Author Topic: .45 /70 Bullets??? (Read 11987 times)

henry1 · « **on:** August 05, 2007, 04:40:33 PM »

Hey guys, I was just loading some .45/70s today and figured i should probly try to see what other bullits would shoot good out of my bc. So i guess what i would like to hear is your guys' recipies that shot good for you. if you are willing to share em that is. Im shooting 37.5 gr of IMR 3031 under a horn 300 gr hp. I would like to try something in the 405 gr but wont know till i go looking for it tom. I dont realy want to use a solid lead bullet but thats only because my knowlege of shooting lead is short. I would love to try a conical bullet and stray away from the old round nose and flat points. Anyways if you all could enlighten me a little bit it would appriciated! Thanks, Henry.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2007, 12:20:51 AM »

My all-time fav load for the 45-70 is near max load of RL7 or 4198 powder and a 400gr Speer bullet . It nets me just under 2000fps from the 22" barrel. Its a stiff kicker in a handi, but I shoot it more in my Marlins.

I am not super fond of the 300HP bullets.... They are just a bit short for my liking. (Short for caliber I mean.) 350's are a bit better but the 400'son up is where I like a 45-70 bullet. I have used the 405 Rem bullet for some lighter handi loads, I find it expands a bit better at the lower velocities. Try a load that nets you about 1600fps. Again, 4198 and RL7 are some of my fav higher velocity powders. Your 3031 is also good and a long time fav of many for heaver 45-70 loads.

Good luck,
CW

greg916 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2007, 01:56:17 AM »

i prefer the speer 400 gr. favorite powder is 3031, i use starting loads for lever action rifles.

the 350 grain bullets have not expanded well for me. and i also prefer bullets heavier than 300 gr in the 45-70,.

xhare · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2007, 08:08:18 AM »

My favorite was always the Hornady 350 grain roundnose and a stiff load of H-322. I has quite literally fired 3 shot groups with my Handi at 100 yards you could cover with a nickle. It flat kills dear. That said, the Speer 400 grain bullet is hard to beat. Nice and soft, it opens up even at lower velocities. It flattens deer as well.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2007, 08:22:37 AM »

I have yet to carry any of my 45-70s for hunting, but the 300gr Nosler PP and H4198 make a nice combination for a hot load, with one hole 100yd accuracy at around 2400fps. If you want a semi spitzer bullet, the 400gr Barnes SSSP is also a good one if you push it around 1700-1900fps or the 300gr SSSP at ~2000fps with Rl7 or H4895 under either of them.

If you want a light, but accurate load, the 350gr Hornady RN on top of 28gr of Alliant 2400 is a very accurate load also, I haven't chrono'd it yet, but it's used by several Handiholics here.

Tim

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2007, 10:43:50 AM »

Henry1

If you want to try cast bullets , load some 405 grain RNFP over 15 grains of Unique , this it the 38 spl. of 45/70 loads and a true joy to shoot . I shoot around 1000 or so of these a year just for plunking .

stimpy

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2007, 10:45:41 AM »

Your Buffalo Classic was destined to shoot 480 grain Schmittzers. I make my own but you can try them and see if you like them.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=915129&t=11082005
37 grains of IMR 3031 seems to get me the most accurate load at 600 yards. You can try up to 42 grains.

Oh yeah that Smith Barrel rear sight for the Buffalo Classic from Buffalo Arms is fantastic!
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4191.htm

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2007, 12:48:32 PM »

Quote from: EsoxLucius on August 06, 2007, 10:45:41 AM

Oh yeah that Smith Barrel rear sight for the Buffalo Classic from Buffalo Arms is fantastic!
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4191.htm

It's even more fantastic with a peep slider and if it costs less!!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums//index.php/topic,96466.msg1098240225.html

GrampaMike · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2007, 03:06:55 PM »

I have been shooting the Beartooth cast bullets. The following loads are listed in order of accuracy. IMR-4198 has been the best of the 20+ powders tested for all weights.

45-70 Buffalo Classic 32"
Case: Federal 2.095"
C.O.L.: 2.545
Primer: Federal 210
Bullet: Beartooth WLN GC 425 gr
Powder: 38.5 gr IMR-4198
Chrony: 1767 fps
Computed Energy: 2946
Computed Recoil: 34.4

45-70 Buffalo Classic 32"
Case: Federal 2.095"
C.O.L.: 2.545
Primer: Federal 210
Bullet: Beartooth FN GC 325 gr
Powder: 45.2 gr IMR-4198
Chrony: 2069 fps
Computed Energy: 3089
Computed Recoil: 31.0

45-70 Buffalo Classic 32"
Case: Federal 2.095"
C.O.L.: 2.545
Primer: Federal 210
Bullet: Beartooth LFN GC 405 gr
Powder: 38.9 gr IMR-4198
Chrony: 1802 fps
Computed Energy: 2920
Computed Recoil: 33.0

