Author Topic: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?  (Read 852 times)

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Offline quasne.inc

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.45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« on: January 26, 2012, 07:22:12 PM »
So I have the bug to do a handi smokeless conversion after reading about others doing it on here.  I was wondering if the only difference between using these two barrels would be the caliber you would end up using in the sabots, or  does one have the advantage over the other?  I have a lot of .45 cal bullets from when I had my blackhawk and thought the .500 would make more since for me.   I figured since it starts out as a centerfire this would be the right forum to ask this.  And as always thanks ahead of time.

Offline Jason F

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2012, 11:34:25 PM »
The 500 has wrong size bore for using sabots
handi rifles- 22 mag      22 hornet    223      7mm-08      308 chip shot     30-30 x2     30-06 shorty      358 cheez whiz     357 max     35 remington     375-08    410 rifled slug     454 casull     460 s&w     45 smokeless muzzleloader x2     45-70    50 huntsman    50-70 government shikari     20 ga.ush     12 ga.ush    12 ga.3 1/2     10 ga.imp.cyl. slug gun

Offline Slufoot

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2012, 11:42:37 PM »
That's right, Jason F nailed it.
A 50 cal muzzleloader is bore .500 and then rifled, the 500 S&W is bored about .492 and then rifled.
I was going to do this, but even my loosest fiting 50 caliber sabots would not load. 
 
GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2012, 02:03:39 AM »
+2.  I keep thinking about it but if you do the 500 S&W you are going to have to make your own conicals.  Might be able to take a regular 50 cal MZ soft lead conical and build or buy a sizing die and get it down to the correct diameter.  Even if you do that you are going to be stuck with typical 50 cal MZ velocities, however the plus would be much cheaper shooting and minimal cleaning.
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline tom548

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2012, 03:28:48 AM »
I waited years for Savage to start making a .45 they never did. I converted the 45-70 Handi and have been very happy. The  biggest problem was building a forarm that I could keep a full length  one piece ram rod in.   Are you thinking BP or smokeless powder?

Offline Jason F

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2012, 03:53:05 AM »
I tried a maxiball in my 500 barrel ,i casted it with pure lead it was impossible to load it without a hammer
handi rifles- 22 mag      22 hornet    223      7mm-08      308 chip shot     30-30 x2     30-06 shorty      358 cheez whiz     357 max     35 remington     375-08    410 rifled slug     454 casull     460 s&w     45 smokeless muzzleloader x2     45-70    50 huntsman    50-70 government shikari     20 ga.ush     12 ga.ush    12 ga.3 1/2     10 ga.imp.cyl. slug gun

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2012, 04:50:40 AM »
I tried a maxiball in my 500 barrel ,i casted it with pure lead it was impossible to load it without a hammer

a sizing die & press can be your friend. ::)
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline Slufoot

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2012, 05:52:31 AM »
I never have and never will recommend shooting smokeless powder without a sabot.
 
The plastic sabot is your friend, your pressure relief valve if you will. If you load too much smokeless the plastic sabot will blow out and let the excessive pressure out the muzzle. Without the sabot, who knows where the excessive pressure will vent.
 
Do not shoot smokeless with out a sabot.
 
GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Offline quasne.inc

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Re: .45-70 or .500 s&w for smokeless ML?
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2012, 07:06:14 AM »
Thats what I was wondering.  I didnt know anything about the .500.  Plus I would rather do a .45-70 anyway.  Thanks yall.  Now where can I sell a kidney to fund all my projects?