45-70 and 3fg OE

[Eric Johanen]

Great conditions on the range today. Using my Shiloh 74 Roughrider 30" standard octagon barrel. Testing some loads with 3fg OE. Posted the SR-42 (300 yard reduced), centered over the standard 200 yard target and commenced. Load #1: Winchester brass neck sized and expanded. case length @ 2.950. Federal 150 pistol primer with a .005 note card primer wad. 65.0 grs of OE 3fg weighed charge. .060 BACO Poly King wad. Sagebrush PJ Money bullet seated to expose the first two bands, (Slight thumb pressure to chamber). 3 sighters and used the blow tube. Centered up in the 9 ring and 7 shots went in a group 2 3/4" wide by 2 5/8" high. 4/9's and 3/8's. Not too bad! Fouling was slight and soft. Load #2: Same except I upped to 67.0 grs. Added a tweek of elevation and wiped between shots. Chambered with no resistance. Results: 2" wide by 2 1/4" high. 1/X 3/10"s and 1/9 @6. Can't wait to test again. I'll go again with 65.0,67.0 and 68.0 grs. Also ran some paper patched loads on the target with very good results. Will post under paper patched area. A good day on the range really does beat a day at work!