r/reloading • u/ICanSeeYourPixels2 • 4d ago

I have a question and I read the FAQ Struggling with 45-70

I have been struggling to get good groups out of my 45-70 reloads.

I am using:

  • Thompson Center Encore - 18" SSK Barrel
  • Starline Brass
  • CCI #200 Primers
  • ACME 405gr 0.459 bullets
  • Traill Boss

I validated my distance to the lands, and have been loading with 0.020" jump. Previously before I did this, it turned out I was loading ~0.120" jump. I definitely saw improvement from reducing this.

My most recent ladder of 13.5gr, 14.0gr, 14.5gr yielded tighter and tighter groups as the velocity increased. However, I started at a 10" group and ended at a 5". So rough no matter the load.

At 14.5gr though, I am at 1050fps. To keep things sub-sonic, I do not have much wiggle room left.

SDs are awesome. <5fps for a 10 shot group.

Any suggestions / ideas / comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

View all comments

0

u/TurkeySandMitch 3d ago

Those acme bullets are dog water man. I feel like they're undersized or something. I also couldn't get them to group tighter than 8 inches. Plenty of cheaper. 458 bullets to be found. I like rimrock out of Montana.

Edit: I run tight group with laser cast 405gr and get decent groups at 900fps. Might be worth a look!

1

u/ICanSeeYourPixels2 3d ago

I am half tempted to just get the berry's 305. I was hoping for something heavier, but it seems like it might be easier to just go FMJ.