Author Topic: .45-70 loads (Read 1199 times)

scout34 · « **on:** January 22, 2008, 05:28:24 AM »

I was considering a .500 S&W barrel for my TC Encore, but then decided that the .460 has a better trajectory for longer range. Then it occurred to me that the .45-70 can do all the things that the .460 can, and has a better selection of bullets to boot.

Anybody shoot the .45-70 in their TC? How hot do you load? Any suggestions?

reloading_rich · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2008, 09:49:44 AM »

I shoot one in my Contender. It is a factory Super 14 with a muzzle tamer. I load with a Remington 300 grain SJHP and it chronographes at about 1950 fps. It is a hot load and with practice the recoil is managable. I have taken many critters from a whitetail to Buffalo with it, all with very satisfactory results.
Rich

Lone Star · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2008, 01:03:18 PM »

I believe that T/C recommended M1895-level loads for the Encore. The problem with that recommendation is - what pressure should you use? The following are "Marlin-level" loads:

Speer - 28,000 CUP
Hornady - 40,000 CUP

.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2008, 01:50:13 PM »

I have a SSK 14" unported barrel for my Contender. I mostly shoot Trapdoor level loads, because that's all that is necessary for these MS whitetails.

Cossack2 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2008, 05:44:13 AM »

Mine is 14" muzzle braked Contender. Using 300 grn Sierra bullets and Rl 7 to get approx 1700 fps. Bullet choice should not exceed 300 grsn in Contender to avoid frame stretching, excessive recoil.. Nothing much over 1600 CUP is shown in TC manual. I believe Encore would handle much stiffer loads. The problem becomes how much recoil YOU can handle. Muzzle brake mitigates recoil somewhat but doesn't make any friends among those sitting next to you on the range.

MePlat · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2008, 05:54:37 AM »

I have an SSK Contender barrel that I have shot 500 gr Hornadys at 1400 through with porting and I have an Encore 15 incher tapered factory barrel with no brake and no Porting that when pushing 550 gr bullet at slightly over 1500 is a handful. I have calibers alot more powerful but are not near as bad to shoot.
One must remember that the Encore can take the 458 Win Mag cartridge and the 300 Win Mag that operates in the 63-64,000psi range.

Lone Star · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2008, 01:27:45 PM »

Just a side note - the Contender in .45-70 can take any bullet weight without frame stretching - it is the pressure which stretches frames, not the bullet. It is true that the heavy bullets have extreme recoil, and I prefer to shoot 300s in my Contender too. But members of my silhouette club shot a lot of 400s in their .45-70s (in Alaska where lots of hunters carried the big bores) and none damaged their frames. They could have - if they'd used excessive pressure loads.

I think that the OP will find that recoil is the limiting factor in loading for his Encore.

.

kennisondan · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2008, 02:15:20 PM »

does the 45 70 match the 460 ?
wow
dk

MePlat · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2008, 03:22:52 PM »

If a 45/70 will push a 550 slightly over 1500 fps. How fast would one have to push the lighter bullets of the 460 just to match the momentum of the 45/70?
I'd say it was more powerful and would more than likely run a lot less chamber pressure too.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:35:25 AM »

Lone Star,
In my opinion, and the opinion of those I respect 28,000 would be the absolute Maximum pressure for safety and durability in a Contender for a .45-70 case size. Breechface thrust is the controlling issue in Contenders, of course.

JoeRobbins · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2008, 03:43:23 PM »

Does anyone use a "regular" factory load in their contenders. I just got a S16 with factory MT and wondered if the 350s Remington had would work ok to get me started with the brass collection.

I have a box of the new Hornady Levelution loads, but that was when I wanted to get the Encore setup.

Thanks,

Joe

MS Hitman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2008, 04:59:50 PM »

The Winchester 300 grain JHP loads in the silver box shoot well in my Contender. These are all that is necessary for Whitetails.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2008, 01:39:54 AM »

I have used a Remington .45-70 405 gr. standard factory load on an 1800 lb. Himalayan Yak about 16 years ago. It clocked 1110 fps from my 12" Contender Hunter barrel. The Yak dropped where he stood when the bullet penetrated one lung, the heart, and broke the off-side leg before exiting. Obviously, it will kill a deer, but I have not used it on any.
I have also used the Winchester 300 gr, hollow point (X4570) from a very short (6.5") barrel Contender, which also runs a bit over 1100 fps from that barrel and is an excellent load.

