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Author Topic: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)  (Read 718 times)

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Offline jparedes

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First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« on: August 08, 2011, 05:40:13 AM »
Finally, after many tribulations (see thread: Ordered my 45-70 from Mid West Hunters Outlet and what a dissapointment!), I was able to take my 45-70 Handi to the range.

Before going, I installed a Mercury Recoil suppressor and a LimbSaver butt pad on it.  I'm happy to report that this way, the apparent recoil feels alot much less than the one I get from my 30-06 mauser sporter. And by the way, the Handi now balances very well, with the CG just ahead of the trigger guard.

The range here in town is the Sheriff's facility, which they only open once a month to the public, but it is nice and close to my home.  They have a 50 yrds range and also a variable length range (100, 200 and 300 yrds.).  This past weekend, when I went, it was set up for 100 yrds.

I shot it with the standard open sight and the ammo was the 300 gr by Remington.

Dealing with the sight was difficult, specially the lateral adjustment.  The up and down adjustment is very nice.

Finally, once I had it sighted in (more or less) I was able to make groups of about 2 1/8" to 2 1/2".  Not bad for iron sights at 100 yrds.  Most of the difficulties I found shooting with the open sight, was the heat of the barrel rising up and distorting the view of the front sight and the target.

Next step, will be to develop the perfect loads for it.  To do that, I already installed a scope and started the process of reloading.  Got some Trail Boss powder and gas checked 300 gr Montana Bullets sized to .458".  Next weekend if the stars line up correctly, I will be going to another range to test the loads.
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Offline petemi

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2011, 07:22:41 AM »
Good luck with your Handi .45-70.  You'll like it. :D   I checked Hodgdon's trap door level Trail Boss load for 300 gr. cast bullet.  They show a max load of 16.5 gr. for 1285 fps, and only 25,600 CUP.  That should be very comfortable to shoot.  I'd save my gas checked bullets for hotter loads and use just plain hard cast.  I don't think you'll get much if any leading without the gas check, and you'll save a few bucks.

Pete
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Offline jparedes

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2011, 09:07:47 AM »
Petemi,

Thank you very much for your input.  Excellent!


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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2011, 12:24:48 PM »
jparedes,
 
Glad things are looking up on your 45-70.  I would suggest that you take one of your 300 grain cast bullets and see if it will fit into one of your fired and unsized remington brass.  If the bullet fits snug or will not go with finger pressure good, if it just falls into the brass then .458" is probably a little small for a lead bullet in your gun.  Using as large a diameter lead bullet as you can load and chamber will usually result in better accuracy.  Good luck at the range.
 
BB
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2011, 02:39:44 PM »
+ 1 on BB's recommendation. That TB load will be very mild; dont be afraid to go about 20.0 on at least a couple to know what they are like. I predict you will like it very much.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2011, 02:42:44 PM »
I'd get some 405 grain bullets.  The recoil is no worse.  Consider 2400 and IMR-4198.
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Offline sabbatus

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2011, 04:50:43 PM »
second swampman of the powder choices.   i bet that handi will like those bullets fat.  It seems that most handis prefer bullets at.459,  one of mine really likes them at .460.
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Offline Hodr

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2011, 04:54:47 PM »
jparedes,
I cut my H&R 45-70 to 20" and stock was cut to give a 12" trigger pull.  I put a red dot on it because I really don't intend to shoot over 100yds.  Last elk, I set up outside a trail into a cattle tank and hit the biggest cow elk comimg out with a 350 grain Buffalo bore from a distance of 20-30'.  Went in one side and and left a big hole going out on the other side.  My play round is a collar button round, 125 grain, on top of Trailboss.  You won't even believe what it does to a coyote. 
This is a fun gun.
 
Hodr
 
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Offline GH1

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Re: First Light! (Handi in 45-70)
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2011, 10:16:52 AM »
I've loaded plain based 300 and 350 gr cast bullets on top of 14 gr of T.B. with good results. A nice, comfortable round.
GH1 :)
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