« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44  (Read 563 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Lew

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« on: January 22, 2010, 01:58:49 AM »
Just want to introduce myself. I was able to trade for a Handi recently and have been looking forward to shooting it, and it looks like I'll be able to use up some bullets this weekend! I've really enjoyed and am very thankful for the forum here. My Handi is a '98 45-70 and I have an extra .44 mag barrel. From what I've read here, the 45-70 and 44 combo is pretty awesome. The 44 barrel has a big scope and the 45-70 has a Williams peep sight. I also picked up a die set for 45-70 and for Christmas got a 44 mag die set and reloading equipment, so I'm set up to start making my own cartridges as soon as my local supplier gets the stuff in stock.

I put the scope on the 44 barrel 'cause the offset (the distance from scope to eye) is very close - I didn't want the 45-70 busting my brow! I don't think I'll have any trouble with the 44 in that regard.

I do have a few questions to start off with.

1) What's the benefit of black powder? I've read a lot recently about black powder loads for the 45-70 ... and it sounds cool ... but I can't discern any real benefit, other than the cool factor.
2) I want to refinish my "pallet wood" stock. I'd like to stain it black in a manner that allows the wood grain to show through but is dark. Any suggestions?
3) Given that these barrels are used and have been shot through, what would you recommend as a "break in." In other words, not knowing the history, is there anything I can do at this point to ensure that things are proper and good?
4) I'm not happy at all with the hammer extension I have and can't find many suggestions for a better one. Got any ideas? Mine is flat and hurts to use.
Logged

Offline Daman

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 716
  • Gender: Male
  • Me and Papa's first double!!!
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2010, 02:45:05 AM »
Welcome Lew

I have never pulled the trigger on either. I will tell you to look through the FAQ's that can be found at the top of the page where you see all the topics for this forum. They have several links about painting and staining and some about modified hammer extensions.

Daman
Logged
Live simple. Hunt Hard. Love Life.

I thank God everyday for my loving wife and all the fond memories of hunting with my Papa from a child until now.

Please take time to take a kid hunting, it will be a life long memory and blessing for both of you!

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43301
  • Gender: Male
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2010, 05:47:17 AM »
Welcome Lew! Here's an article on blackpowder in a 45-70 Handi by Junior Doughty from our FAQs and Help, a great place to spend lots of time reading.  ;)

Tim

http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/1871.htm
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline petemi

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (73)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7386
  • Gender: Male
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2010, 08:19:42 AM »
My answer to #3 is to just shoot it.  If it's sparkly clean, I'd put a few rounds through it before I decided if I needed to do anything.  Make sure the latch shelf is dry.  When you shoot for a group, allow the barrel to cool between shots so it is consistent. 

Ya'd better be lookin fer storage space, cause in two years yer gonna have a dozen Handis ;D :D :o

Pete
Logged
Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline gcrank1

  • Trade Count: (24)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7644
  • Gender: Male
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2010, 01:42:35 PM »
Maybe check online too for the types of stock stains/finishes the muzzleloader guys use. They work nicely on cartridge guns too.
Logged
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline Ranger J

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 990
  • Gender: Male
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2010, 03:08:46 AM »
You chose well.  Those are my favorite barrels.  The 45/70s usually come out of the box shooting well.  Evidently your 44 is one of the 'old' run barrels and you may have to experiment quite a bit to find a bullet combo that will shoot accurately.  If it is one of the 'new' run barrels than you are off to the races.  I find Trail Boss powder does well under cast bullets for both these calibers and if I want some ump out of my 44, H110 or 2400 under Hornady bullets does well and 2400 under 405 Rem Sps or Varget with Rem 300HPs will do well.  Hope you enjoy shooting these two as much as I do mine.

RJ
Logged

Offline Badnews Bob

  • Trade Count: (34)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2963
  • Gender: Male
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2010, 03:49:10 AM »
The black stuff is fun but requires more work to use and provides no real benefit other than "It's Fun". Trailboss and 300gr cast bullets is real fun also. I like 405s at 1300 to 1500 FPS for hunting and the deer don't like them.

I haven't shot my .44 a lot but it is a real pleasent rifle to shoot, I gotta get it ready to deer hunt with this fall. 8)

Welcome to the wacky world of handies.
Logged
Badnews Bob
AE-2 USN retired

Offline Lew

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2010, 09:38:55 AM »
Thanks for the welcome and for the info.

Old Run vs New Run? This is the first I've heard those terms regarding the 44. Please explain a bit more - what are the differences, how do I tell what I have, etc. I'm fairly certain that the 45/70 was the "factory" barrel and that the 44 was added later.
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43301
  • Gender: Male
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2010, 10:04:37 AM »
Do a little research on H&R 44mags and you'll find older models had notoriously overbore barrels, those made by Marlin starting in late 2006/early 2007 have .429"-.430" bores, other than slugging the bore, late model barrels will be extractors instead of ejectors.

Tim
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline john-78

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 88
  • Gender: Male
Re: Howdy! New Handi owner, 45-70 and 44
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2010, 05:49:12 PM »
lew, there's a magazine called guns of the old west, (throw in a .com for website) winter 2009, issue # 60.  there's an article writen by mike beliveau on using blackpowder loads, his shooting platform of choice, 45-70 handi. 
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »