Specifically for a new Marlin Trapper. I will never hunt with this rifle, other than rocks in the dez. I say that because I don’t plan on buying four different kinds of powder and eight different bullets to get that nth degree of accuracy. I envision loading 300 grain bullets to a “mid level” plinking load and 400-430 grain bullets to stop Peterbilts.

Looking at the 4198s (is one preferable?), Reloader 7, LT-30 and LT-32 for powders. I’d love for one powder to achieve my two loading goals.

To those with experience loading this cartridge, your thoughts please.

You could look at 3031 (53 gr) and 4895 (48gr)
thats what I used in 86 years ago. Cast lead 300 and 400 lead. Want to have some fun 3gr of 3031 and fill the case with Black powder. Duplex Load great in a Trap Door or 1876 rifle.

I use IMR 4198. 32gr for 400gr JSP (this is my hunting round/bullet as they expand nicely vs the 405 hardcast that put a 45 cal hole going in and a 45 caliber hole going out the other side.), 31.5gr for 405s (plinkers) and 29gr for 500s (Sharps). I get ~1350fps from the above loads. All on what I would call the lower end of moderate and not bad at all. You can shoot 'em all day. I do them this way as I get the same easy to remember drop across all three.

You could certainly load them hotter if you wanted, but this works for me. Marlin SBL 1895 and Shiloh Sharps 1874.

Thanks Gustofer. I was mainly looking for powder recommendations, but your recipe at the lower end of Trapdoor loads made me think a bit more about my starting loads. I was planning on beginning with lower end 1895 loads, but I think I’ll start where you ended up.

4198 offers a good range of charge levels, lite to hotter. Of course one needs to stay inside reputable data ranges.

I bought 8 lbs of IMR-4198 before prices went crazy, probably a lifetime supply. I’ve even loaded some powder puff 45-70 loads with IMR-4227. I don’t normally need to go that low, but have some older powder I was trying to use up. Yes, there is data on doing such.

I have an Encore Katahdin in 45-70. Factory loadings are....stout. And I really didn't need all that power and happened to have a keg of 700X and a bunch of 300 grain lead bullets.

Cast Boolits has many recipes using a variety of powders and bullets.

I use 12.5g of 700x under a 300 lead at about 1200fps out of the 20" barrel. Enough for deer.

I got(maybe always have) a wild hair a year ago, bought a 375 Ruger rifle. I bought a low cost version, Mossberg rifle from Buds.

So far I just created some powder-puff loads with IMR-4227. I’m not even sure if recoil equals a 243. That’s as far as I’ve gotten with it, no real use at the moment.

Besides the lower recoil, those lite loads are super easy on the brass. If just shooting at the range, I don’t mind taking it easy on myself.

Yes, one could ask, ‘why not just load your 300WSM up to full power’? Well, that’s not really the question at hand.

RL 7 always did everything for me in that caliber.

I use 4198 for the hot stuff. Those are potent, but not very fun to shoot. For plinking I like Trailboss, but good luck finding any of that. I'm about out and will probably have to come up with a new load when it's gone.

I’ve started working up loads with IMR4198. Mid-level trapdoor loads and shooting off the bench for accuracy/chronograph is not fun. Gonna have to figure something out when the loads get warmer!