Author Topic: 45-70 QUESTION? (Read 1226 times)

DARKCLOUD · « **on:** January 16, 2011, 04:54:43 PM »

hi
what calibers can be shot safely from a 45-70?
45 long colt i think,can anything else?

thanks
mark

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2011, 05:04:31 PM »

Just 45-70, they're not even close at the rim, bore size is difference too, if by chance it did fire, the Colt case would likely rupture!

Tim

http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

knight0334 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2011, 10:39:13 AM »

I concur with Tim. The 45-70 and 45 Colt are not compatible with each other. The 45-70 is not a straight walled cartridge, it is a tapered cartridge. Where as the 45 Colt is considered a straight wall case, they are of different calibers(.452-.454" versus .458-.459"), and they have different headspacing due to a rim thickness of .060" for the .45Colt versus .070" for the .45-70. Same thing applies with the .444 Marlin(taper) versus the .44mag(straight) even though they share the same caliber of bore.

colonelsanders · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2011, 10:47:42 AM »

You could reload the 70 case to anything imanginable. But if you go to light a load you will have to put a filler in the case for good ignition.
Colonelsanders

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2011, 11:10:12 AM »

Quote from: colonelsanders on January 17, 2011, 10:47:42 AM

But if you go to light a load you will have to put a filler in the case for good ignition.
Colonelsanders

That's not true, there's tons of low velocity cast load data at Greg Mushial's site, they used no fillers in the 80,000 loads they tested, and there are great powders available for reduced loads that don't require fillers, Trail Boss is at the top of the list followed by A5744 and SR4759, and there's always H4895 with Hodgdon 60% rule.

I've personally shot a lot of A5744 in my 45-120 BC with 30-40% load density loads, no problems with 405gr to 555gr bullets.

Tim

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

Flynmoose · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2011, 11:25:38 AM »

I load the SR4759, goes bang every time. Arthritis dictates a lighter than "normal"
load and it works great. This allows me to continue shooting my 45-70s.
FM

bikerbeans · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2011, 11:44:28 AM »

Fillers can cause you to "ring" your chamber if not used correctly, or in my case, cause you to pull a few dozen bullets and remove the offending filler.

BB

Shu · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2011, 02:29:30 AM »

The 45-70 in it self is very versatile. In answer to the OP's question, No there aren't any other cartridges you can safely fire in it.

What is cool about the 45-70 you can shoot tooth rattling ammo or you can go to the other end of the spectrum and shoot subsonics. The GMDR website has some great loads. I started out using 12 grains of Unique and a 405 cast bullet ( lyman reloading manual). I saw the same load at the GMDR website and alot of others there also. I ran out of Unique and have switched to 9 grains of Bullseye. My daughter shoots this laod also. It cooks along about 900-1000 fps. No cartridge fillers needed. I use a magnum large rifle primer, put in 9 grains of Bullseye seat a bullet then load another cartridge. No worries about position sensitivity either.

There are some that disagree with the use of the fast powders (and I respect that), double charges could be catastrophic. Some advocate the low density powders like TrailBoss. I haven't tried that yet but if you have fear of the fast powders it maybe the way to go.

ham7777 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2011, 03:24:15 AM »

I have used 2400 for over 30 years and it works great,BUT must be very careful and not double charge. Later Tom

rugerfan01 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2011, 09:46:53 PM »

Mr Shu, I would like to visit this site GMDR. What is this abbreiviation.

Thanks in advance.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2011, 01:40:27 AM »

try this link

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm
then click on the bullet weight desired

Shu · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:34:36 AM »

Thanks jeepman, I am horrible at posting links.

I found alot of good information on the GMDR website. Light loads for new shooters, kids and those who just don't like alot of recoil. My thought is, if I can get someone to try the 45-70 with a reduced load they won't be terrified of the big calibers. If there not terrified they might enjoy shooting, then we may get a new shooter added to the ranks.

Also for "normal" loads you can google Hogdon and they have on online reloading manual.

petemi · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:47:38 AM »

Just to add fuel to the fire, IMHO the 22 inch Handi.45-70 is the one rifle to own. You can make it a .22LR or a giant bear buster. I like to sight in each rifle for a specific round that I like to use, and my .45-70 is sighted in for a hot and heavy load, but that's just me. You can do what you want with it.

Pete

Shu · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2011, 04:17:35 AM »

+1 Pete.

The 45-70 is capable of shooting light round balls of about 160 grains or them big 500 + grain bullets.
If you aren't a hand loader you really miss out on this cartridge. If you are a bullet caster you even have more options. It doesn't take a huge amount of cash to get started. You can buy used or cheaper modeled stuff and upgrade as time goes.

rugerfan01 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2011, 04:39:09 AM »

Thanks for the link!!!!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:40:34 AM »

Quote from: rugerfan01 on January 18, 2011, 09:46:53 PM

Mr Shu, I would like to visit this site GMDR. What is this abbreiviation.

Thanks in advance.

See reply #4, if it was a snake, you'd a been bit!!

Tim

Quote from: quickdtoo on January 17, 2011, 11:10:12 AM

Quote from: colonelsanders on January 17, 2011, 10:47:42 AM
But if you go to light a load you will have to put a filler in the case for good ignition.
Colonelsanders

That's not true, there's tons of low velocity cast load data at Greg Mushial's site, they used no fillers in the 80,000 loads they tested, and there are great powders available for reduced loads that don't require fillers, Trail Boss is at the top of the list followed by A5744 and SR4759, and there's always H4895 with Hodgdon 60% rule. I've personally shot a lot of A5744 in my 45-120 BC with 30-40% load density loads, no problems with 405gr to 555gr bullets.

Tim

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

Shu · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2011, 07:08:23 AM »

Oh and I'll throw out there the moderator for this section posts threads and links like it is his life's mission. I would stay away from him though, I heard he owns lots of them handi's and is a major pusher to get folks hooked. Once hooked he will have you reading the FAQs section, want you to go hunting, to the range and posts pics of everything handi. He will put thoughts into your head about new rifles and projects. Get out the tinfoil and make yourself a hat and protect yourself before it's to late.

Evil I say just plain evil.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2011, 07:25:59 AM »

He's an enabler of Handiholicism, plain and simple, can't help himself!!

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:13:59 AM »

FWIW, I was wearing a tin-foil hat when on here hoping to prevent that, then ideas started coming into my head. I took it off but the link was made, now Im DOOMED......

The interesting thing I gleened from the GMDR site for 45-70/405 bullet is that the most accurate loads were all in that 1050ish fps range.

Shu · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:24:50 AM »

That 1050 fps range is just subsonic. Nice pleasant load and you can get about 700 - 777 rounds out of a pound of powder.

rugerfan01 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2011, 05:48:22 AM »

See reply #4, if it was a snake, you'd a been bit!!

Thats for sure! Quick