Author Topic: New to 45/70 and reloading  (Read 960 times)

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Offline MontanaTrailboss

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New to 45/70 and reloading
« on: January 07, 2006, 03:37:54 PM »
Hello All,
I am realy glad I surfed until I found this web site.   I am not new to this rifle but realy new to the reloading side.  I have read several post about reloading.  I don't want to see stupid but I will let you know what I would like to do.

I have a Uberity 45/70 falling block,  double set triggers,  rear tang site and front.  

I want to get into the long range shooting and definatly want to reload.  I would prefer to do it the old way.  I guess it is with the 310.    the rifle I bought has some dies with it.   RCBS  there a 3 in there.  will these work in a 310 hand tool.

I would like any info and details  to get it right the first time with limited funds.  I know the buffalo shoots go to 1000 yards.  I know this rifle is not the best but I want to win a sharps at the shoot.   is there a simple book  you know the one written for dummys.   Or impatiant people  hate to read but like pictures.... Ha Ha...

what should I start with.   How to do it and be safe.  
powder ,  bullets,  primers,  hand tools.

thanks in advance you can email me directly if you want..

trailboss@rangeweb.net

Offline Ray Newman

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Grand PooBah
WA ST F. E. S.

Offline sharps4590

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« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2006, 05:40:55 AM »
hey trailboss...

If you've read the links Ray posted you probably already know the answers to your questions.  If you didn't, here's a few highlights....

Your RCBS dies won't work in the 310 tong tool

If you want to win the 1000 yard match and the rifle you're going to need tools more accurate than the tong tool.  A press, you already have the dies, a scale that measures at least 750 grs., a drop tube, preferably a non-sparking powder measure, a means to prime the cases, a means to size and lube the bullets unless you can find them already sized and lubed, and that may well be an option, and if you get into it probably bullet molds and a lead furnace and a few other things that make reloading more convenient but aren't necessary.   I, and probably most folks who reload, acquired most of that stuff over time and it wasn't such a big hit all at once.  Anyway, I don't believe you can do it on a shoe string and be competetive......but it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

Venturino and Garbe put out a little spiral bound booklet called  "The SPG BPCR Reloading Primer", or something to that effect.  Lots of good info in that little book.  Paul Matthews has several books out on BPCR reloading and I've found them informative and useful.  I know there are others out there alos, the above are the ones I'm familiar with.

Powder...GOEX Cartridge or Swiss
Primers...Federal 215 Magnum
Bullets.....I like the RCBS 500 BPCR but if you don't cast you'll have to find an outlet for prelubed bullets, then it's a matter of experimenting.  Start with something between 480 and 520 grs.

Personal preferences and prejudices often dictate what a person recommends and I'm no different than anyone else.  The above has worked for me and worked well.  Whatever the reason I haven't won a 1000 yard match and the rifle rests on my shoulders, not my rifle and loads.  It isn't them that isn't capable.

Vic
NRA Patron, 2006
NRA Endowment, 1996
NRA Life, 1988
NAHC Life, 1985
There is no right way to do a wrong thing

Offline MontanaTrailboss

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New to 45/70 and reloading
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2006, 12:05:22 PM »
Well I just took some rounds through it and not to bad of a group.  I shot a good group at 350 yards.   It will take awhile for me to fine tune.   I never thought that windage would play so much.   I am all ready thinking of a better rear site.

I appreaciate  the info I will look into it all ...
The guy I purchessed this from almost won a compatition.  I consider my self a good shot  but the frist one never touched the paper.  

I had to start at 100 and I worked my way to 350.   I just need to get the markings on that rear site so that I know what my yardage is.

I am looking into a press.  besides the 310,  I still would like to be able to load in the field.

Offline Ray Newman

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« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2006, 01:41:14 PM »
Lee Precision makes an economical bench press --# 90045--that could mounted via board to the shooting bench.

They also make a hand-held pres, the # 90685.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1136766700.2972=/html/catalog/rlpress1.html

@ one time, Lyman made a bench press similar to the Lee # 90685, that could also be bench mounted.

Or see Meacham's "Anywhere Press":
http://www.meachamrifles.com/anywhere.htm

Or haunt the gun shows & auctions sites, ebay, etc., for .45-2.1" (AKA .45-70) 310 tong tool & die....
Grand PooBah
WA ST F. E. S.

Offline sharps4590

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« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2006, 01:44:27 PM »
Montana...

Regarding your windage, I'm not certain but I believe you just got introduced to the combined effects of drift and deflection.

Sights are vital.  No substitute for good ones.  And, yes, you will need to record your initial sight settings.  Bear in mind they're going to change with the atmospheric conditions, the range you're shooting on and just you sometimes.

Glad you got it out and at a little distance.  I'm betting you're addicted already.  Great sport huh!!!!!!

Vic
NRA Patron, 2006
NRA Endowment, 1996
NRA Life, 1988
NAHC Life, 1985
There is no right way to do a wrong thing

Offline Ray Newman

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« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2006, 03:21:13 PM »
"And, yes, you will need to record your initial sight settings. Bear in mind they're going to change with the atmospheric conditions, the range you're shooting on and just you sometimes"

So very true. & often easily overlooked.

The amount of light can play havoc w/ your sight picture.  This why many Shooters utilize a Hadley eye cup on their tang sight so as to adjust the am't. of  light & to better define the target.

Another factor is the bullet weight & the powder charge. After about 800 yds or so, the .45-2.1" starts to run out of steam. Heavier bullets buck the wins better. Depending upon design, loading a heavy bullet in the .45-21.1" can decrease the powder charge.

Then there's fouling. Some lubes just don't hold up very well in hot weather & form a hard crust in the barrel, which can hard to remove, detrimental to accuracy, & make chambering a round impossible, or @ the least, very difficult....
Grand PooBah
WA ST F. E. S.

Offline MontanaTrailboss

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« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2006, 02:56:58 AM »
So do the shooters keep a log book of this info.  will the flight of the round stay the same at the same atmospheric conditions.  Is this a good idea.

I have noticed that the marks on the side of the tang site are not for yardage.   that first round I shot was at  225 yards  and set the rear site on what I thought ment 225.   well I don't know where that one ended up but it is way over the hill.  

I do know what you are talking about on the light threw the rear sight.  I will look into the Hadley cup.   I would guess that it is required for them 1000 yrd shot.

I did talk to one of the locals alittle  and he said that the buffalo shoot here is from 400 to 1000 ,  smokeless or not.  life size targets on free hand shot.  

That don't sound too bad.   I gess I will have to get the gps out and set up my own range.   One thing here is that I have plenty of room.

Offline Ray Newman

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« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2006, 06:07:05 AM »
How to use a vernier sight:

http://www.montanavintagearms.com/vernier_instructions.html

& more info @:
http://bpcr.net/index-a.htm

Click on 'technical information'

then scroll down to:

'Dick Trenk - How to Use Tang Type Rear Sights and Insert Type Front Sights'
Grand PooBah
WA ST F. E. S.

Offline dodd3

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« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2006, 03:27:40 AM »
trailboss if you still wont to reload like the tong tool get your self a lee hand press your dies will fit,iuse when i go away hunting  it is very compact.you will need a lee auto prime aswell

bernie :D



if its feral its in peril