Loading Data for the 45-60 WCF

[matt45]

I don't have an Oealher (sp?) but...  The case expansion @ the base of the case is quite a bit less than the 30grs. of 4198, so I've got a batch of 40grs of 4895 to test.  Needless to say, and to give all credit where it is due, I think Silver Rings has done most of the grunt work.
     Anyone ever tried WW 748?  I've had good luck w/ that in my 45-70

[matt45]

Temp- 29.1 F, barometer- 29.76, Altitude 5795 ft.
Uberti w/ 28" barrel
42 grs IMR 4895, Fed large rifle primers

AVG- 1477 fps
Hi- 1527
Low- 1428
SD- 37.9

I note that this is not as consistent as the 38 gr. load was.  This tells me this is probably the top level for this powder.  Group size is still consistent @ the 1.25 @ 50 yds., however.

[Zeroin]

Ok, new to reloading the 45-60 so why don't I see anybody using jacketed bullets?

[Silver_Rings]

I don't need jacketed bullets for shooting targets.  Also jacked bullets are not allowed in CAS matches. 

Some people have talked on this forum about using jacketed bullets.  No reason you can't use them.

Silver Rings

[matt45]

Just went through the intermediate testing with Varget, and am about ready to stop testing.  The results are excellent- 3/4 groups being the standard.  This is a powder/ bullet combo (Varget- 300 gr cast) that I would suggest as a starting point for Uberti barrels.

[Jake C]

Got a quick question for you good folks. With a Uberti replica '76, there's no issue with using hard lead bullets, right? I know with originals, you want to keep it soft, but when I get my '76, I was planning on using the Missouri Bullet Co.'s 300 grain RNFPs, which have a brittle of 18. Figured I'd ask before I spent my money.

[larryo_1]

Jake:
I do not have a 45-60 but, rather a 45-75. You can use hard lead bullets if you want but I use 16:1 bullets of my own alloy.  I have tried the hard lead ones but my rifle did not like them very much.  The bullets that I use are cast from a custom Hoch mold and are for the 350 grain bullet.  Now, my suggestion would be to find someone who might part with a few of those hard ones to try first before spending a bunch of money on a bunch of them. Now I am not saying that they are bad or whatnot as each rifle has its own pecularities about what it likes the most.  Mine--after a whole bunch of trials and errors seems to like what I am using.  I do n ot know if this helps you or not but figgured that it might help you a mite.

[Jake C]

Jake:
I do not have a 45-60 but, rather a 45-75. You can use hard lead bullets if you want but I use 16:1 bullets of my own alloy.  I have tried the hard lead ones but my rifle did not like them very much.  The bullets that I use are cast from a custom Hoch mold and are for the 350 grain bullet.  Now, my suggestion would be to find someone who might part with a few of those hard ones to try first before spending a bunch of money on a bunch of them. Now I am not saying that they are bad or whatnot as each rifle has its own pecularities about what it likes the most.  Mine--after a whole bunch of trials and errors seems to like what I am using.  I do n ot know if this helps you or not but figgured that it might help you a mite.

Thank you, much appreciated. I think Missouri Bullet Co. sells sample packs of their bullets, so I'll grab one of those, when that day comes and try them. If those don't work, I'll try to find a company that sells soft-cast bullets in the right size/weight.

[Gabriel Law]

Hard bullets leaded my bore badly in my Uberti '76 45-60.  Accuracy suffers when a barrel leads up.

[Grapeshot]

Stick with soft lead at 20:1 Lead/Tin mix.  If you need it harder add TIN.  This will allow the boolit to obdurate and fill the bore and keep the hot gases behind the boolit where it belongs.

{Of course you can use Jacketed bullets.}

[DTS]

Thank you, much appreciated. I think Missouri Bullet Co. sells sample packs of their bullets, so I'll grab one of those, when that day comes and try them. If those don't work, I'll try to find a company that sells soft-cast bullets in the right size/weight.

My brother's .45/60 M76 leads badly with trail boss loads using hard commercial bullets, but the rifle's accuracy was still very good yesterday, at 100 meters.
With soft bullets, no leading.

[matt45]

Question for the board- with Black powder loads, has anyone ever tried enlarging the flash hole to .096?  This is a must for my old trapdoor- considering that considerable powder compaction happens w/ the 45-60, I was wondering if it helped?

[Buzzard Bayne]

I have a Uberti 1876 in 45-60.  I worked up some loads using the 350 grain Plated Flat Point from Berry's Bullets.  I used IMR 4198, Jamison Brass, and CCI 200 primers.  I shot five shot groups

Grains   Average FPS     SD
25.0      1224               36.4
25.5      1266               30.7
26.0      1284               21.8

All shot less than 2 inch groups at 100 yards. 

[Snkbittin]

I have a Uberti 1876 in 45-60.  I worked up some loads using the 350 grain Plated Flat Point from Berry's Bullets.  I used IMR 4198, Jamison Brass, and CCI 200 primers.  I shot five shot groups

Grains   Average FPS     SD
25.0      1224               36.4
25.5      1266               30.7
26.0      1284               21.8

All shot less than 2 inch groups at 100 yards. 

Buzzard what are you using for crimp die?...i have a bunch of Berry but thought i wouldn't be able to use them

[matt45]

Here is a load w/ Black powder (Shutzen FFG) and the cases prepared ala Wolf (flash holes drilled to 0.096).  BAC 350 gr bullets used
AVG Vel- 1233
Hi- 1246
low- 1214
SD- 10.6

Contrast this w/ not boring flash holes, using powder compacting die, etc.  Hi was 1293, low was 1150, SD was 21.7.  However, at this time, the results on the range were disappointing- 2 1/4 at 50 yards.  That could be from bad eyes.  I will try wads next

[hammer1]

Has anyone tried H4895, I am interested in trying it with 325-350 gr fp lead. Thanks

[matt45]

     I didn't use H-4895, but I have used IMR 4895, so the burn rate is almost identical.  The data is on this thread, back there somewhere.  I started w/36 grs, ended up w/ 40.  The best result was right in the middle @ 37.5.  Vel was 1337 fps. (300 gr. bullet) w a SD of27.3
To be honest, I had better luck w/ 4198.  As to the difference between the bullet weights, I have noticed very little difference w/ anything between 300gr and 350.  If you do use H- 4895, I'd start out w/ the 33 gr start up.  I think Ken Waters tried that years ago.  he settled w/ 4198.

[hammer1]

Thanks, Matt45

[hammer1]

Matt, I want to stick with 4895, because I am in a area, where powders can be difficult to come by. I am very short on variety which I used for a while, now, can't find any. H4895, I have a lot of, and it's easy to find

[Chuy Chacon]

Go back to pg2


Chuy