Author Topic: Strength of 45-70 handi?  (Read 742 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline txpitdog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 66
Strength of 45-70 handi?
« on: April 14, 2012, 03:16:26 AM »
Can these handle more than the trapdoor loads or should I keep it to that level?   

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Offline revbc

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (94)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1156
  • Gender: Male
    • NewLife Worship Center
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2012, 04:34:49 AM »
They can handle way more than most shoulders can ;)   Up to and including Ruger loads.
Pastor, NewLife Worship Center
(Retired) Automotive Technology Instructor, West Feliciana High School
Avid Shooter, Hunter, Fisherman and owner of Handi Rifles

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43301
  • Gender: Male
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2012, 04:58:48 AM »
Depends on the model, vintage Shikaris(pre '87) are on cast iron frames and should be limited to trapdoor loads, but modern SB2 framed 45-70s are fine with stout loads, the Handi is factory available in 500S&W which has a larger case head than the 45-70 and a SAAMI maximum average pressure of 60kpsi which produces considerably more breech thrust than any 45-70 load. The BIG question is can the shooter handle the recoil of the heavier loads?  Most prefer trapdoor to low levergun levels for that reason.  ;)

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline petemi

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (73)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7386
  • Gender: Male
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2012, 05:23:58 AM »
There's also a lunatic fringe element wandering around here that's not satisfied getting mauled by max .45-70 loads.  I won't mention names, but they ream them out to .45-120s in their quest for pain so they can really suffer. :o :o :'( :'( 8) 8) 8) :D ;D ;D   Yeah, the SB2 Handi will take more than you can.

Pete
Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline lrrice

  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 194
  • Gender: Male
    • Rice Custom Knives
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2012, 06:37:29 AM »
Ive had the black and blue shoulder to prove it and I was nowhere near the guns limit... but I was over my limit.

Offline Sourdough

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8150
  • Gender: Male
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2012, 06:59:07 AM »
My son loads a 500gr bullet for his 45-70 loads, that will knock your socks loose.  My .338 win mag pales in comparison. 
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline tacklebury

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (12)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3633
  • Gender: Male
  • Central Michigan
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2012, 07:05:49 AM »
I've shot only one powder through my .45-70 except black powder and that's Reloader7.  I load it from 34 gr. for trap door level plinkers for the wife to shoot up to 52 gr. barn burners which will take you off your feet almost, with modest pressure.  The latter level is Ruger #1 and I've found it really isn't necessary for me.  My go to load is 48 gr. Reloader7 and Hornady's 350 gr. FP.  It'll shoot through any animal in North America easily and is accurate out to 250 yard ranges with about 2' hold over.  ;)  It will still push you around a bit at the bench, but very comfortable for me to shoot freestanding as I do hunting.
 
Tacklebury --}>>>>>    Multi-Barrel: .223 Superlite, 7mm-08 22", .30-40 Krag M158, .357 Maximum 16-1/4 HB, .45 Colt, .45-70 22" irons, 32" .45-70 Peeps, 12 Ga. 3-1/2 w/ Chokes, .410 Smooth slugger, .45 Cal Muzzy, .50 Cal Muzzy, .58 Cal Muzzy

also classics: M903 9-shot Target .22 Revolver, 1926 .410 Single, 1915 38 S&W Break top Revolver and 7-shot H&R Trapper .22 6" bbl.


Offline cpileri

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 352
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2012, 07:35:58 AM »
How does the modern SB2 45-70 compare with the Siamese Mauser conversions?
I would be concerned not so much with the receiver face and breech thrust as with the barrel latch and lockup strength; as compared to the locking lugs of the bolt action.
 
C-
____________
"We are compelled to concede to the Papists
that they have the Word of God,
that we received it from them,
and that without them
we should have no knowledge of it at all."
~ Martin Luther

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43301
  • Gender: Male
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2012, 07:54:28 AM »
Longevity is another matter entirely, the underlug is the weak point on the Handi, the 500S&W is known to set back the underlug when using full pressure loads extensively and the reason why I reinforced mine(see underlug improvement in the FAQs. That and flex in the action itself, although I've never had a problem with straight wall chamberings, it shows itself in high pressure bottlenecked rounds as a hard to push barrel release button and a gap between frame and barrel face after the shot(before opening the action) and brass that won't fully rechamber without full lenth resizing first, neither of which I've experienced with 60kpsi loads in the 405 Win and 444 Marlin or 50kpsi loads in 45-70 or 500S&W.

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline gcrank1

  • Trade Count: (24)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7644
  • Gender: Male
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2012, 06:45:11 AM »
We are somewhat assuming that you know there are 3 levels of 45-70 loads, too.
1) Trapdoor safe
2) Marlin Leverguns
3) Ruger
Try a top 'trapdoor' load first, and compare it to trapdoor safe factory, if you have it. Then, if so inclined try a lower end level 2 load. You will know pretty quick what you want to shoot.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline 45-70.gov

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7009
  • Gender: Male
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2012, 07:14:20 AM »
top end trap door loads is all the fun i want
when drugs are outlawed only out laws will have drugs
DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO STOP A DEMOCRAT
OBAMACARE....the biggest tax hike in the  history of mankind
free choice and equality  can't co-exist
AFTER THE LIBYAN COVER-UP... remind any  democrat voters ''they sat and  watched them die''...they  told help to ''stand down''

many statements made here are fiction and are for entertainment purposes only and are in no way to be construed as a description of actual events.
no one is encouraged to do anything dangerous or break any laws.

Offline txpitdog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 66
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2012, 11:16:57 AM »
I appreciate all the responses and info.  Yes, I am aware of the 3 categories as I load for my Marlin Guide Gun.  Was also headed down the path of acquiring a Ruger #1 45-70 but skipped ahead and ended up with a 458 Lott!

I was going to shoot my Handi on Saturday when I asked the question, but the goof asses at the range wouldn't let me set up my chrony. I will try again at a more accommodating range this weekend. 

Thanks again, and I will post a complete report on my project soon!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Offline gcrank1

  • Trade Count: (24)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7644
  • Gender: Male
Re: Strength of 45-70 handi?
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2012, 11:32:07 AM »
Sounds like you are used to big kickers............probably ones that would make me whine (or worse)  ;) , and know a'plenty. We are anxious to hear your report.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974