JoeRobbins · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2008, 04:27:54 PM »

Thanks for the info guys.

I saw the Remington 405gr loads along side the Hornady Leverevelotion loads today at Sportsman's Warehouse. I didn't get any, just a pound of 3031, fifty Winchester cases, and 250 300gr cast bullets. I was looking for some gas checked bullets, but the only ones they had were well over 400 grains. I wanted to stick with the "little" 300s first.

I still need to get a third ring for the scope. Don't want to take any chances there either.

Joe

giturgun · « **Reply #14 on:** February 07, 2008, 12:13:28 PM »

Guess I was one of the first to snatch up a super 14 factory Contender barrel. No ports , extra holes or any of that sissy stuff. I do however use a Pachmeyer grip on it. I have shot 300 to 500 gn. bullets in mine . Have always thought the 350 kicked hardest. 500 are fun to shoot and kick the least. if loaded by the book.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #15 on:** February 07, 2008, 12:29:31 PM »

It's hard to believe a round that was invented 100 years ago is still found to be not only fun to shoot, but in many circumstances the right cartridge to use over others. I know this is a Contender discussion for the 45-70, but this past deer season I took a big doe with my Marlin 1895XLR with a Cast Performance 405 grain gas check over 55 grains of Varget. This load averages 1,821 fps. The doe was only 40 yards away and quartering towards me. One shot and there was no such thing as "follow that blood trail".

What a great cartridge.

Dave

rural17 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2008, 01:12:46 PM »

I don't reload....Yet....But I shot 2 8 pointers this year one at 94yds. and 2nd one at 80 yds. using factory federal ammo. They got hit harder than my 20 gauge can hit em. My farthest shot with the 45/70 tender was a few years ago at 143 yds. doesn't sound that far but in southern lower Michigan [IE shotgun zone] thats not too bad.

Good Shootin Jeff

giturgun · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2008, 02:35:15 PM »

One must " MUST MUST MUST HAVE TO NO OPTION AT ALL

reload to fully enjoy the 45-70. It is lots of fun to load Pyrodex for the smoke effect. Slowest powder late in the evening throws a terrific far ball . These things just cannot be enjoyed with factory ammo. It is one of the finer things in life son , it is akin to sportin around town in a Lamborginniee compared to a volks bus waggon

scout34 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2008, 03:15:25 PM »

I've got a bunch of big boomers lined up. I've just gotten my first Encore frame and want to get a big bore barrel for it, my X frame should be in any day, and I've got an 1895 GS on layaway. I like to make big holes in both sides. I also like to cast bullets, and it seems to me that I don't need all the blazing speed of the 460. I much prefer the low pressure thud of the 45-70, I've just never shot it in a pistol.

Come to think of it, I want a 209x50 pistol barrel too.

Hawkeye · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2008, 05:18:33 AM »

I have a TC Contender w/SSK 14" barrel and it is a hoot!

I also have a 15" Encore SSK 45-70 w/the SSK porting for pistols. In longuns there is not much more fun than my Sharps, 34" oct. Barrel with 405grn cast, 50grns of 2F Swiss Black Powder.
On my Contender I shoot the 300grn JHP Sierra with IMR4198 at 1405fps and this is a puff cake load. Some recoil but lots of knock down power. I have taken whitetail with this load out to 100yds and its bang/flop. You can also shoot it a lot at the range without wearing on your wrist.
On the Encore I shoot the same load and the 405grn Cast I use in my Sharps. It has a little more recoil but is fun. I like to shoot at the steel gongs. Line it up, squeeze the trigger, bang and then a little latter, another bang when it hits the gong.
Lots of people at the range have come over to see what I'm shooting and I let them shoot it. They get a kick out of it.
Lots of fun.

Mike

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2008, 03:35:19 AM »

One of the quickest ways to get the other shooters at the range to wander over to see what you're shooting is to fire off some real black powder cartridges in a short barrel Contender. I have the 14" with muzzle tamer, and the fireball is impressive...