Author Topic: Reload Question in .45-70 (Read 513 times)

LeadPoison · « **on:** November 17, 2005, 06:07:17 AM »

I am going to reload for my friend's .45-70. His Handi is an NJ serial number. From what I gather I am able to use the high energy loads in this gun. I have a Hornady 6th Edition manual and it lists the high energy loads for a Ruger #1 and the likes. Is this okay? Looks like a 350 grain bullet can get to about 2100 fps.

Also the NJ CAN NOT have other barrles retrofiited, correct?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2005, 06:20:28 AM »

The J denotes manufacture in 1995, it can be fitted with barrels, but none of the high pressure asterisked calibers on the acc barrel list. Since it's an older frame that isn't heat treated, I would not recommend using any of the level 3 ruger loads, I'd stay in the levergun loads using starting loads. Even for the newer frames it's wise to start in the levergun loads and work up slowly, pressure signs with straight walled cases aren't as obvious as their bottle necked kin.

http://hr1871.com/barrelAcc/index.htm

Crosshair · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2005, 06:37:44 PM »

At what serial number is it considered safe to shoot the #3 level 45-70 loads in a Handi?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2005, 07:17:45 PM »

M or N, which are '98 or '99, not sure which is the first year they improved the strength with heat treated steel. I can never remember if '98 is the last year of the old style, or the first year of the new style!!

Crosshair · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2005, 07:25:21 PM »

Well I should be getting one made in 04 or 05 so i guess I have nothing to worry about.

MtJerry · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2005, 12:59:24 AM »

Quote from: Crosshair

At what serial number is it considered safe to shoot the #3 level 45-70 loads in a Handi?

H&R has NEVER considered level 3 loads (Ruger #1 levels) safe in their actions whether they were old or new. To avoid any confusion I want to point out that the following is NOT A SAFE answer!!!

Quote

M or N, which are '98 or '99, not sure which is the first year they improved the strength with heat treated steel.

H&R suggests that you use Level 2 or lower loads for the 45-70.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:37:30 AM »

Actually...the confusion comes from all the different loads from all the different books...some Level 3 Ruger loads like out of the Hogdons Annual..takes the 45-70 well past 50,000 PSI on pressure...others like Speer & Nosler..barely make it to 35,000...more depends on which manual you loading from.I'm unsure of what Hornady's 6th edition list the pressures as...but the Handi is more than capable of sustainning the 35,000 psi loads

Mac

LeadPoison · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2005, 04:30:04 AM »

Very interesting.

I will stick to the #2 loads.

Buffalo Bore does recommend their loads in NEFs. Maybe they shouldn't be.

I have always heard that that the .45-70 could be loaded as hot as my 450 Marlin. I was a little sad I didn't get the .45-70, but now I am glad I did.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2005, 05:14:26 AM »

I think for most people, the recoil is going to help determine what's safe in a handi and will limit most shooters to levergun loads or below.

Since the Handi is chambered in 500S&W with SAAMI pressures of 50,000psi to 60,000psi depending on the source, I don't feel that H&R can say the levergun loads are the limit now, very contradictory when they do, and that 's why the pre-'98/'99 mfr frames can't be fitted with high pressure calibers.

Anyone interested in getting the high pressure barrels fitted to older frames needs to contact H&R to verify what barrels can be fitted and the reason for the following statement under the barrel list...

Quote

*For this barrel, please call Customer Service at (978) 630-8220 to see if it can be fitted to your receiver.

Mtjerry, please note my recommendation earlier in this thread...

Quote from: quickdtoo

The J denotes manufacture in 1995, it can be fitted with barrels, but none of the high pressure asterisked calibers on the acc barrel list. Since it's an older frame that isn't heat treated, I would not recommend using any of the level 3 ruger loads, I'd stay in the levergun loads using starting loads. Even for the newer frames it's wise to start in the levergun loads and work up slowly, pressure signs with straight walled cases aren't as obvious as their bottle necked kin.

http://hr1871.com/barrelAcc/index.htm

MtJerry · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:33:49 AM »

Thanks for that Quick, I did indeed miss that statement .... Ya had me worried for a minute ... :wink:

I only posted because i saw Crosshair post a question about what serial numbers that could handle level 3 loads and your response in post 4 started listing serial number dates :shock: .

Have FUN with the 45-70 and the 450 LeadPoison!!!!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:39:05 AM »

Yeah, I kinda thought that was the case, I even had to backtrack to see my line of thinking to get to that point, I can see it would be real easy to come to the conclusion you did!! :wink: Didn't mean to scare ya!! :grin:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:47:29 AM »

FWIW, the Hodgdon 2004 Annual lists max 1895 levergun loads at 40,000CUP, Modern rifle(ruger#1&3, Browning 1895 single shot, and bolt actions) at a max of 50,000CUP, but with Modern rifle starting loads up to 37,300CUP, so that overlap is where the late model SB2 frame falls and each firearm is an individual and what works in one, may not be safe in another, so everyone MUST work loads up for themselves, not just use what someone has recommended. :wink: