Author Topic: New look on a good old girl (Read 1245 times)

petemi · « **on:** April 11, 2013, 03:19:20 AM »

I just got this stock set from YRUpunting? It is just perfect, and I want to thank him.. This .45-70 was my first Handi and has lived all her years on a nice, but bland pallet wood stock set. I bought it used and it came with the 3-9x50 Simmons 8 Point, which I thought to replace when it shot apart.....It's still haging in there. Clear and sturdy. The leather claw sling is a hold over from my earliest days shooting in the Junior Rifle Club with a Remington 521T. I find it not only steadies the rifle, but the tight stock to shoulder fit cuts recoil. The cartridge holder is filled with nine 325 gr. Hornady LEs. They're a gift from a good friend and that's why they're there. Yesterday, after I fitted the stock, I took a shot with one at an ice shard sticking out of a snow bank about 80 yards away. It was larger than a gallon jug and just vaporized. I found a few small pieces on the snow where it had stood, but the rest was gone.

Now the question. I want a shorty .45-70. Do I bob this one or build another?

Pete

Doc Fillem · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2013, 04:24:25 AM »

I like the new look.

Old Fart · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2013, 05:00:54 AM »

Handsome looking rascal.
I've got her red-headed skinny brother.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2013, 05:17:32 AM »

Pete,

Build another one as it is a good REASON to buy another rifle and of course the components to work up another load. I have (4) .458 bore handis and all are different lengths, 18.5", 22", 28" & 32". That sure is a big jump from 22" to 28", maybe I need a fifth (handi, not squeezins

).

BB

Ol BW · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2013, 05:47:37 AM »

;DBUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!;D

Sorry I couldn't resist! +1 on building a new one. . .what's the use being a Handihaulic if you try NOT to get another?!?!

Besides why mess up a good looking, great shooting ol' girl like that?

gstewart44 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2013, 05:50:56 AM »

Pete - that sure is a pretty setup.....I have always like the green lams.

I have a question: Is there much performance fall off when shortening the 45/70 to 18" with our modern powders?

John A Havens · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2013, 05:54:20 AM »

Pete ,I Like it a lot.

Spanky · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2013, 06:12:52 AM »

Don't cut the ol' girl down Pete... she's lookin' good with the lams.

Like the other fella's said... this is a real good reason to start a new project.

Spanky

petemi · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2013, 07:20:38 AM »

Thanks guys, I think you are right. I'll keep this old lady the way she is, and get another to cut down.

gstewart44, I haven't noticed a terrific loss in velocity and none in accuracy shortening any of my Handis from 22 to 16.5 or 18 inches. The .38-55 went from 28 to 18 and that's still poking a 213 gr. bullet 2275 fps. More bark, but that's about it. I believe with handloading you can still get more than factory velocities out of a shorty Handi. As long as I have one that can get the most out of a load and give me the longest reach, I can afford to have a shorty for the closer stuff......and, I prefer the shorties. They're just "Handier". I don't have to shoot 3 and 400 yards every day. If you do a lot of walking, they really shine along with the Superlights..

Pete

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #9 on:** April 11, 2013, 08:04:04 AM »

Pete that stock looks great! I'm not sure what's worse, the siren song of the Handi or the siren song of the hacksaw!

petemi · « **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2013, 08:17:52 AM »

Good question Dan.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2013, 08:29:43 AM »

Good choice Pete, looks great!!

My 28" 38-55 pushed 220gr jacketed about 100fps faster than the 18".

Tim

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #12 on:** April 11, 2013, 03:08:37 PM »

She has been a solid, faithful shootin' iron for you so far Pete, be a shame to change her now. I agree with the others, get another to make a shortie and build a new relationship with her. The lams look great on the ol' girl, looks like she's ready to go out dancin with you. (Hope Patty don't get jealous!) DP

Flynmoose · « **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2013, 03:22:46 PM »

There must be an echo in here... Looks Great! Don't change a thing....Time for another new project Handi!!
FM

petemi · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2013, 11:04:05 PM »

Tim, only 100 fps.

I think we made a good trade getting rid of 10 inches of barrel

Not that anyone around here knows what they're talking about

, but I'm gonna follow your advice. I have a SB2 frame that needs some work. I can't use it as it is, and I won't sell it in that condition. I think I'll just pack it off the H&R for the .45-70 barrel and kill two birds When It gets home, I'll cut the barrel to 16.5 or 18 myself and crown it. I'm thinking 16.5 might be too short for the caliber. Any thoughts there?

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2013, 04:30:57 AM »

18" sounds good to me, I have a Talo Trapper 18¾ 45-70" that I'm fond of, haven't shot it much yet, but I've handled it a lot, had a Handi-grip on it for it's first range trip, decided I didn't like it so much, so changed to a camo syn checkered set, I think it's gonna be my elk gun if I draw an old timers permit.

