Most Powerful 45-70 Loads

[painted horse]

One thing you can do to help recoil on that BC is take the butt plate off and fill the bolt hole with as much bird shot as you can get in there. That'll add a couple pounds and also helps balance that long barrel a bit. I've long thought about implementing a recoil pad on mine also. I read on an old BC forum that the information from H&R said 40,000 psi was O.K.     Don't know if I would want to try that though. Could be total BS.  In my opinion Internet Wisdom is an oxymoron...

[tacklebury]

I use a small slip on Limbsaver recoil pad.  That way I don't damage the finish on the wood, but I get relief, especially when shooting large ladder groups.  lol  I did 70 in one day and I was definitely feeling it. 

[keith44]

In the H&R rifles a case full of 3031, slightly compressed and lit with a magnum primer, all under a 405 grain Hard cast flat point will get your attention.  It is entirely too much for whitetail deer, shooting through at all angles.


Why do you want to punish yourself with these loads?? a 300 to 350 grain bullet at 1,200 to 1,500 fps will pass through any animal on this continent.

[mk454]

grizzly cartridges has a saami spec 405 gr punch bullet load at 2050fps.  this will easily take an elephant or any other african game from any angle.

[EsoxLucius]

I just sold my Buffalo Classic this summer. I had shot a variety of loads through it and must say that without replacing the steel butt plate I wouldn't shoot maximum loads through it.  They were just too painful. However, here is the most powerfull load I shot through it.
 
Wesson and Harrington 1871 Buffalo Classic
45-70 Government
.458" 400 grain Kodiak Super Premium Bonded Core FNSP seated to 2.57"
Winchester brass
CCI-200 primer
48 grains H4198 start 2090 fps
53 grains H4198 maximum 2280 fps

[swifty22]

I have a Ruger #3 and when I got it new and loaded max. Ruger level Hornady book loads w/the 500 gr SP with 4198. Never was kicked so hard till I shot a little 31/2" single shot 12 ga. break open. It was like nuthin I have ever seen, makes a 375 H&H feel like a 243. Anyway I removed the 45-70 bbl and it is now a 26" 6mm/Swift, much nicer but I still have the 45-70 bbl-Muddy

[oldarkie]

i myself own 3 45/70 govt  single shot, lever action, siames mauser bolt i had built . in my siames b/a i ues 50 gr of imr 4198 fed gm 210m pr 350 gr hornday rn bullet . i can go up to 53 gr imr 4198 max . my 50 gr ld gives just a little over 2000 fps,53 gr should give around 2300 fps,but these ld are not for little boys because these ld HAVE A BARK N ABITE make sure gun can handle it , and now of theses lds are over max. the 45/70 is my favorite big bore .

[kevinsmith5]

I shoot 410 gr Saeco 21A hard cast gas checked tapered bullets at 1750 fps over 55 gr of Varget. If there is something in NA it won't drop I can't imagine what it is. I am using a BC with 19 ounces of lead #6 shot in the bolt hole and a custom made (by me) lace on recoil pad that has a wooden insert inside the foam to flatten the curved plate. It is a powerful load I can shoot all day.

[idefendem]

The Rugers are the only guns that I would even consider firing hot loads with, period.  Stay with the recipes found in the latest manuals.  That said my nest 45/70 loads are those that are the most accurate from my Ruger 1s.  They are not the hottest, fastest...just the the ones that impact precisely where I point'em

[Jason F]

If your really looking to get oomph out of hat classic have the chamber lengthened to be 45-120 yuh can stilll shoot 45-70 and you can load the 45-120 up quite a bi more without a ton of chamber pressure.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKdAY30tWxg

You will most likely split the necks on the 45-70 shooting them in a 45-120 chamber

[Nobade]

Not to mention no accuracy whatsoever.