45-70 Buffalo Classic 32"
Case: Federal 2.095"
C.O.L.: 2.595
Primer: Federal 210
Bullet: Beartooth LFN GC 450 gr
Powder: 37.3 gr IMR-4198
Chrony: 1710 fps
Computed Energy: 2921
Computed Recoil: 35.4

45-70 Buffalo Classic 32"
Case: Federal 2.095"
C.O.L.: 2.545
Primer: Federal 210
Bullet: Beartooth WLN GC 525 gr
Powder: 31.5 gr IMR-4198
Chrony: 1494 fps
Computed Energy: 2602
Computed Recoil: 34.5

I have only shot targets with these loads, recoil is a little heavy from the bench, but boy are they accurate...

Mike

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2007, 06:23:40 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on August 06, 2007, 12:48:32 PM

Quote from: EsoxLucius on August 06, 2007, 10:45:41 AM
Oh yeah that Smith Barrel rear sight for the Buffalo Classic from Buffalo Arms is fantastic!
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4191.htm

It's even more fantastic with a peep slider and if it costs less!!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums//index.php/topic,96466.msg1098240225.html

It doesn't cost less if you have someone do all the monkeying around to mount it. One is permanently disfiguring their BC to go that route. There also have been some problems reported of inconsistency from mounting such sights in wood and not a metal tang, as well as on something that breaks away from the barrel instead of integral with it.

Actually, I got my sight before the Smith sight was available, I mounted a Springfield Trapdoor 1879 sight on the barrel. And yeah, I disfigured mine with two drilled and tapped holes.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2007, 06:34:54 AM »

The Smith long range sight is no longer offered from BA with the peep slider, it comes with a notch slider, Brownell's sells it for a little less.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,96466.msg1098240514.html#msg1098240514

BBF · « **Reply #11 on:** May 02, 2008, 12:23:19 AM »

Re the 350 gr Hdy RN's. I e-mailed Hornady about sufficient V's to expand and they replied it should have 1800 fps MV as a minimum.

RL-7 is my chosen powder for jacketed as well as cast bullets so far.
I do like to get some ideas what powder to us for the Lee 500 gr. Spitzer. I have Triple 7 and Trail Boss to play with as well.

JimP. · « **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2008, 02:35:54 AM »

if you are wanting to try cast bullets in your rifle but dont know which one your rifle will like, try the bullets from Montana Bullet Works, they have a list of the bullets from the most common bullet molds, example, i bought the 500 gr round nose SAECO bullet to use in my 1973 H & R 1873 Springfield trapdoor rifle, i use H 777 powder with it and the load is Starline cases, CCI Match primer, 47.7 grs of 777 with an over powder card and seat the bullet and crimp in the groove. This load gives me 1257 fps and shoots very well...check them out on the web and you wiill see that they have a large selection of bullets and they list the mold they come from, if they dont have the mold your looking for, call them and give them a shout, they just might get it and cast some up for you...i have gotten fine bullets from them...hope this helps you...JimP.

dodd3 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 02, 2008, 10:57:48 PM »

Quote from: EsoxLucius on August 06, 2007, 10:45:41 AM

Your Buffalo Classic was destined to shoot 480 grain Schmittzers. I make my own but you can try them and see if you like them.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=915129&t=11082005
37 grains of IMR 3031 seems to get me the most accurate load at 600 yards. You can try up to 42 grains.

Oh yeah that Smith Barrel rear sight for the Buffalo Classic from Buffalo Arms is fantastic!
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4191.htm

you a rite the buff classic shoots very well with a good cast bullet,i use the lee 5003r mould, and i have the smith sight with the peep hole slider and the lyman .404 globe front with lee shaver inserts
bernie

FLS · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2008, 01:32:28 PM »

Has anyone tried the suggested loads listed from BARNES for their Original 300gr sp? If the accuracy is there, it should offer a flat shooting combination.

Powder MIN. grs. fps MAX. grs. fps
VIT N120 51.5 2409 55.5 2562
AA 1680 54.0 2450 59.0 2588

BBF · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2008, 01:49:42 AM »

Living north of your border prevents me from ordering any number of items connected with firearms thanks to the efforts of the past Clinton Administration. Several of the cast bullet makers do not ship into Canada, so far I have not found any that can ship unprimed brass or jacketed bullets.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2008, 02:45:35 AM »

Myself, I have yet to find a 45/70 that won't shoot a factory 300gr HP fairly accurately. There definitely are bullets that will print tighter groups than factory but I haven't found any animal in the US that can stand up to a 300 yet! I now own 5 rifles in this caliber and they all shoot this load quite well. Only one is a tack driver but they all hit where they are suppose to and get the job done!

LONGTOM

BBF · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:13:03 AM »

I was surprised at the unburned powder or soot left in the barrel from the Rem. factory 405 grainers.
Anybody tried Trail Boos with cast" boolits"?

