« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2011, 12:09:41 AM »
I built a 45-70 ML about the same time Savage came out with their smokeless ML. It shoots great and the big draw back is the using of pistol bullets. They tend to be explosive at the speed I can push them. I have played with sabotless ML and think if I had the time it could be very accurate and would get the plastic and heat issue out of the way.
tom,
I also have a 45-70 converted to 45 MZ and I have shot No Excuses 385 grain 45 cal conicals. I only shot a few of them but the accuracy was there and 90 grains of BH209 gave > 1,600 FPS with the 385 grain conical. I also have tried some 280 grain cast lead rifle bullets that have been sized from .406 down to .401. I used a Harvester crush rib sabot and 70 to 80 grains of BH209. The load showed some promise but I got side tracked and put it on the back burner until after hunting season ends. For now I am using 204 grain, 40 Cal LSWCs in the harvestor sabots for my 45 MZ with the thought being the terminal performance of an all lead slug is a lot more predicatable than what can happen with a jacketed MZ bullet.
I am going to have a brass breechplug made for a 444M barrel and go ahead with the 44 cal MZ conversion. I will be using 38-55 bullets in a 410 shot cup. If this proves out I will make the conversion permanent, if not, then the breech plug goes away and I will have another 444M, nothing wrong with that.
BB
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RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).
Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?
Wife's Handis; 300 BLKOUT
MINE: 270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty, 45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.