[swifty22]

Banjo, Like rbursek said!!!!!!!! I got my #3 in 1983 and went nuts w/the Hornady Book and simply loaded max loads for the 350 and 500 w/I-4198. Whoa! first thing I did was  to move all my fingers OUTSIDE of the lever and put a recoil pad on her. It shot great but like another hard kickers the trigger is the thing and it is pretty good. The second thing I did was to rebarrel it to a 220 Swift w/a 26" bbl. That really took the snot out of it. Still have the 45-70 bbl. and extractor just in case. I went nuts a couple of years ago and bought a NEF 45-70 and w/RCBS 300 cast HP load it to somewhat below intorable and it shoots good to. The only thing I ever shot that kicked harder than the #3 w/500's @ max. was a 3.5" NEF (if you will) 12 gauge that has a 18" bbl. That thing is in a class by itself! Once was enough-Muddy

[bikerbeans]

55 grains of RL7, with a 405 grain LFNGC -Cast Performance bullet at about 2.555".  Nickled plated brass with a very strong Lee FC.  They chronied 2300+ out of a friend's CVA 45-70.  I shot two out of an unmodified 22" H&R 45-70, first one the scope bit my forehead and the second one popped the action open of a  well fitted gun.  I have more of these cartridges that my friend loaded but they are now "display" cartridges. 

BB

[keith44]

55 grains of RL7, with a 405 grain LFNGC -Cast Performance bullet at about 2.555".  Nickled plated brass with a very strong Lee FC.  They chronied 2300+ out of a friend's CVA 45-70.  I shot two out of an unmodified 22" H&R 45-70, first one the scope bit my forehead and the second one popped the action open of a  well fitted gun.  I have more of these cartridges that my friend loaded but they are now "display" cartridges. 

BB

 
Can't say I'd want auto eject added to an H&R through hot loads.

[bikerbeans]

55 grains of RL7, with a 405 grain LFNGC -Cast Performance bullet at about 2.555".  Nickled plated brass with a very strong Lee FC.  They chronied 2300+ out of a friend's CVA 45-70.  I shot two out of an unmodified 22" H&R 45-70, first one the scope bit my forehead and the second one popped the action open of a  well fitted gun.  I have more of these cartridges that my friend loaded but they are now "display" cartridges. 

BB

 
Can't say I'd want auto eject added to an H&R through hot loads.

Never know when you will need a really quick second shot.
 
BB

[bikerbeans]

Not to mention no accuracy whatsoever.

+1, tried this with cast lead in my 45-120 and every bullet that hit the target was a keyhole. I assume the misses where thumbling as well.   Leaded up my barrel big time.  Didn't seem to hurt the brass, which was Starline.
 
BB

[evan1395]

I am looking for the most powerful 45-70 loads that you guys use. I am talking about the one load you would go to if you needed max energy. Any bullet weight but prefer 400 gr or over.

P.S. My rifle is a buffalo classic.

This right here is your poison man, if you are looking for an extremely strong and relativley fast round for the .45-70 this is it. 500 Grain slug marked at 2300fps. The Hornady 325 FTX travel that same velocity but are a whole 175 grains lighter. So imagine the PUNCH this thing has at both the barrel and the stock!
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/80799
 
I have yet to buy these, for I am scared they may just do somthing to my Handi. But in your buffalo classic, it should handle these no problem.

[quickdtoo]

I am looking for the most powerful 45-70 loads that you guys use. I am talking about the one load you would go to if you needed max energy. Any bullet weight but prefer 400 gr or over.

P.S. My rifle is a buffalo classic.

This right here is your poison man, if you are looking for an extremely strong and relativley fast round for the .45-70 this is it. 500 Grain slug marked at 2300fps. The Hornady 325 FTX travel that same velocity but are a whole 175 grains lighter. So imagine the PUNCH this thing has at both the barrel and the stock!
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/80799
 
I have yet to buy these, for I am scared they may just do somthing to my Handi. But in your buffalo classic, it should handle these no problem.

The BB 500gr 45-70 ammo is rated at 1600fps, the bullet may be rated for 2300fps apparently and they buggered the heading,  read the details. 

Tim

Buffalo Bore .45-70 ammunition is externally identical to SAAMI spec 45-70 ammo, but internally it generates FAR more power and pressure. So, the .45-70 ammo will fit into ANY .45-70 firearm, but is not safe in every 45-70 firearm. Its use should be limited to the following firearms: All Marlin 1895 (1895 Marlins are all model 336 actions, chambered in .45-70) iterations made since 1972, all Browning 1885 and 1886 copies, New England Arms Handi Rifle, T/C Encore, ALL falling block actions made of modern steel such as Ruger #1 and #3, Shiloh, Christian and Persoli Sharps, all Winchester 1886 iterations made since 1915 and all Siamese Mauser bolt actions.

