accuracy and b.p. 45/70 loads

[sabbatus]

i'm just wondering what kind of accuracy you guys are getting from your b.p. loads in the 45/70.  just started messing with black on a regular basis.  worked up a load using 70 gr goex cartridge grade, dropped through a 4 ft glass tube then compressed about 1/16th in., topped with a wonder wad, a sheet of news print and a 490 gr lyman 457677,cast of wheel weights, lubed in all grooves with a homemade lube that is based on a copy of emmerts lube with lanolin, loaded to seat in the rifling.  at 100 yds a four shot group measured 2.6 in wide and 1.9 in high out of my n.e.f. handi rifle and a 22 in. barrel.  i also tried 65 and 75 grains of the same powder a bullet but the 70 gave the best results.  the 65 gr. load had two wonder wads instead of just one

[pvtschultz]

Here's a good article to read, although it looks like you've already got as good of accuracy as the author.

http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/1871.htm

[gcrank1]

FWIW, after broken glass in too many places, may I suggest you use alum. arrow shafting with a funnel on top as your drop tube.
I think your initial groups are not bad, especially from a relatively light weight rifle. The more you get used to it, the better they should get. Fouling management will be a problem. Your best groups will probably be with a moist patch downbore, followed by a dry one between each shot.
I like to use smokeless loads duplicating BP ballistics to find out what the rifle is capable of, then try to meet or beat that with BP.
Your 2.6" wide is most likely due to not getting 'behind the gun' quite the same shot to shot off the bench. It torques to the side(s) in recoil unless you absolutely have a neutral position each time.
Elevation issues are often not having the buttpad in exactly the same place on your shoulder or not settling into the same spot on the bench.
Ive watched these things happen with a match .22 c/w 20X scope at 50yd. benched where I can see the hole appear in different spots with changes in the hold as indicated above.

[mechanic]

I haven't shot the "real deal" black, but have shot Pyrodex and Blackhorn.  Best accuracy was from the Pyro and hollow base almost pure lead bullets.  50 yds. < 1", 100 < 2".  In the steady hands and good eyes of a younger marksman, it would probably do better.  But this rifle has shot everything well, just some better.  I have about got tired of the smoke powder, as the cases require too much clean up for me.  It gets attention at the range however, and people seem to really love to shoot it.

[sabbatus]

thats a good idea using the arrow shaft,  i might try that if/when i break my neon light tube.    as far as brass clean up,  it is extra work but to ease things i made a primer punch for the range.  after firing i knock out the primer, toss the brass into a milk jug of hot water and dawn,  they sit there until the end of firing and the ride home,   shake them up   dump them out , rinse  let dry then tumble.  they get nice a clean that way

[gcrank1]

A friend has the most efficient BP case clean-up Ive seen to date. He does the 'jug trick' mentioned above. The ride home jostles it even more. Once home he dumps them in an old colander and runs clear water over them for a few minutes (shake them up a couple times) and lets them drain a bit, shake & drain again, then they go into the food dehydrater trays to run a couple hours & cook off the water. An oven at 150 would do the same. He finishes with the tumbler overnight and they are slick & purdy, ready to go.
BTW, He uses straight BP loads, and quite a bunch at that, and hates clean-up too, so this really works well.

[coues2506]

Are those loads you mention -  by volume or weight?

[Catshooter45]

I would try loosing the wadding.

My 22 inch H&R .45-70 will give me groups as small as inch and an eighth at 100 yards with Universal Clays and a 50/50 pure lead/wheel weights load.


Cat