How big is a 45-120 really??

[miyata]

I thought the cases were 3.25", but I just noticed that ammoguide.com has them listed as 3.125" as a 45-120 Nitro Express....

What are people using here?

phil

[quickdtoo]

45-120-3¼" Sharps Straight uses 3.25" brass, I suspect that's a typo on AG.

Tim

[Mike in Virginia]

Do not touch off a fully loaded 45-120.  Don't ever do that.  Some few have survived it, but it changed their lives forevermore.  Those few have fallen back to a .22 magnum as their biggest gun, because the 120 ruined their shoulders and their minds.
Actually, I enjoyed mine after I learned to fill the case with stuff other than powder. A little bit of powder and a lot of filling made it manageable and fun, and still deadly on deer. The best thing about a 120:  the big cartridges on your belt.  People look at you as if you're the most macho man who ever lived.  They can't help but believe you've killed grizzlies, moose and buffalo.  They don't have to know the brass is full of filler.

[quickdtoo]

A few of us don't mind fully loaded 45-120s, that's part of the shock and awe, there are ways of dealing with the recoil which are well covered in the FAQs, use enough powder or the right powder and fillers aren't necessary, I've never used fillers with 5744 using AA's data. 

Some here like Tyler are recoil junkies even! 


Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,193546.msg1098978986.html#msg1098978986

[Mike in Virginia]

Tim, I had mine before the advent of Trail Boss, and I didn't know of any other powders like that. I commend you for being able to handle a 45-120.  They are the ultimate, IMO.  Matthew Quigley's was a 110, I think, fired with a full load of blackpowder.  If he had been a real person instead of a tv character, he would have been a man to be respected.  As you are.

[JerryKo]

A full case of BP or BP sub pushed a 405gr lasercast into the 1800fps range.  Recoil is modest.  IMO the smoke is awesome. 

Jerry.