45-120

[Illhunter]

anyone ever tried making one of these using a handi that is.  how much did it cost you to make i do beleive with the right load should knock anything that walks down within proper range. I think it might be a fun caliber to 

[quickdtoo]

Yup, I had mine done by a smith 3yrs ago, but they can be done by hand too. Tykempster has loaded his to 45-120 Nitro Express levels that exceed the 450 NE by a good margin, but he's a recoil junky, I'm sure he'll reply for ya!!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,76273.msg470253.html#msg470253

[Illhunter]

i am thinking a 45-70 would drop most any animal on 4 legs if not all even dangerous game but a 45-120 would be even more effective but and could load for less recoil with it and could load max loads as well would be fun rifle.thanks quik.

[quickdtoo]

The big advantge to the 45-120 with smokeless powder is shooting big bullets at less pressure, a 500gr bullet at 1800fps generates 31kpsi, the same velocity in a 45-70 would require 40kpsi. The other advantage is with blackpowder, there's lots of room in the big case for powder compared to the 45-70, but recoil is going to be substantial at higher velocities, more than most care for. Then there's the shock and awe, fun factor of the 45-120, you'll find that out the first time someone at the range sees you poke one of those 4" rounds into the chamber!!

Tim

[Illhunter]

how does your 45-120 shoot, accuracy and recoil, do you have some kind of recoil pad or system on yours and as fars as reloading for this gun do you use you standard equipment or have a specific press for it. how expensive is it to get components for this gun as well i thought i read $2 a peice for brass from the other post or more. I don't reload yet how much is the powder both the BP and the smokeless and do you cast all your own bullets or do you buy some as well. 

My first thing is to get to work then the next when i get ready to buy is to find a 45-70 BC to use for this project. then will actually need two BC bbls though one to leave 45-70 and one to be 45-120 or maybe hust two seperate complete guns would be better 

[quickdtoo]

H&R 45-70s are one of the most accurate chamberings they offer, I have 5 of them, 2 BCs(Bufflalo Classic), 2 Handis and one SS Ultra, I had one of the BCs rechambered to 45-120, I shoot it from the bench using lead or a mercury recoil reducer in the stock, you can learn more about that in the FAQs and Help sticky. I have a small Galco leather slip-on pad on the stock, it does a nice job of making the steel butt plate user friendly. 100yds groups with the 405gr Remington and 535gr Piledrivers are 1", the 200yd group below is with the 525gr Piledriver @ ~1800fps and the Williams FP-TK sight, that's 4 shots, the upper shot was a sighter since I didn't know where it would hit, the bottom three are for score after a sight adjustment.  The other target was shot with the 45-70 BC which is scoped with a 10x40 Bushnell Elite.

45-120 factory ammo is not common and very expensive if you find it, I would suggest you reconsider the rechamber, or start handloading. Cabelas carries it at about $140 for 20 rounds, Conley has some for $93 a box of 20. Brass is $1.50-$2 each if you choose to handload for it.

Tim

http://cpcartridge.com/cart2/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3

45-120 ammo





 

[Illhunter]

My plan is to start handloading but not sure which one i am going to get yet will probably try and get a decent starter kit then move up from there. also want to look into casting bullets as well especially if i get one of these. I was just thinking about how much the powder and brass runs would probably be a later project have a few other wants and just till i got used to them would probably stick to the 45-70 for starters the 45-120 is future gun along with the other things i want. but i bet the shock factor of pulling out a 45-120 bullets is very high. Will  start life probably my first handi will be a BC 45-70 and the next handi will be the 45-120by then will save some miney and be setup to cast and handload when i do the 45-120. Factory ammo is very expensive for the 45-120.

[quickdtoo]

Smokeless powder sells for about $20 a lb, blackpowder a few $$ less, but you use two to three times as much per load in the 45-120. 