Tim

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2013, 04:55:03 AM »

Quote from: petemi on April 11, 2013, 11:04:05 PM

Tim, only 100 fps. I think we made a good trade getting rid of 10 inches of barrel Not that anyone around here knows what they're talking about , but I'm gonna follow your advice. I have a SB2 frame that needs some work. I can't use it as it is, and I won't sell it in that condition. I think I'll just pack it off the H&R for the .45-70 barrel and kill two birds When It gets home, I'll cut the barrel to 16.5 or 18 myself and crown it. I'm thinking 16.5 might be too short for the caliber. Any thoughts there?

Pete

Grab your ear plugs Pete! The Sirens are clouding your mind!

I'd think a standard load 45-70 in a 16.5" barrel would be about as pleasant as a trip to the dentist. It would resolve your Trail Boss surplus though.

Ol BW · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2013, 07:14:01 AM »

Quote from: petemi on April 11, 2013, 11:04:05 PM

I'm thinking 16.5 might be too short for the caliber. Any thoughts there?

Pete

If you went 16.5" then you would have a carbine AND a flame thrower in one!

Aren't flame throwers illegal?

BW

Shu · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2013, 07:24:55 AM »

I went 16.5 with my 45-70. I like it. I don't mis the longer barrel at all. IMHO straight cartridges should have 16.5 barrel and them fancy bottle necks can have longer ones.

petemi · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2013, 09:26:06 AM »

Dan, I tend to agree with Shu. I think I'm gonna go 16.5. I can come up with milder loads for it. I already have a 300 yard .45-70. Don't need another. It'd be fearsome medicine for two or four legged prowlers. Put it on a camo lam and keep the load about 14 -1500. With all that solved, all I need now is a place to put it

This house is small.

Pete

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 12, 2013, 11:25:45 AM »

Nice looking rifle Pete.

My first Handi was a 22 inch 45-70 with irons. Bought it and then didn't touch it or shoot it for the next ten years. The first rounds I loaded and fired through it went into an inch and an eighth group at 100.

I liked the round/rifle combo so much that I bought two more barrels (here, of course) another 22 and a 36. Cut the 22 to 16.5 and haven't altered the 36.

They make a great trio. I haven't done it yet but I intend to load the shorty with 400 grainers, but going slow like 900 fps or so for close range.

Long ways around to say I'd keep you'n like it is and just get more of 'em. Hard to go wrong with a 45-70.

Cat

jon f · « **Reply #21 on:** April 12, 2013, 11:41:45 AM »

Love the green laminate stock set. If they build them we will come...lol

theratdog · « **Reply #22 on:** April 12, 2013, 08:44:13 PM »

SWEET LOOKING SET UP. ON YOUR NEXT SHORTY TRY SOME SEXY CINNAMON LAMINATES STOCKS YOU WILL REALLY LIKE THEM TOO.

petemi · « **Reply #23 on:** April 12, 2013, 10:32:07 PM »

I have some cinnamon lams too. It's a shame the ammo cuffs cover up the pretty wood, but they're Handi. The eighteen inch Savage 24 will wear a butt stock cartridge holder for the 20s and a four round sling for the Maxi.

I'm taking a tip from BW and I'll call the .45-70 shorty "Flame Thrower".

Pete

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2013, 01:17:30 AM »

Pete,
I know you have the 18'' 38-55 and with its hotter loads it surely ''barks'' too. But having had a 14'' 45-70 and shot the 16'' variety from a Contender I must mimic YRU's noise comment... BEWARE! I know you have read my warning to others contemplating the same thing, but unless your gonna stay with trap door loads, this is gonna be NO FUN to hunt with from a noise perspective. I own Marlins too, (As you know) and I am lucky enough to have a couple Marauders. If you don't know these have 16'' barrels. Know something else... I HATE TO SHOOT THEM!!! BOTH the 30-30 and 35Rem are TOO LOUD!!!

How about this... Start the ''hunt'' for a 45 Colt carbine barrel. It already has the shorter barrel and will be far more friendly noise wise. Plus if you need you can load up to your lower end 45-70 levels.

I have both and use them both. Its a nice overlap in preformance. Just an idea...

CW

MSP Ret · « **Reply #25 on:** April 13, 2013, 01:44:13 AM »

I go along with the majority on this Pete, DO NOT CUT HER DOWN!!!
Get/build another, or at least get just another barrel, cut it down and fit it to the same frame for "shorty" use. You can't do that to your old and faithful friend. In addittion, the happiness that comes with getting another barrel or another gun is incalcuable....<><....

44 Man · « **Reply #26 on:** April 13, 2013, 03:01:33 AM »

Pete, if you can't decide between a 16" and an 18", make it a 17"! Why not be different and go with an 'odd' length. Of course that may lend people to say that you too are.....

well, they might be saying that already anyway so what the heck. I had a 24" 45-70 and that was a nice length also. My thinking was that it would end up being the same length as handling a lever carbine and it was. Nice stocks! That gun is a perfect place for them. 44 Man