Varget vs. 4198

[Lanny]

Fellas, can you give me your two cents on this one?
I'm at a dilemma. My .45-70 Uberti Highwall likes two loads, both using Sierra's 300-gr. bullet. With 60 grs. of Varget, it groups at 12 o'clock 3-1/2" above a 6 o'clock point of aim on a 6" bullseye. With 41.2 grs of IMR 4198, it groups at 2 o'clock, just a tad bit tighter. I do my range work about 60' above sea level. I will hunt deer at 7,000-9,000'.

I know the 4198 load is a familiar one with target shooters. But it leaves a lot of empty air space in the case and I'm concerned that I might get inconsistent, or weird, ignition (due to powder position) at the elevations I will be hunting. The target guys just say tilt my gun upward before shooting to position the powder against the primer. Obviously, this is not likely to pay dividends when hunting close-range to a sharp-eyed trophy. Filling the air space with materials can lead to bore "ringing," or so I've been told and read.

Can ya'll give me your ideas on which load to hunt with? Am I worrying over nothing here ?

[Treegunner]

Alot of shooters around my area who use 4198 will fill the case with desired powder quantity then put a 3/4 by 3/4 polyester batting patch (buy it by the roll in the sewing section at Wal Mart) and compress the load with it, but others say ot really doesn't make a difference. I havent had the chance to research it for myself yet.

Maybe some more experienced 45-70 shooters can add their knowledge.

[Lanny]

On the basis of avoiding Murphy in the back woods, I've decided to use Varget over 4198. Thanks for the reply Treegunner.

[Treegunner]

I am glad you mentioned Varget, I use that in my 308 and if I can get that to work better in the High Wall then I can stick with the one powder.

I am just enamored by the beauty of this 45-70, even my dad said that it is better looking than his old M-1, and from him that says a lot.
Hope you get the big buck.

[Lanny]

Went to the range last Sunday and used those Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C targets to mark my groups. I put a 5-1/2" SNC on the 6-1/2" military black bullseye and two smaller SNCs at 7" and 12" above the bullseye. Then counted the clicks on my Marble tang sight: took 13 clockwise clicks to go from 7" to 12" high, all with a 6 o'clock hold on the 6-1/2" bullseye. That's where the bullet should land at 100 yds. for 200 and 250 yd. zeros, respectively. The 300-gr. Sierras and 60 grs. of Varget (30 rds.) punched pleasing, 1-1/5" - 2" groups. 41.2 grs. of IMR 4198 might have been tighter, but I don't think they have the MV of my Varget load and would have probably required more clicks on my sight.