Buckwheat Jack · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2011, 04:18:38 PM »

I use a 450-grain bullet cast of wheel weights from a Lee mold, I put it over 24 grains of IMR 43198. I don;t know the velocity from my 45-70 Handi, but it is accurate enougha nd recoil is moderate enough with no recoil pad.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2011, 10:28:38 AM »

Trail Boss, 19 gr. (a full behind the bullet charge), Lee cast 405, or 20 gr. with the Lee 340 gr. worked for me, YMMV. I started with the S.F. Trapdoor loads and worked up, these are NOT their data and are from use in my H&R SS UH, 24" barrel. My impressions are purely subjective.
These two loads feel to me to be less than a full Fg black powder load, but the pressure rise puts this powder beyond BP loads, so it probably isn't recommended to exceed their Trapdoor level load in a Trapdoor.
FWIW, I've noted that some accuracy tests with the 45-70 with lead bullets have the best loads around the 1000fps range, a place that Trail Boss can easily achieve and have great load density with no powder position issues.
I'm trying out TB more all the time in several calibers and really liking it.

aussie rich · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2011, 01:54:19 AM »

Hi guys

I have done some work with the Lee 405 hollow base slug and trail boss, not high velocity, but accurate and very comfortable to shoot 50 or so a day.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,219527.msg1099195834.html#msg1099195834

have fun

regards

Rich

petemi · « **Reply #21 on:** April 27, 2011, 04:55:27 AM »

I've got a good load for the 405 Rem over IMR 4198 running about 1950 fps.

Quote from: scatterbrain on May 06, 2008, 01:49:42 AM

Living north of your border prevents me from ordering any number of items connected with firearms thanks to the efforts of the past Clinton Administration. Several of the cast bullet makers do not ship into Canada, so far I have not found any that can ship unprimed brass or jacketed bullets.

I think you guys, the Aussies and Brits included, need to get your rights back. We and You've got representatives, get on them. Make a stand and get some of your Yankee Dumbassed laws and regulations repealed. We have a hard enough time in the USA keeping up with the anti gun crowd, so I understand how hard it can be. Friends of mine and I cancelled a caribou trip years ago because, I can't remember which, C-68 or C-67 was passed. And yes, thank God the Clintons are gone. I believe the next administration will be Republican and things should get better.

Pete

rsl · « **Reply #22 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:53:02 AM »

I shoot a 300 gr lead bullet with 35 gr of 3031. Pleasant and accurate...

dangerranger · « **Reply #23 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:29:31 PM »

Ive been using mine in ASSRA 200yd matches. so far I havent found any good use for Trailboss powder, soft lead bullits work but the harder alloys are grouping best for me, and so far a 405gr bullit, with a hard alloy sized to .457, over 31gr of 4198 have given me a best group of 4". [too bad it was off center and out of the scoring rings}. DR

PAPI · « **Reply #24 on:** May 26, 2011, 03:37:16 PM »

Okay..

How about tryingout some " NEW STYLE BULLETS " for your old " 45/70 "..

I've had some thoughts of getting myself a " DG RIFLE " for hunting all of " N & S America " i.e. : 450/400.

However ..., there's been some very, very useful testing going on with new " HOLLOW POINT & SOLID ; NON LEAD BULLETS "
(I.E.: *CALIFORNIA LEAD FREE*) .., which puts new life into my old " H&R 45/70 Rifle ".

CUTTING EDGE BULLETS
http://www.cuttingedgebullets.com/

PAPI

PAPI · « **Reply #25 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:25:13 PM »

Here are a few photos of the " Bullets " that are currently undergoing testing for future production.

The above " Bullets " are being tested & modified to work within safe " 45/70 ; Loads/ Velocity/Pressures ", using the " Marlin 45/70 " as a test Rifle, which should be fine in our " H&R 45/70 " as well.

PAPI

GH1 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 27, 2011, 01:41:16 PM »

I've loaded quite a few for my buddy's 1886 Winchester. I use a 350 gr Dardas cast RNFP on top of 14 gr of Trail Boss. The load is accurate and very pleasant to shoot in the Winchester, I have no reason to believe it won't work in a Handi.
GH1

ratdog · « **Reply #27 on:** May 30, 2011, 04:53:49 AM »

i really don't like to shoot any bullets i don't cast myself except the 22 cal. bullets are way over priced lead is fairly cheap it more fun that way.

PAPI · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2011, 03:34:50 PM »

Just an " UPDATE " : R&D New Plastic Tips Inserts to improve " B.C. "

PAPI

Swampman · « **Reply #29 on:** July 29, 2011, 04:20:49 PM »

I prefer the Remington 405 and the Georgia Arms 405 cast. I prefer IMR-4198. You don't need anything over 1300 fps in North America.