45-70 Range Report

[jparedes]

Went to the Okeechobee Shooting Sports range today.  It is about 66 miles from home, but it was worth it.  Their facilities are first class and for $15.00 you can be there all day.

OK, down to the report:

Ingredients:
Trail Boss (TB)
300 gr bullets from Montana Bulletworks (RCBS (82051)) some sized at 0.458" and others at 0.459".
Starlite brass
Winchester Primers, Large Rifle (WLR)
Regular Handi Rifle with a Mercury recoil suppressor and scope.

Loads were:
a)  16.5 gr. TB, bullets sized to 0.458"
b)  16.5 gr. TB, bullets sized to 0.459"
c)  17.0 gr. TB, bullets sized to 0.458"
d)  17.0 gr. TB, bullets sized to 0.459"

Groups as follow:
a)  3.25"
b)  2.34"
c)  3.38"
d)  4.50"

b) ends up being the winner.

At 100 yrds the b) groups are 2.25" above point of aim
At 50 yrds. the b) groups are 2.38" above point of aim

In general, I think precision is not as good as I would wish, but it is a decent mild load enough for deer at 120 yrd (estimated) or less.

General rifle is starting on November 6th., but Muzzle Loader season is starting next week ( and yes, my Lyman 50. call flintlock Trade Rifle is rearing to go), so I don't have time to develop something different.  After deer season (>January 5th), I'll start trying some different loads with heavier bullets and maybe paper patched bullets.

And a reminder to all:   This loads work for my rifle and I don't have idea if they will work or are safe in yours, so the information given here for my loads are not to be used as loading recommendations for any other rifle.

[gcrank1]

Unless you are a glutton for punishment, or just plain lucky, dont bother with paper patched bullets. It is a fine art with a lot of futzing and grease groove bullets 'done proper' will do what you really want to do.
Just my humble opinion, Im sure someone has done well with them and would disagree; they just aint for me..........

[jparedes]

Thanks, gcranck1.  I have read a lot about them by now to know they can be a great fountain of frustration, but my goal is to develop a load that has an acceptable level of recoil, but at the same time, with enough power and effect to harvest dear humanely, and for that is that I'm looking for a light bullet (300-325 grains) made out of soft lead (BH 6) at speeds around 1300 fps.  The paper patch allows to use pure lead without leading the barrel and the bullet will expand without failure at those speeds.

[gcrank1]

You can achieve that end with a 340 or 405 gr. Lee bullet, cast of soft lead or up to WWt plus a dash of tin (for castability) and will be basically duplicating the old original BP load. A mostly full (to base of bullet) case of Trail Boss has been working fine for me, and right around that velo (for all practical purposes). Ive tried some 300 casts and they are kinda short , but OK for plinkin', for me.
The nice thing about this cartridge is that it has so much history and use behind it that we dont have to re-invent the wheel to make it work.

[jparedes]

Great info.  I will try bullets in that range and see how it goes.  Thanks.