newbie looking for help...

kozman4907

Beginner
Aug 9, 2026
1
0
Good morning Nosler forum members,
I am totally new guy to reloading and jumped into the deep end of the pool. I recently purchased an Uberti 1885 highwall in 45-70, the gun came with 300 fresh Starline primed brass, 200 count of Hornady 300 grain JHP and 500 count of 300 grain Better Bullets super hard cast. The gun came with 3 Rcbs die set.1000 Winchester primers. I am using single stage press.

My goal is to create a load to thump deer. I hunt PA,ME thick timber. My lead hard cast don't have gas checks, are they really needed? I would like to make something to shoot close to same POI with both rounds so I can practice with the lead and hunt with the jacketed bullet.

Thanks Koz
 
Welcome aboard Koz. You’ll find a lot of love for the 45/70 around here. I carried a Marlin guide gun for 20 years in Alaska, a fantastic cartridge. While I am pretty finicky in developing loads for my rifles I only had two for the 45/70. One used 400 grain Barnes “busters” the other a 300 gr. Hornady. The 400gr was loaded very hot and was what I normally carried for bear protection. The 300 gr was for familiarization practice for my new guides and for clients to shoot the steel across the river.
Getting two completely different bullets to go to the same point of impact takes a little luck and a little close enough for the intended purpose. If you’re content with being able to use your practice rounds to hit a steel plate at 100 yards from field positions more or less in the center, you will probable be able to do that. Seeing them group together with your jacketed bullets at 100 yards might proove difficult. The difference in velocity might be your greatest struggle. Resolving these ambiguities is what makes this fun. While I have great respect for the old war horse I only developed two loads in two or three sessions using two different bullets, both that hit the plate at 100 yards some twenty years ago. I used Rl 7. That’s the sum total of my experience with this cartridge. It worked every time I pulled the trigger and I carried the rifle with complete confidence every day I guided. Others will have much more information to share.
 
Welcome to the forum. I load my Marlin 1895G with H322 and 300 gr Nosler Ballistic Silver Tips for 2100 fps. This load shoots .400” at 100 yards and has flattened WT Deer out to 160 yards. I do have hard cast bullets but haven’t loaded any to date.

JD338
 
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