Author Topic: Deer load for 45-70 (Read 825 times)

Bugtussle · « **on:** March 11, 2006, 10:04:30 AM »

Hey guys ( & gals if appropriate)

Last fall I bought a 45-70 barrell for my contender so I could use it in Illinois. It shoots real well but it keeps banging me on the knuckle of my middle finger.
I have been shooting the Winchester 300gr JHPs they have at Wallyworld.

What might be a good reciepe if I start loading my own ?

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2006, 12:39:30 PM »

per Thompson center for the Contemder you need to keep pressure down to around the trapdoor leveal. the encore can handle hotter loads up to the lower loads for the 1895 rirfle.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2006, 03:22:07 PM »

If you start reloading, get a good manual that lists the TC load data. It is best to find a load that works in your gun, what works in my gun may not work well in yours.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2006, 04:51:29 AM »

I don't think I've shot the Winchester load, but most factory 300gr loads are at or below Trapdoor level. Which hand are you getting the knuckles banged on? I assume its the off-hand, about the middle or ring finger getting raped by the tang of the trigger guard. Leather shooting gloves help but repositioning the hand is the key. I used to have a bad habit of laying my middle finger of the off hand around the outside of the tang. OUCH!!!! After lots of band-aids, blood loss, and considerable unclassified disscussion w/ self, I finally learned to put finger elsewhere. And yes, it was the 45-70 that drove this lesson home. Even with my rather small fingers there's not enough room behind the tang for the off hand fingers to fit either. Putting the middle finger there gets a good rap squarely on the knuckle. I leave my index finger out straight, and cup the rest of them around my trigger hand but below the tang. If you haven't done so already, this is a good place to introduce the Pachmeyer Decelerator Grip(assuming Contender rather than Encore here). GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt :grin:

Bugtussle · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2006, 06:51:45 AM »

I'm banging the knuckle of my trigger hand on the tang. Never had a problem when I was shootin 30-30's. I do wear a glove, figured that out after one shot. Maybe I need to start working out to strengthen my grip so I can hang on to the thing.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2006, 02:16:25 PM »

Well, I'm at a loss now...never had a problem on the trigger hand. I try to use a constant firm grip but I'm certainly not squeezing the grip very hard...couldn't if I wanted to with these old hands. What style of grip do you have on the gun. I don't think I 've ever shot the 45-70 with anything except a Pachmeyer. Do you have large hands/fingers? :? Walt

Bugtussle · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2006, 12:24:17 PM »

I think its the competitor grip. Wood on the front, rubber on the back. I got about medium hands. Maybe I'll try a pachmeyer.

Bullseye · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2006, 02:02:31 PM »

Puzzling. I shoot a 14" 45-70 without a brake. I have shot it 40-50 times in a sitting without a problem using the Competitor grip. However the last two weekends it has chewed the knuckle up on my middle finger on my trigger hand. The first weekend it was about 20 degrees and I attributed it to the gloves and cold (I normally do not wear gloves to shoot it) but it bit me this weekend also without gloves on a 70 degree day.

I am going to have to experiment with a looser grip and see it that is it.

Bugtussle · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2006, 10:52:46 AM »

Careful using a looser grip. I tried that with one of my first shots with my 45-70 & got whacked in the forehead with the muzzle :shock:

doncisler · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2006, 02:21:01 PM »

sounds like your 45-70 recoils a lot more than mine.
i use the same loads in contender, bfr, and marlin - probably a little stiff for the contender.
the only thing that i can see that would make the contender recoil into your middle finger is if you don't grip the gun fully in the palm of your hand and high enough. if you just wrap your thumb low around the lower part of the grip like is possible on a bench, resting on a bag the gun can really come up, i've seen that at the range and the shooter wonders why they get so much more apparent recoil.