Load is 38.5 grains of Reloader 7 with the bullet seated to the crimp groove. I haven't chronographed this load yet.

I shot this target at 100 yards open sights with my 1885 Miroku. The shooting Gods were smiling that day.

Sorry for the sideways orientation

However, i have both a 45-70 Shiloh Sharps and a 45-90 Winchester (Miroku) 1886.  I just laid in a good supply of RELODER 7 and propose to work up some mild to moderate, high-accuracy loads with that powder.and 300 to 400 grain cast lead.

Would you mind sharing your experience with it? 

Thanks,

Bill

I've have briefly tried my hand a black powder cartridge reloading of this caliber but not enough to develop a consistently accurate load in my 1883. I have proper BP lube and a compression die. I think that I would like to try and dial in an accurate load for these rifles. I would love to take the WH 1883 deer hunting later this year if the work is completed on time.

I thought that I would reach out to the members here on WACA to see what loads and techniques have worked on their rifles. I understand that each rifle has its own unique preference, but I thought that I might see what recipes have been successful for others. Why try to reinvent the wheel?

Thanks in advance.

TxGunNut has generously gifted me some of the prettiest 330 grain .458 hollowpoint lead bullets you,ve ever seen and I propose to load a series for both 45/70 and 45/90 and see what's what.  I would be pleased to see an accurate load at 1300 to 1400 foot seconds at the muzzle. 

The quest for a reasonable supply of Accurate 5744 has gone for nought. I have a can Mike gave me I'm saving for 33 Winchester duty but enough to service my forty-five caliber rifles can't be had right now. Lyman has a number of recipes for big bores using RL-7 so, when Midway announced it had gotten some in, I threw caution to the wind and bought three pounds. The kegs were gone before I could buy one. I hope it works because it makes an expensive fire ant killer. 

Tom, Rock Island Auctions had a big display at today's TGCA show up in Denton.  All the treasures of Ind and Araby laid out for us proles to marvel at. Nothing to buy, just to note down for bidding later. 

There was one RIA lot you just have to have to impress your fellow downeasters:  a small caliber [45-70] "Police Gatling" for riot control. Yes. Shiny polished brass cover, brass and oak tripod. And an engraved Colt placard dedicating it to somebody. I think it was to be wheeled up on a carriage drawn by deaf or drugged horses.  Take up a collection and buy this bad boy for your local cop shop -- just to watch the ACLU disappear up its own  ..... well, you get the idea. 

Zebulon said
Just laid in Lyman's 4th Edition of the Cast Bullet Handbook.  Several recipes of interest to me list a powder Lyman abbreviates as "Rx7" that I am inclined to believe means "Reloder 7" -- although that seems an oddball way of referring to it.
I've seen "RL-7" and "RE-7" but the "X" makes me nervous enough to ask before I start building 45-90 loads with it. 
Thanks,
Bill
  

OOH Bill you just gave me a warm and fuzzy when you said 45-90! Lets hope that stuff works.

I've seen "RL-7" and "RE-7" but the "X" makes me nervous enough to ask before I start building 45-90 loads with it. 

Thanks,

Bill

Bert H. said

Chuck said
Bert, I agree.  I am using Winchester large rifle primers.  Been using this box for awhile.  But I did have one not fire at all recently.  Problem is I don't know if I have another box of Winchester.  I really don't want to use some of the match primers because they are usually a little hotter.  But I may have to.  
  

I have a large supply of Federal 210 and 215 primers that I use, and a fair supply of Remington No. 9 ½ primers as my default.  I use the Federal primers in everything except when reloading R-P brass.
Bert
  

I have a lot of Federal Premium 210 Magnum primers for my Wildcat Win 284.  And I might have some CCI LR?  I use Lapua Palma brass for most of my modern target rifles.  These use small rifle match primers.   CCI 450 or Federal Gold Match 205 Magnum primers. 

Chuck said
Bert, I agree.  I am using Winchester large rifle primers.  Been using this box for awhile.  But I did have one not fire at all recently.  Problem is I don't know if I have another box of Winchester.  I really don't want to use some of the match primers because they are usually a little hotter.  But I may have to.  
  

I have a large supply of Federal 210 and 215 primers that I use, and a fair supply of Remington No. 9 ½ primers as my default.  I use the Federal primers in everything except when reloading R-P brass.

Bert

Bert

Shots 1, 2 and 4 shot OK, ejected well, and extracted fine.

But shots 3 and 5 not so good. 

#1- 30 grs. no data.

#2- 30.5 grs. 1,396 fps  

#3- 31 grs. 1,426 fps    This round did not ignite immediately and left a shiny spot on the case.

#4- 31.5 grs. 1,453 fps   

#5- 32 grs.  832 fps      This round did not ignite immediately and left a shiny spot on the case.  Also there was a lot of un burned powder left in the barrel.

I tried to make sure the cartridges were not turned upside down to let any powder move from the primer area.   Obviously some didn't stay put on #5.

#3 and #5 both showed signs of pressure. I had blacked out the old shiny spots with a black magic marker before firing.

The mail just came and I got some 38 cal and 40 cal over the powder wads that I will use next time with the toilet paper.  I might try another lot of primers too.

Next update may be after Greeley.  But if I have time I'll try to load before Greeley.  

kujuak said
Good day!

I am up to 4  resizings with my current loads with no brass loss. I do not have an annealer and don't anneal.Seriously considering getting an annealer after loading a batch of old brass a buddy annealed for me. I could feel a difference in sizing (smoother and more consistent). Accuracy was a bit better, caveats rifles all have receiver sights, eyeballs 7 decades old, and my accuracy potential wth iron sights is impacted by sunlight situation.
So no more "I"s, love to hear from folks who hunt with, shoot, and reload 348Winchester/Winchester 71s.
 
Cheers!
  

Buy a gas annealer with a timer.  You have to set up the flame exactly the same way each time.  Keep the case in the flame just long enough for the mouth of the case to turn orange and gives off an orange flame. The blue tip of the flame should be aimed at the neck and be about  1/2" away.  I use a Bench Source but there are many others.  The AMP is at least 2X what a good flame annealer costs.  Your brass will be easier to size, bullets will seat easier, case life will be much longer, cases will stay where you sized them and not rebound so much.

Erik Cortina who shoots on the US team, and is a World champion f class shooter, did a comparison of the Bench Source and the AMP.  The slight difference may be what a World Class Shooter needs but not necessarily what the average reloader needs. 

Zebulon said
How much did you say that induction annealing machine cost? One trip to the ER might fade it. 
  

Speaking of induction annealers, I note that Burstfire has an offering now that’s less expensive than the AMP version. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like it might have merit.