45-70: How light can you load them?

[Bladeforger]

The 45-70 has been around for over 100 years, so someone has to have developed some light but accurate loads.  I'm thinking about getting one and want to be able to load something that uses a bullet in the 250-300 grain range and that, perhaps with Bullseye, gets into the 900-1,000 FPS range.  Is this possible to do safely? 

And, yeah, I know I might have to work with a different trajectory.  I'd be prepared to figure that out.

The goal is to have one rifle that does many things--with different loads.  A Buffalo Classic in the 45-70 might just be the ticket.

Thanks,
Keith

[Smokin Joe]

Check this page:


http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

[Bladeforger]

Thanks for the link, SmokinJoe!  I see, now, that it is in the FAQ but I missed the short description.  It looks like they have a book available that has some reduced loads in it.  Probably would be worth purchasing if I do, indeed, end up with the 45-70.

Has anyone here actually used some of the reduced loads?  Good results?

I'd love to have an additional barrel in 32-40 (SS as opposed to WCF), but there doesn't seem to be a source for those barrels.  I guess a 30-30 barrel could be bored out, re-rifled, and reamed to fit.  That is adding a lot of cost to the project.  Admittedly, it's still a lot cheaper than scrounging around for a nice old 44 1/2; however, part of my goal was to do the whole rifle without getting up into the $1,000 category.  If I can use light loads on a 45-70 that approximate the reliability, accuracy, recoil, and cost-to-shoot of the 32-40 for punching holes and STILL have a rifle that was capable of bringing down big game if I got that wild hair.

So, if anyone else has done the reduced loads, I'd be most appreciative to hear from you.

Keith

[siamese4570]

bladeforger: I have loaded .457 round balls in mine.  They worked well at 25 yds.  Don't remember the load, but I'll look it up when I get home tonight.

saimese4570

[Rustyinfla]

  There is also a cast bullet often refered to as a button because of it's appearance. It's a .45 cal cast bullet that looks like a very short wad cutter.

[quickdtoo]

The Collar Button bullet Rusty refers to is available from Western, I have some but haven't shot any. 

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,105433.msg1098296760.html#msg1098296760

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,59864.msg359730.html#msg359730

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,47407.msg275330.html#msg275330

[tykempster]

I've done .457 round balls with 2.5 grains Unique and you can see the round ball fly and it makes a sound like water going through a water hose.  Blooooooop!

[BowHunter252]

I've been shooting some 500gr (actualy about 485) cast bullets over 9 grains Trail Boss.  Velocity is about 750fps.  They seem pretty accurate, but I have only shot with open sights which gave me 3" or less groups at 125 yards.

[Bladeforger]

Thanks!!!!! 
That's perfect!  Thanks a bunch!  Good information and good links. 

I went to the Western Bullet website and see they still sell the collar button bullets.  I guess those 457130 dies must be 'bout rare as hen's teeth now, but at least someone is still casting them.  Great load data.  Looks like I'll have to do some shopping now... If you can't hunt buffalo anymore you can at least hunt for a Buffalo Classic.   

Keith