My new 45-70 BC

[rawdog]

3 days ago I finally received my .45-70 BC ordered thru a local Walmart for $404 + tax. This was much cheaper than any other source I found especially considering I did not have to pay shipping or FFL transfer fee.
Fit and finish are just fine, the walnut stock is nice. I was gratified to notice that the tolerance at the standing breech was exceedingly small (probably no more than 1/4 thousandth) and only noticeable at all at the very top with a bright backlight.
Yesterday I went to my property in San Saba Co, Texas to shoot. I had 20 rounds of Remington 405grain jacketed and rated for All Rifles (ie, mild trapdoor loads). After getting on paper at 25yds with first shot and then fifty yards and adjusting to a reasonable 1 1/2 inch high at 50yds, I shot what I thought was a nice group of about 1" and a little bit left of center. I adjusted windage a bit right (too much it turned out) as I moved to 100yds.  I had 9 rounds left for 100yds.
5 of those went into a group 1 1/4" ctc extreme spread at 100yds! I have never before done that well at 100yds with iron sights! Even when I was younger and had better eyeballs...That long sight radius and Williams peep must be credited..... very mild recoil, lots of room to load it somewhat hotter and flatten the trajectory a bit. I am VERY pleased with this new rifle!
rawdog
 
 

[KIMBER45]

Yep, it's one of the most funniest toys out there for adults. You'll soon want to try shooting out to 200 and 300 yds. You'll also find out, it's one of the most accurate guns as well.

[gcrank1]

Troll, watch the follow up, hook 'em and reel 'em in........yep, the 45-70 is a fine one to lure a guy in  .

[tacklebury]

Congrats.  My experience when I bought my BC was similar, except my best group has been .87" using 300 gr. HP's over 47 gr. Reloader7 Powder handloads.  Hope you keep loving yours.  My only issue to date is that I haven't found a cast bullet it likes too well.  That's a long range goal of mine now that I'm casting is to find one it will do similarly on accuracy with.

[Norminator]

Rawdog, gotta tell ya, love my 45-70. Have the 405gr Lee mold and it's great. I don't do much in the way of "target shooting". But this gun does hit what it is aimed at. Almost every deer I have shot with it, just fell down right there. Love the big bores. Have fun.
Norm from Canuckistan

[rawdog]

Norminator,
I do plan to use it in our Texas deer season this fall. I killed 3 does and one nice buck this past season with a Handi .30-30, and I could have been content with that gun, but.... well, you know.
 
I am working up loads for Remington Jacketed 405gr .458 bullets that were only $39.95 for 100, I got 200... I have Trailboss, H4895, and IMR3031 I plan to try. I haven't cast any bullets in many years, and then it was pure lead for flintlock muzzleloading. I do have some old saved wheelweight though, may have to try that, someday. Blackpowder too, one of these days.
 
Thanks all.
 
vaya con dios,
rawdog

[gcrank1]

I had some fair snotty 3031 loads a while back. I know it works if you want some 'express' loads. TB is great to emulate the BP ballistics (TB at 100% load density gave me 1250+ fps). Never used H 4895 but its been around like forever so Im sure there is a good load for it too.

[Norminator]

Hey, FYI , I tried pyrodex . Boy, you can barely get 70 grains (volume) and still press a bullet down on it. But, interesting. You can put two 100 gr pyrodex pellets in the casing but I was getting irratic accuracy. Also, I have been using pure lead, or near to it. My "405"gr bullets have been coming out at 115 gr.

[tacklebury]

Make yourself a drop-tube and pack the powder in well.  Pyrodex pellets are compressed very highly and that's why they can be fired with airspace, unlike the loose powder.  I personally prefer pure black and have been having good luck with Graf & Son's FFFg, through a drop tube and a 3/64ths card wad over the powder.  Seems to give slightly better consistency, but doesn't take up a lot of space.  I've read Junior Doughty's suggestion of the beeswax cookie also, and might try that some.  I still really like Reloader7 though as it doesn't foul the bore as bad and accuracy is more consistent. 

[gcrank1]

If you are using a soft lube on the bullets and getting a 'lube star' at the muzzle your lube is lasting through the bore; no lube star and you should consider it. The soft lube also seems to help the fouling stay softer, but in dry weather and hot barrel conditions that can change too. I used BP for my baseline test of the 45-70 and found I could get comparable velo, accuracy and felt recoil (and NO adverse pressure signs) with the 100% Trail Boss loads. Works for me, clean up is a snap and I can save the BP for the muzzle loaders.