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Author Topic: Noob with a new .45-70  (Read 808 times)

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Offline cult .44

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Noob with a new .45-70
« on: December 31, 2009, 04:51:19 PM »
Just picked up my first Handi-Rifle in .45-70. I've been reloading the .44 magnum for my Marlin and SBH for some time now and I thought it would be fun to branch out to a different caliber. Like the .44 mag, the .45-70 looks to have considerable versatility. I initially wanted a wood stock version but the synthetic stock sort of grew on me (it kind of has a no-frills, rugged Road Warrior aura about it). I deer hunt so I rationalized the purchase as an all-weather backup to my levergun.

I can't wait to shoot it. I'm going to the range Saturday. I got a box of Ultramax 405gr cowboy cartridges which, I gather, should be pretty mild mannered in the recoil department. I also have a box of Hornady LeverEvolution stuff which should give me an idea of what stronger loads feel like.

I read the good information in the Handi 101 thread. My plan is to shoot it a bit and then see what modifications I might want to make like switching to a ghost ring sight, adding weight and/or recoil pad to the stock. Who knows? I might even paint it. Zebra stripe perhaps.

Anyway, I thought I'd poke my head in and say hi while otherwise just paying attention to what the veterans around here have to say.
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"Our knowledge increases each year. Yet what we know is as trivial as a whisper in a vast desert."
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Offline mechanic

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2009, 04:58:46 PM »
Enjoy your new Handi and welcome to the obsession.  You started with a great caliber, but you need a few more.  If you reload, you can load rounds for a 12 year old to shoot without bruises, or you can load up "dangerous game" level loads.  I save those to "surprise" people with at the range. 

Congrats on the beginning of Handiholisim. ;D
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Offline MS Mule

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2009, 06:39:36 PM »
You'll find it a joy to handload for.
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Offline S.E.Ak

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2009, 07:21:56 PM »
Very good caliber,from mild to wild and rabbit to rhino
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Offline Datil

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2010, 12:54:54 AM »

 Welcpme over here. 45-70 is MUST have of a handi-holic!!!! Enjoy.

  Datil
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2010, 02:23:43 AM »
The 45/70 is a great handi caliber!!  It shoots all loads well, but can get offensive mostly because of its weight, with the heavy loads. My personal limit because of this is about 1600FPS with a 400Gr bullet.  Lead bullets with Trail Boss are quite fun!!

One thing if your planning on loading it... Hornady Lever evolution brass is shorter than SAAMI specs. If you load heavier loads and like to crimp, forget it with this brass. Unless your going to reload using Hornady FTX bullets, of coarse.

I like IMR 4198 powder and 400gr bullets for the heaviest loads. IMR 3031 and Hornady 300's for the mid level loads and Trail Boss and lead 3-400 gram slugs for the "fun trap door" loads.

CW
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2010, 03:15:53 AM »
This is one I'm gonna be working on this year as well, have only shot factory loads in mine so far.  This is one I'll be trying Ramshot powder in, Xterminator is the one they have listed in their loading manual.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline cult .44

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2010, 10:29:35 AM »
Quote
Hornady Lever evolution brass is shorter than SAAMI specs.

That's a good heads up. Thanks. I find that the Leverevolution cases are a smidge shorter than normal with .44 mag as well.

Quote
but you need a few more.

Oh, I hope not. The budget police in my head are already on me for this latest purchase. "But ... but ... I was thinking about getting a Ruger No. 1, so I *saved* money by getting a Handi!"

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"Our knowledge increases each year. Yet what we know is as trivial as a whisper in a vast desert."
     - Robert A. Pinker, "Understanding Firearm Ballistics"

Offline Spanky

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2010, 11:12:37 AM »
Stick to trapdoor loads.
Hot loads in the 45-70 will beat the hell out of you.
If you can't kill something with trapdoor loads it don't need killin' ;)



Spanky
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Offline cult .44

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Re: Noob with a new .45-70
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2010, 03:12:45 PM »
Had a good time shooting my new Handi on Saturday. The range was crowded so I didn't bother them to set up a bench and shot everything off hand. The cowboy loads were mild as expected and were shooting pretty much to point of aim without adjusting the sight. The LeverEvolution were of course much hotter and were zipping in well below point of aim at 25 yards. I had to nearly max out the sight to get them close to zero at that range. After 14 rounds my shoulder was feeling it, so I quit. Next time, I'll go to a range with longer lanes and get a bench set up.

Today I added about 16 oz to the stock (a short length of half-inch pipe filled with rejected bullets and foam). We'll see what that does for the recoil. I kind of like the way the rifle handles with the extra weight.

Next week I'll stop by my favorite reloading store and see if I can find some powder and bullets. It looks like IMR 4198 should be a good all around powder to start with, and maybe 300 -350 grain bullets.

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"Our knowledge increases each year. Yet what we know is as trivial as a whisper in a vast desert."
     - Robert A. Pinker, "Understanding Firearm Ballistics"
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