Working up load for BC 45 70

[jhollifield]

What a great site.  I found this site several weeks ago and it has saved me alot of time with my recently purchased Buffalo Classic in 45 70.  I have been working with IMR 4198 and 405 grain remington jacketed bullets so far.  I initially loaded some at 38 grains (IMR website / 1620 fps).  Accuracy at 100 yards was good.  I was consistently getting 1.5 - 2.5 " groups.  Recoil was a bit much.  My uncle sent me some load data and I loaded some up from 32 to 33.5 grains.  Best accuracy seemed to be at 33 grains.  I glass bedded the fore arm Friday night from the spacer to the lug and loaded some up today at 33 grains.  One 3 shot group was just under 1".  Time to start experimenting with bullet seating depth.  I ordered some oregon trail 405 grain bullets Friday night.  One thing has me a bit confused.  I was taught to "call" my shots at a young age, and am getting some uncalled strays.  Not bad, but enough to open up my groups.  I haven't put enough bullets down the barrel to worry too much about it yet.  What a neat gun.             

[kevinsmith5]

Take the plate off the buttstock and fill the bolt hole with #4 lead shot (put it in a nylon stocking to make removal easier if you ever have to remove the stock).  Easiest and cheapest way to get the shot is to buy a box of 12 gauge #4 and cut the tops. Recoil will be much less noticeable.

[pittbull46]

Hello I just got mind a few mounths ago Have been shooting 70gr. BP and lyman 535 bullets hope to tyr 1000yds. this week great fun

[kevinsmith5]

You may wanna take a look in the FAQ's on "Barrel Break-in".

[bigoledude]

I was told that anything over 350 grains would be hard to chamber in my Buffalo Classic because the throats were short.  Did you have to modify the throat on your BC?

[pittbull46]

I had no problem with the .535

[jhollifield]

One of the first things I did was add the shot from 19 12 guage shells to the hole in the stock.  I pretty much always follow the same barrel break in process, as well as a good swabbing with JB.  I have a "home made" depth seating guage I use to figure out where the bullets are hitting the lands and I am able to get the 405 gr Remingtons to load with no problem.  I want to have the trigger worked on eventually.  I found the FAQ's and they were very helpful.  I've been shooting for the better part of 39 years, and have been reloading for around 30.  This is my first 45 70, and am pretty sure it won't be my last. 

[Badnews Bob]

I was told that anything over 350 grains would be hard to chamber in my Buffalo Classic because the throats were short.  Did you have to modify the throat on your BC?

Not true I shoot 405s or larger in all my .45-70s.

[Chas.]

With an RNFP cast bullet, mine will chamber to 2.665" OAL.  500 gr. are no problem at all.

[model7lss]

I loaded some of Lymans #457125s which are supposed to be around 525grs to just past the lead ring in front of the first lube groove and these stuck in the lands about 1/4 inch. Seated them deeper and were fine. I would take a measurement on the chamber but I just mailed it back to them yesterday to fix a off center firing pin