.410 in 45-70

[IronMan]

This may be a silly question. I looked in all the FAQ's and didint see anything about it. My dad had TrapDoor Springfield 45-70 and we used to shoot .410's in it occasionally.

Would it hurt to shoot .410 in the 45-70 Handi?

Rex

[NickSS]

I have done so and they work.  Due to the rifling they are not long range affairs but at 10 to 15 yards they work on grouse.  I quit using them when they started costing an arm and a leg.  Now I make up shot loads in 45-70 cases that work about like a 410 and cost me less.  I put in a powder charge (15 gr Red Dot) followed by one .060 fiber wad with two 45 cal wonder wads on top.  Add a half ounce of shot and a .030 fiber wad over the shot I then run hot melt glue around the wad and give the case a slight role crimp to ease feeding.  I carry a couple of them and a couple of round ball loads (10 gr of Red Dot and a 457 Ball lubed with Lee Liquid Alox).

[petemi]

I tried it the other day with a 2.5 in. .410 #8 plastic case.  It shot fine, but bulged the brass base and failed to extract.

Pete

[JerryKo]

As i was reading down the thread I was thinking from my past experience of 45lc/410 barrel and the 45-70 round that there is a huge amount of difference at the head of a 45-70 round and the brass would probably split or uldge excessively....
Pete's post confirmed my thinkings.  Maybe not all chambers are the same though but it is .50x on a 45-70 and .470 to .480 on 45lc.  I also believe the .410shell brass to be slightly smaller.
Wonder if you could ream a 45-70 case thru the rim and slide a 410 shell thru it as a chamber adapter?  Of course the pattern will still stink...but the choke of a 45/410 does eliminate the spiraling shot column....my thought ream a 45/410 to 45 -90 but still neck size to accept the .454 bullets.  Load shot into those 45-90 shells and you really do have a handi dandy combo!

Jerry

[peternap]

What's causing the bulging are the plastic cases. Plastic is more elastic than brass and the brass head bulges out and stays while the plastic goes back to it;s normal diminutions.

I use 444's because I use them for heavy 410 loads in my derringer and buckshot in my BFR. I also shoot plastic and brass 410 shells in the BFR. I'd use brass 410 cases (Which would fireform) in the 45/70 except the extractor rides over the rim. The 444's extract fine and fireform to size.

The choke does add a lot of versatility to the gun and this Handi, will do a lot of service on my tractor, ATV and truck. I take my BFR on them now but I'd rather use a $200.00 Handi as a beater, than a custom tuned $1000.00 BFR.

[IronMan]

Thanks for the replies.
I think I'll give it a try and see what happens.
Was thinking about carrying a few .410 when I go deer hunting in case I spot a bunnie or two after getting the buck.
Would probably be better than hitting one with the 45-70. Might not be enough left of the hopper for the pot afterwords.

Thanks
Rex

[kevinsmith5]

If that's what you're after use a collarbutton.