Primers and other components, 45-70

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

I've taken my new Pedersoli RB out a couple of times, now.  Before this I had a 38-55, so I was prepared to take an uncomfortable recoil.  But it was great!  I shot smokeless hunting loads the 1st time out, then BP the 2nd, and I wasn't bothered by the kick with either.  I have to admit I got rocked back on my heels a couple of times, but that's part of the fun.  Especially when it's accompanied by a Booming cloud of white smoke.  I was able to keep the bullets in a 8" target at 100 yards using Pedersoli's basic, bottom-of-the-line tang sight, and without wearing my glasses (my eyes are plenty sharp at the front sight, but lose it a few yards further).  I know 8" ain't nothing, but I was glad to even hit the target since these are my first tries with this rifle and I don't even know what was in the cartridges--Goex commercial 45-70's.  I did get two shots in the center circle, and I outshot a young guy who was shooting a modern muzzleloader with a scope.  Just don't expect to see me entering any BPCR matches... 

I've just finished setting up for reloading after our cross-country move, and I've been reading everything I can find about the 45-70. I read an interesting debate on a long range forum about the benefits/risks of using LP primers (with a paper patch), but I'm not going to shoot or load anything esoteric.  I'm using what I have on hand, which happens to be Federal Premium LR Match primers, GM210M.  Does anyone have experience with these, or recommendations for others?

For bullets I'm using Paul Jones Creedmores, 537gr, sized to .459 and lubed with spg (I think).  They're soft-- 30:1.  My cases are once-shot by my RB, various makes.  I'm not resizing them, but the bullets are pretty loose after expanding them slightly with an RCBS die, so I may taper crimp a little.

I'll be using Swiss powder under a .030 vegetable fiber (Walter's) wad.  I don't know how much powder will go in the case, yet.  I think I'll aim for around 70 gr's, but my main plan is to seat the bullet without very much compression.

For you experienced shooters, does this all sound about right?  Any tips or cautions for me?  If I get up the nerve, and if my loads work right, I'm going to enter a SASS "long range" (200 yds) side match at the Tenn. state championship.  Purely for the experience.

JD

[Delmonico]

My best advice is like any accuracy loading for any rifle, experiment and let the rifle tell you what it likes.

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

That's good advice, fer sure. 

But I can tell you that the case doesn't like 70 grains of FFF Swiss.  With that much powder and a .030 wad, even with a little compression, the PJ Creedsmore sits an inch too high!  Two lube rings showing, almost 2.5.  I'm gonna have to cut out a lot of powder to get that big bullet in the case.  It'd probably do a lot better in a 45-90 or 100.

[Pitspitr]

In my Pedersoli sharps I use 70 gr GOEX CTG under a Lyman 535 Postell, but to do it I have to drop tube it and then compress 3/8"

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

Pitspitr, Is that load pretty accurate? Also, is the Goex CTG a large grain powder (like 1 or 2 F)?

I used a drop tube, too, but it isn't very long.  If I compressed it 3/8" this Creedmore would fit, but that seems like a lot of compression for Swiss.  I think I'll try 60 to 65 gr or so with a little compression.  If that doesn't work I have several pounds of Schuetzen.  Maybe that'll take more compression.

All my powder is FFFg.  It was bought for my Remington new army pistol.  I should probably get some FF and/or 1 1/2, I suppose.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

70 grns in a R-P brass should give you 1/4"- 3/16" compression to seat the PJ's at the crimp ring. This works for me with FFG or FFFG Goex. Under a .060 Veg. Wad.

If you got your bullets from Sagebrush Products, their lube is a proprietary Alox mix, not spg. it is darker in color than the SPG and it seems to work great. Just don't let the bullets get too hot or the lube will run. After 50 shots (blowtube between shots) my bore cleaned with 4 patches and Windex with Ammonia(oiled the muzzle and the bbl so as not to let the Ammonia cut the bluing .)

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

When I tried 70 grains of drop-tubed Swiss with a .030 wad, tamped down tight but not compressed, the PJ had at least 3 lube grooves exposed.  I ended up with 60 grains and still had to compress it to seat the bullet barely past the grooves.  I wish we din't live in the city confines--I'd sure like to try one'a these out.  The local outdoor range is run by the state and only open Fri-Sun.  Our CAS range is an hour away, but I may just have to head down there....