Anyone try loading a roundball in a 45/70,38/55,30/30,etc?

[hans g./UpS]

Anyone try loading a reduced load with a roundball in a repeating 45/70, 38/55,30/30,etc.?
I've done with bottle necked cartridges in bolt actions e.g. 30caliber buckshot seated into neck of 30/06[using perhaps 5-6 gr Unigue]. Works as a smallgame load.
Wondered if the same will work in a lever action-and will it feed.
Thanks.

[Sixgun]

I have done it with a 30-30.  I had some cast round balls about 32 cal from a lee mold.  I sized them to 30 cal and tried it in the neck of a 30-30 case.  I don't remember how much unique I used but it was pretty accurate.  I then tried two in the neck of a 30-30 case.  They both hit about 1/2 inch apart at about 30 yards.right at point of aim.

Sixgun

[Gatofeo]

I've used a single Speer .457-inch ball in the .45-70 case over 10 grs. of Unique.
Seat the ball with its midpoint 1/16th inch below the mouth of the case, then rub some bullet lubricant in the space between the ball and case.
Makes a great, quiet plinking load in my Marlin 1895 with 22" barrel. Also good for little kids, who want to shoot a "real cowboy rifle." Accurate too.
I've also loaded three .457 inch balls over 10 grains of Unique. Place a .45-caliber wad between the first and second balls, then crimp the third ball at midpoint in the case neck.
Invert the cartridge and give it a quick dip, up to the neck, in Lee Liquid Alox for lubrication. Allow to dry before shooting.
I cut my .45-caliber wads from empty soda pop 12-pack cartons.
This is a fun load but it has a serious side. For a while, when I lived in Idaho, it was my house gun. I figured any intruder hit with three .45-caliber balls at about 900 fps wouldnt' survive to sue me.
But I gave it up in favor of a pump 20 gauge shotgun loaded with No. 3 buck.
The three-ball .45-70 load is a fun cartridge to let non-shooters try, unawares: One shot ... THREE holes! Another shot ... SIX holes!
Then you follow with, "What the heck are you doing?"
Usually, they're absolutely flabbergasted and can't explain why there are more holes in the target than shots.
About that time, I let them in on the prank. It's always good for a laugh and makes their first shooting experience memorable.
It's strictly a short-range load, no more than 25 yards. A big box makes a good target so the holes are plainly seen.

[Larry Gibson]

hans g./UpS

"Anyone try loading a reduced load with a roundball in a repeating 45/70, 38/55,30/30,etc.?"

Have used RBs in 45-70, 45 Colt, 45 AR, 45 ACP, 375 H&H, most .30 cal cartridges from .30 carbine up to '06,  most of the .31s (.303, 7.65, 7.62 etc), 6.5 Swede and 25-20.  They are lots of fun and can be great for general plinking and small game out to 30-50 yards.

Did not have much success with 30-30s loaded with RBs feeding in M94s.  Would most often jam on top edge of chamber.  Switched to cast 90 gr SWCs (.311-.314) or Hornady swaged 32 SWCs for use in .30 and .31s.  the SWCs feed quite reliably in M94s and shoot much better than RBs.  Most bolt action Mausers will feed them from the magazine, at least for two or three rounds.  

RBs are fun and easy to load.  I have found Bullseye to be the most usefull powder with these loads.  With 2.7 gr Bullseye and the 90 gr SWC they do about 800-850 fps in a M94 30-30 and with shoot 1 to 1.5" groups at 50 yards.  RBs will do that at 25 yards but not at 50.  

When using RBs I tumble lube them very lightly with Lee Liquid Alox.

Larry Gibson