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Author Topic: 45-120 nitro express  (Read 1922 times)

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Offline 041gun

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45-120 nitro express
« on: February 18, 2010, 04:55:16 AM »
 Has anyone used this round, of what I can gather it uses the 45-120 case trimmed to 3.125 in and is loaded up to and above the 450 nitro case.
 I ask this question because I have just sent my beloved 45-70 BC of to be chambered to 45-120.
 I realise that the reason the case is shorter is to give a jump space for the projectile just like the Weatherby Magnums do so pressure factors will not be an issue.
 I plan on using this rifle for an up coming Buffalo hunt and figured that I would up grade the BC and use.
 Love the forum and look forward to any infomation I can get on this cartridge
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Offline BillinOregon

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2010, 05:06:20 AM »
041: Tyler Kemp should chime in here pretty soon. He's a pioneer on the topic of rechambering the BC to .45-120. This is actually much more practical than rechambering to the .450 NE, as the latter uses cases involving two rim thicknesses, and the cases and dies are very spendy. The .45-120 is much more affordable. You'll have a heck of a buffalo thumper when your project is completed.
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Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2010, 08:20:19 AM »
I can't believe Tim hasn't said something.   :-\

Do a search in this forum.  You will find hours of enjoyable reading on the 45-120.   ;)

I believe the name "45-120 Nitro Express" is just a moniker coined by Jeff "jeffeosso" Smith to denote his playing around with higher pressure loads in the 45-120 Sharps.  It's about as valid a cartridge name as my name for my 45-120; my 450 Sharps Express.  Actually I prefer my name...  ;D

ix-nay on the shortening of the 3.25 inch case, don't know where you got that.   :-\  Based on Tim's recommendation and Tyler's experience with 405's, I just throated my rifle's chamber out a little, actually about .250 inch, so there was no question about room for 500 and 500+ grain bullets.  BTW, If you need it, I sent Tyler the extension I made for the throater when I was finished with it so he could throat his rifle.  He has shot 700 + gr. bullets!   :D  And trust me, there is no need to give the rifle extra freebore to decrease pressure ala Weatherby.   ::)

I could go on and on... andonandonandon   :-[, but you'll be happy to know I won't.   :P  Suffice it to say there are a bunch of us here with BC's in this chambering.  And like I said, go back through the topics and you will find plenty of discussion on this fun round! 
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2010, 08:53:32 AM »
Richard, I thought I'd let you guys have first crack at this, but here's Tyler's chrono thread.  ;)

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,148995.msg1098618734.html#msg1098618734

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Offline Mike in Virginia

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2010, 10:41:34 AM »
I ain't shootin' no 45-120.  No sir, no way, never again.  I admire the real men in this world who can handle it. 
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Offline Slowhanddd

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2010, 11:04:16 AM »
Don't know if I admire them or just fell sorry for their wives.Have to hear all their complaining about the sore shoulder and stiff necks. ;D Slow
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2010, 11:53:56 AM »
It's wayyyy safer to complain about that, than about them!
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Offline 041gun

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2010, 02:36:18 AM »
Thanks for all the info on this cartridge. The bit about the cartridge size was from ammoguide but its good to know I dont have to do the trimming of the cases.
I'm only new to this site but love reading the forums and its great to have so many people that enjoy the H&R rifle and shotguns. Here in Australia alot of people cant see the good things about them so thanks for the info and keep up the great site.

Lindsey
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Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2010, 04:11:34 AM »
Quote from: 041gun on February 19, 2010, 02:36:18 AM
Here in Australia...

Hey Lindsey!

So you're in Oz!  Well heck boy!  You lucky!   :o  You can play around with the 45-120 and actually have something to hunt with it when you work up a real thumper load!  Now I know what you meant when you were talking about hunting buffalo!   :D

It's my opinion, humble opinion of course  ::), that the 45-120 is almost the ballistic and physical twin of the 450 NE.  But you know that if you have gone to AmmoGuide and done a visual and ballistic comparison.  Surely the lay person would never know the difference when you whip out that 3.7 inch (or longer) monster!  Wimmins swoon and men glare in envy!   8)

Richard
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Offline 041gun

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2010, 10:35:02 AM »
 Thanks Richard as far as I can see your opinion is right on the money about the ballistics and dimensions of the 45-120 and the 450 NE.

That was the main reason I was looking at that case to start of with that and I have access to the reamers required without all the hassle of the NE cost for the build and load development. ;).

I am really thankful for the feed back that you have left over my question and it has made me really sure of building this rifle in this cartridge.
And as to women swooning my wife just shakes her head and thinks I've gone Mad but what a wonderful madness it is ;D
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Offline miyata

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2010, 10:42:50 AM »
Whereabouts in Oz are you?

I'm in Tassie, and I just shot my .45-120 Handi for the first time yesterday.
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Offline Rustyinfla

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2010, 10:43:21 AM »

  I don't really have a dog in this fight or a rifle in either caliber but just as a question, would NE brass be easier for you to get down under than standard .45-120 brass? At what cost?
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Offline miyata

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2010, 10:46:03 AM »
I bought Norma brass in .45-120 without problem in Melbourne at a whopping $A3.44 a case.... and that was a discounted price after haggling.

(Oh yeah, that's about $us2.80 before tax)
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Offline 041gun

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2010, 04:35:35 PM »
I found that I can get Bertram Brass for about $3.80 a piece and no dramas about the different rim thicknesses as compared to the 450 nitro. That price is from the gunshop and no problem about quantities that I would require.
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Offline 041gun

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2010, 04:37:55 PM »
Miyata Im in queensland about an hour out of Brisbane.
So what did you think opf the 45-120 in the H&R.
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Offline miyata

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2010, 07:41:20 PM »
Yeah it was fun yesterday with the mild loads... today it got a bit more serious when I changed to AR2209..... nudging 4000ft-lb.... kicks a bit, but not too bad.  I think I'll stop at 90gn with the 350gn Hawkesbury River cast lead RN.  I'm in Melbourne next week, so I'll pick up some 405's and get them to 2100fps.  All good clean fun.

What plans do you have for yours?  Btw, what model is it... I went for the s/s thumbhole jobby with 24" barrel.
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Offline 041gun

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #16 on: February 19, 2010, 08:09:06 PM »
I'm building my for a Buffalo hunt next year and plan on using Woodliegh 480gr hydrostatic stabilised projectiles.
I,ve got the Buffalo Classic.
Looking forward to getting it all sorted and doing some range testing. The 2 other guys I'm going with are taking a 585 Nyati and a 500 Jefferies.
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Offline miyata

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #17 on: February 19, 2010, 11:11:36 PM »
Sounds like fun.

I have a box of 500gr Woodleigh PP that I was hoping to use, but I don't have enough freebore/throat.... I'll need to ream it out a little.

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Offline 041gun

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #18 on: February 19, 2010, 11:55:32 PM »
know what you mean I had to specify the maximum cartrige length so that doesn't happen fortunately caught that one early on.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #19 on: February 20, 2010, 04:30:34 AM »
'You're a better man than I, gun-ga-din' !
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"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 041gun

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Re: 45-120 nitro express
« Reply #20 on: February 20, 2010, 09:53:54 AM »
Hi Gcrank not a better man just a little bit crazier  ;D
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