Tim

[Illhunter]

so probably a little cheaper per shot to use smokeless then. I am sure i can think of more but at present time none. i have always told myself i didn't need a 45-70 because i couldn't use it to hunt but think i am feeling the need for it now. mow just need to find a deal on one. 

[tykempster]

how does your 45-120 shoot, accuracy and recoil, do you have some kind of recoil pad or system on yours and as fars as reloading for this gun do you use you standard equipment or have a specific press for it. how expensive is it to get components for this gun as well i thought i read $2 a peice for brass from the other post or more. I don't reload yet how much is the powder both the BP and the smokeless and do you cast all your own bullets or do you buy some as well.

My first thing is to get to work then the next when i get ready to buy is to find a 45-70 BC to use for this project. then will actually need two BC bbls though one to leave 45-70 and one to be 45-120 or maybe hust two seperate complete guns would be better

1) How does my 45-120 shoot, and what is recoil like?
A-At first I had some issues with the recoil taking the sight out of the dovetail, but I tightened the screws down real good and now it shoots where I aim.  With my level loads shooting for accuracy is really not possible.  Off the bench it plain hurts, I have done it to check sights, but you will never catch me shooting it for groups.  The recoil from anything other than offhand is unbearable.  However my loads are pushing 6000 ft lbs where blackpowder loads may be around half to two-thirds of that.  Once your velocity starts going up with the big bullets, you can really feel it.  I'm shooting 405 grain bullet mostly, around 2550 fps, and 500 grain bullets around 2200 fps.  720 grain bullets are no fun and don't do anything the other bullets can't. 

2) Do I have a recoil pad or recoil system?
A- I have the thickest Kick-Eez pad available plus a 1 lb mercury recoil reducer in the stock.  The gun with 405 grain bullets does not hurt because of the pad, but it pushes VERY hard.  With 500+ grain bullets the gun starts to hurt to shoot, more than a couple of rounds will have you flinching like a little girl.  The mercury recoil reducer works, shot the gun without and for a couple shots and with it plenty of shots, and it feels like it is reducing the kick more than 1 lb of dead weight would.  BTW, I'm shooting the gun at just under 9 lbs.

3) Do I reload on a standard or custom press?
A- I reload on a Lee Classic Turret, the case takes up almost all the space and I have to start the bullet in the die to seat it.  However, the press handles big cases fine, but I just bought a RCBS Big Max press which should help make things quicker and easier without having to come up with clever ways to reload big ammo on a press that is probably too small.

4) What are component prices?
A- Remington bulk bullets are cheap and accurate for me.  However, at 45-120 velocities they are a deer bullet at best.  Other bullets can run from .35 cents to a couple bucks a bullet depending on what you do.  Because of the velocities I am shooting at, I usually shoot on jacketed bullets.  Cases are very expensive as far as cases go, $1.90-$2.20 each.  I use Norma and they are lasting fine with 40k pressure loads.  This case uses lots of powder, so if you shoot a lot (which you won't with this caliber) then prepare to be buying lots of powder.

5) Do I reload and cast?
A- Yes and no.  You HAVE to reload to load this cartridge to it's potential in a strong action, and you ALMOST HAVE to reload to afford to shoot it.  Casting however is not worth my time, I have plenty of homework and stuff to do.

To close it out, here is some videos of me shooting it, and some pictures-

45-120 with 720 grain bullet next to a 45-70


720 grain bullet after 20" into a hardwood log


Shooting the 720's


The recoil moving me before my face moved...gross


Mid level recoil on left, hot loads on right


Shooting those hot loads (405 grain at 2550 fps)


And if I do my part, this happens


Enjoy!  I love talking about this gun!

[Illhunter]

thanks for the info tyke. i am considering this gun for a future prohect have to get to work first. i just finished college and have to get my sertification and license now. but i want to get started with loading and possibly casting as well before i do this prohect so might be awhile.

[AtlLaw]

500 grain bullets around 2200 fps.

<swoon>