high 1681 av 1652 spread 79 Remington magnum large rifle primers

The groups for both these loads were all over the place today.  I don't know why.  Last time out I had a good group with the 46.0 grns of Varget.  The poor groups may be just my shooting as I shot the 300 grn loads last.  I shot my last 5 rds of the mag primer load at the 170 yds 12" plate and hit it 3 out of 5.

The magnum primers resulted in an increase of 64 fps. 



Loads using Colorado Cast Bullets 405 gr hard cast rnfp bullet


Varget      38.0 grns   Low 1285 high 1329 av 1308 spread 44 group 3 1/2" @ 100 yds Remington standard large rifle primers

Varget      38.0 grns   Low 1326 high 1381 av 1366 spread 55 group 2 3/4" @ 100 yds Remington magnum large rifle primers

The 400 grn loads gave about the same group size as last time.  However the velocity was lower by 113 fps.  The magnum primers resulted in an increase of over 50 fps over standard primers.



These loads have not been tested for pressure so use at your own risk.  Do NOT use in original 1876 rifles.

Silver Rings

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Silver Rings
So what load are you going with ? So many choices .

[Silver_Rings]

Howdy Rowdy,

I'll use the 405 grn with 38.0 grns of Varget with either standard or magnum primers.  This load gives enough speed for me and the accuracy is good.

I have a couple of hundred 300 grn bullets left so I'll do more playing with them still.  May be try for a load that gives 1300 - 1400 fps and good accuracy.

I think the 405 grn load above would make a good hunting load.

Silver Rings

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Silver Rings
The  1400 to 1475 fps is what I'm interested in . Are you still having FUN playing with the different loads . How many pieces of 45-60 brass do you have ?? Also have you had any trouble with it  ?? I have about 900 pieces of Jamison's brass and I haven't had no trouble at all . Keep up the good work and don't get to hot .

[Silver_Rings]

Howdy Rowdy,

I have 200 Jamison 45-60 cases and have had no problems with the brass even after 5 - 10 loadings.

Still having fun trying loads. 

Silver Rings

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Silver Rings
Glad your still having fun with the different loads . Having FUN is what it's all about . Keep up the good work and keep on shooting .