March 15, 2025

The 45-70 and H4198 powder

In my quest for "light" 45-70 loads, this powder has come up several time. I'm not entirely sure why. Some H4198 loads look at potent as any.

I just found a 2006 "Basic reloaders manual" by Hodgdon. It lists only "trapdoor" loads for the 45-70. For the 405 grain cast lead bullet it shows: 

H4198  31.0 grains, 1459 fps
A 1459 velocity doesn't sound light, but this is alongside 48 and 50 grain loads of other powders that give 1700 fps. People do say that some of the older manuals show hotter loads that they publish today.

I have a really old Hodgdon manual (1979) that shows (on page 184) the following loads for the 405 grain lead bullet: 

H4198   28.0 grains, 1124 fps
H4198   30.0 grains, 1204 fps
They also show loads for 300 and 350: 
300 grain H4198  31 grains, 1426 fps
350 grain H4198  28 grains, 1159 fps

People shoot much hotter loads than this with H4198 and the 45-70, but that's not what I am looking for.

My more recent Lyman 50 shows these loads for a 405 grain lead bullet: 

H4198  31.5 grains 1312 fps
Varget 42.0 grains 1258 fps
So, how does a Varget load with 10 grains more powder give similar velocities?

I can't get H4198 to try it, so I'll have to wait and/or just try Varget.

Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's Computer Info / tom@mmto.org