Velocity at muzzle: 1600 fps
 Velocity at 50 yards: 1486 fps
 Velocity at 100 yards: 1381 fps
 Energy at muzzle: 2841 ft/lbs
 Energy at 50 yards: 2452 ft/lbs
 Energy at 100 yards: 2119 ft/lbs

[evan1395]

I am looking for the most powerful 45-70 loads that you guys use. I am talking about the one load you would go to if you needed max energy. Any bullet weight but prefer 400 gr or over.

P.S. My rifle is a buffalo classic.

This right here is your poison man, if you are looking for an extremely strong and relativley fast round for the .45-70 this is it. 500 Grain slug marked at 2300fps. The Hornady 325 FTX travel that same velocity but are a whole 175 grains lighter. So imagine the PUNCH this thing has at both the barrel and the stock!
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/80799
 
I have yet to buy these, for I am scared they may just do somthing to my Handi. But in your buffalo classic, it should handle these no problem.

The BB 500gr 45-70 ammo is rated at 1600fps, the bullet may be rated for 2300fps apparently and they buggered the heading,  read the details. 

Tim

Buffalo Bore .45-70 ammunition is externally identical to SAAMI spec 45-70 ammo, but internally it generates FAR more power and pressure. So, the .45-70 ammo will fit into ANY .45-70 firearm, but is not safe in every 45-70 firearm. Its use should be limited to the following firearms: All Marlin 1895 (1895 Marlins are all model 336 actions, chambered in .45-70) iterations made since 1972, all Browning 1885 and 1886 copies, New England Arms Handi Rifle, T/C Encore, ALL falling block actions made of modern steel such as Ruger #1 and #3, Shiloh, Christian and Persoli Sharps, all Winchester 1886 iterations made since 1915 and all Siamese Mauser bolt actions.

Velocity at muzzle: 1600 fps
 Velocity at 50 yards: 1486 fps
 Velocity at 100 yards: 1381 fps
 Energy at muzzle: 2841 ft/lbs
 Energy at 50 yards: 2452 ft/lbs
 Energy at 100 yards: 2119 ft/lbs

I can see that now Quickd Thanks for the correction! I was thinking 2300FPS was pretty darn fast for a 500gr bullet.

[keith44]

I was thinking 2300FPS was pretty darn fast for a 500gr bullet.

500 grain bullet at 2,300 fps sounds suspiciously like a heavy African Caliber.  The generic recipe being a bullet of heavy or monolithic construction weighing about 500 grains at a velocity of about 2,300 fps.


http://huntnetwork.net/modules/wfsection/html/Ah450%20Bore%20Status%20Report%20Perspectives.pdf

[quickdtoo]

Waaay too fast from a 45-70, but just a start load for a 460 Weatherby. 

Tim

[evan1395]

Waaay too fast from a 45-70, but just a start load for a 460 Weatherby. 

Tim

Damn lol. S&W .500 start at 500 grain as well don't they?

[quickdtoo]

Max 500S&W 500gr rifle loads run ~1500-1600fps.

Tim

[HuntinandBanjos94]

I was somewhat naive last year in asking for max power in my 45-70. I have since learned a lot and I thank you guys for all the info you've given me. More power doesn't always mean better. So do any of you guys have any good loads for 500-515 grain bullets in the 1600 fps range?

[Dresden]

Just a comment from a non 45-70 user.


I have read Randy Garretts penetration information and found it very interesting.  I am somewhat amused however that in the USA for many years we were told velocity and hydro-shock is what kills game. It seems that what the British discovered by practical application was heavy for caliber bullets at moderate velocities work very well, and when using solids penetrate deeply.


I think you 45-70 guys are doing very well, keep up the good work with your guns.

[keith44]

check also the writings of Elmer Keith, and Paul Matthews (to name but two) for further enlightenment

[JeffG]

460 cast gas check. 40gr H322. Large magnum rifle primer .  1600 fps

[spartacus1239]

Garrett 45-70 +P Hammerheads.

420 Gr. Super hard cast at 1850 FPS

[BBF]

Those Brit loads weren't meant for 120 lb Whitetails.