Mild load using smokeless powder

[Major Tom]

What is a good recipe for smokeless powder in a M84 rifle? I am thinking lead bullets and Starline brass.

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[Viclav]

I used to load 23 grains of IMR 4198. 28 grains is a maximum charge for this powder. While I never did this, some would add a scrap of tissue to hold the powder against the primer. These days I use American Pioneer FF substitute... I like smoke. More forgiving than black or Pyrodex when it comes to cleaning (except for the brass... clean it immediately.)

Victor

"Always carry a firearm east of Aldgate, Watson."

[AKA Hugh Uno]

What is a good recipe for smokeless powder in a M84 rifle? I am thinking lead bullets and Starline brass.

there is tons of information on the web. Most loading manuals have sections on 45-70 loads for older rifles (you should start there). I have found heavier bullets (480+ grains) TEND to shoot more accurately in TDs.

Reloading the .45/70 Page


LoadData: .45-70 Caliber Loads: Ammunition Reloading Data & Information

I personally like these powders:

4198
7383 (good luck finding any)
Varget
4320
4350
4227 (use with caution)
Trail Boss (VERY mild even with max loads)

[joem]

I use "Trail boss" in my M1876 Danish, made in 1882. Good groups and easy to load.

[kaotic01]

Try Accurate 5744 (26-28 gr)

[OlManDow]

I use 25 grains of SR4759. It is a bulky powder and lights well whether the powder is in the front or rear of the case when the primer goes off. No wad or filler required, so there is no danger of leaving a wad in the barrel.

Slower powders like 3031 or 4895 have a unique problem with the 'trapdoor'. A lot of unburned powder is left in the barrel due to the low pressures. When you tip the barel up, powder grains roll back in the action and really gum things up.

OlManDow

waI tried a puff of dacron wad, but it made no difference. soffether the muzzle has ee

[Bear 45/70]

For years I've used 28 grains of H-4198 under both 300 and 405 grain lead bullets. I have a T/C Contender Super 14 in 45/70 and this load was my practice load. I've shot hundreds of rounds of this load at a sitting and never gotten tired. In the Trapdoor this load is a big enough ***** cat that even kids can shoot it easily.

[Buntlineguy]

The Lyman reloading manual has a section just for trapdoors.

[Bear 45/70]

The Lyman reloading manual has a section just for trapdoors.

Any load in any manual listed for the 45/70 Government are for "Trapdoor" pressure levels which is up to 28,000 CUP. Any higher pressure loads are either listed as "45/70 Marlin Levergun" with pressures up to 40,000 CUP or "45/70 Ruger #1" with pressures up to 50,000 CUP. The two latter load levels are not SAAMI approved by the way and a lot of manuals do not show them.

[Curator]

23 grains of SR4759 with the 500 grain bullet. 25 grains of SR4759 and the 405 grain bullet. Less than black powder pressures at the same velocity.