Contender 45/70 levels and ballistics?

[triehl27]

I have found what I believe to be a good deal on "Cowboy" Level 45/70 rounds. 405gr LRN  Muzzle: 1080fps and 1200fpe.   $11 per 20rnds or $100 per 200rnds
A: Are these safe for contender frames? ( I think they would be)
B: Would these work for hunting western US deer?
C: can someone calculate ballistics for me from a 10", a 14" and a 23" barrel.  Or pass me onto a balistic calculator.

Thanks a ton

[chazgin]

I have an SSK 14" 45/70. JD's load data for a 405 starts at 1400 fps and goes to 1600 fps, so if loaded correctly your loads should be fine.

Any 45/70 is more than enough for deer, here in Colorado it depends on where you're hunting. Ranges can vary from 0 to 400+ yds. So you have to pick your terrain. I've shot elk in black timber at 50 yds with the 45/70 Contender. This year my cow hunt was in NW CO ( open sage country} and the closest I could get was 300 yds. It was time to switch guns and go back to my 338 rifle. Shot was 340 yds on the laser rangefinder.

[Will Bison]

I have a 14" Contender in .45-70 and MV will be affected by the type of powder loaded. I tend to use Unique in the pistol.  The faster powder will burn better in the shorter bbl.

My favorite load is the standard US Army load of .45-55-405 with black powder. This was the standard carbine cartridge load.

Bill

[Lone Star]

Will, how does that BP burn in the short barrel?  The one time I tired it I had a real mess in the bore.

I often use faster burning powders in my .45-70s, and the lower velocities they deliver make shooting the barrels more fun for longer.  But these are not low pressure loads!  A 1000 fps Unique load has the same pressure as a 1400 fps load using a more appropriate rifle powder (Lyman data).

Actually I find BlueDot better than Unique in the .45-70 - it burns a little cleaner and is slower, giving a bit more safety margin for measured charges. 

.

[scrounger]

I have found what I believe to be a good deal on "Cowboy" Level 45/70 rounds. 405gr LRN  Muzzle: 1080fps and 1200fpe.   $11 per 20rnds or $100 per 200rnds
A: Are these safe for contender frames? ( I think they would be)
B: Would these work for hunting western US deer?
C: can someone calculate ballistics for me from a 10", a 14" and a 23" barrel.  Or pass me onto a balistic calculator.

Thanks a ton

Try this one:   http://www.handloads.com/calc/