Am I doing it right

Hi Guys, I'm loading 45-70 with 3031 and a 405gr lead bullet, 38gr powder, card on powder, seat bullet with light crimp. Now there is a air gap form the card to the bullet base, is this all right, have fired a few and all seams ok. I use the card to hold the powder against the primer for a good burn and seams to be working as not much unburned powder in the bore. I know this is a no no with black powder but you have to compress black a bit as it fills the case up a lot more. Am I ok, :) or :XD:.

Ive never seen the need to wad it up like that.

Yeah I have never needed to do that with smokeless either. 38gr of powder and a 405gr bullet case should be fine it won't be a full case, but still plenty to get consistent burn of all powder.

Your ok with smokeless. Wad would hold the powder against the primer, but not necessary if you getting what makers getting.

That load will give you 1350 fps. 40 grains is considered an accurate load for 405 grain bullet.

Ok guys, the 405gr bullet is a hollow base lee one and I thought the powder could move forward away from the primer flash hole. Well if it`s something I don`t have to do good, will load some without the thin card and check how they go.

Try trail boss Doug
I have a wee bit here
About 12gn fills the case pretty nicely and a nice mild load very similar to black powder in speed
Id say