Lightweight bullet loads for 45-70

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  • Last Post 10 April 2026
Idahocaster posted this 29 March 2026

I'd like to have a lightweight plinking load for my single shot 45-70. I'm thinking of seing if I can bump up one of my 45 revolver bullets, something on the order of 230 to 250 grains. Have any of you tried this? If you have, what powders did you use? How did it turn out? Minute of milkjug at about 25 yards is all the accuracy I would need.

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RicinYakima posted this 29 March 2026

In my younger beer drinking days, we would load Ly #454424's as cast and a coat of Lee LA in a trapdoor and shoot beer cans at 25 yards. Seem to remember, but you are on your own, it was 8.0 grains of Bullseye. Haven't thought of those days with my brothers in 50 years. 

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oscarflytyer posted this 30 March 2026

Would the "Ed Harris" Red Dot load (13 gr?!?  iirc), be a candidate?  And/or, would it need to be a heavier bullet than the ~250-265 gr 454424?

Regardless, want to follow this, as I have a bunch of 45-70s and this sounds like "big bore rimfire" shooting fun!  LOL.  And, a way to let the grandkids shoot some of my very kool guns gallery style!  

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Larry Gibson posted this 30 March 2026

I use 2 different bullets for such, 260210-HB and 260250.  My moulds are Rapines but I think accurate can or does duplicate the 260250.  This is my favorite close range "plinking load" and it is very deadly on small game also.

Out of my H&R OM 1873 Trapdoor I use 6 gr of Bullseye under the 260210 for 950 fps and excellent accuracy to 50+ yards.  I use 8 gr of Bullseye under the 260250 (275 gr) for 1030 fps and excellent accuracy to 500 yards.  

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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Aaron posted this 30 March 2026

Larry......any filler or wadding in those loads?

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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tlkeizer posted this 30 March 2026

Greetings,

Here is a load that worked for me some years back when I was shooting my trapdoors more.

     270 grain wadcutter\

     55 grains FFG BP

     2 X 1/4 inch fiber wads to fill case to bullet

     Remington Large Rifle Magnum Primer better than CCI 200 primer for me.

This gave a 2 inch group at 100 yards when my eyes were better.

 

TK

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 30 March 2026

I have shot a gallon or two through my Ruger 3 of the Lee 230 gr from their mold for the Ruger Old Army ....   this is undersized, and the main attraction is that the mold is cheap; in my case I already had the mold anyway.

also these poppers are easy on the shoulders of young friends that visit, even in the light ruger3.

undersized don't go fast accurately, also they don't have much bore resistance for clean burning, so a fast pistol powder is the best bet ... I use 13 gr. Unique or equivalent in Red Dot or 700X ...  for eze lube i just seat the naked bullets with greasy fingers.  moly grease usually, seems consistent; Lithium is not consistent.

pop cans at 50 feet is about the accuracy limit for these undersized bullets ...  i haven't tried paper patching or bumping these short bullets,  ...   way too much work when i can just go to a 405 gr for serious stuff.

ken

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Larry Gibson posted this 30 March 2026

"Aaron posted this 2 hours ago

 

Larry......any filler or wadding in those loads?"

No, none is needed with those loads.

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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rhbrink posted this 01 April 2026

Larry, any chance of a picture of the Rapine 260250 or a mold number for Accurate that approximates that design. I'm looking for a mold to use for light target loads -plinking- for my 45-70 too.

Thanks, 

RB

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Ed Harris posted this 01 April 2026

My results closely parallel Larry's. I used to shoot the 265-grain .455 Webley Mk1 hollow-based bullet as-cast at .457 from an Ideal mold, using 1 to 40 tin-lead and 8 grains of Bullseye in an original 1884 Trapdoor. Accuracy was excellent to 200 yards.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Eddie Southgate posted this 02 April 2026

Lightest bullet I have shot is the Lee .457-340 F . Been years since I shot it but best I remember it did just fine in my Marlin CB with the Pope rifling . Recoil is a bit less than the 405 grain bullets I normally shoot . Pretty sure I used either Unique , Herco or 2400 but I can't remember which . Need to drag that mold out and cast some more since I probably only have a couple hundred left in the can they live in. Mine actually cast closer to .459 with the alloy I use. 

I have the Ideal Gould Express mold but haven't got around to shooting them yet. It's 330 grains according to Lyman. Might try it if you can get your hands on one . It's said to be an excellent bullet. Also have a 350 grain mold from NOE that I have not tried . Have the same NOE bullet in 405 grain and it's a booger in the Marlin with a stiff dose of 5744.

Grumpy Old Man With A Gun......Do Not Touch .

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Larry Gibson posted this 02 April 2026

"rhbrink posted this 18 hours ago

 

Larry, any chance of a picture of the Rapine 260250 or a mold number for Accurate that approximates that design. I'm looking for a mold to use for light target loads -plinking- for my 45-70 too.

Thanks, 

RB"

 

My 460250 mould drops them at .461 +/- depending on alloy with a weight of 275 - 280 gr.  

I believe the Accurate mould is 46-275R

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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rhbrink posted this 02 April 2026

Thanks! I'll check it out.

RB

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bullshop posted this 03 April 2026

We,  The Bullshop have the Lyman 457130 available.  It was intended for gallery shooting.. It is shown in the Lyman book as being 145 grain.

 

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Idahocaster posted this 10 April 2026

I've loaded up three different bullets to try. I have a 230gr round nose that I bumped up. It isn't quite as big as I'd like; I was shooting for .458 but it only got to. 457. We'll try it anyway. I also have the same bullet paper patched to .459, and a 250gr semi wadcutter paper patched to .460. I will let you know how they work once I get a chance to shoot them.

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