Anyone know the original bullet weights for the 45-90?

[tommy4toes]

My old 45-70 is now a 90, and now I'd like to experiment with some different weight PPB's. I've been shooting 420 grainers in the Sharps when it was a 70, and will continue to do so, but I'd like to find out what was offered back then and why. Any info?

t4t

[John Traveler]

Tommy,

If I recall correctly, Frasca's Trapdoor Springfields stated that a batch of selected .45-70 rifles were first re-chambered to the experimental .45-90 and used with 500 grain bullets by Springfield Armory shooter in the M1873 Springfield army rifle.  Long-range performance was so good that there was a recommendation to convert all service rifles to this chambering and standardize on the 500 grain bullet ammunition.

The compromise solution was to standardize on the 500 grain bullet for .45-70 ammunition, and use a reduced charge (55 grains) and the  405 grain bullet for .45-70 carbine ammunition.  This required that all service rifles be retrofitted with new rear sights.

HTH
John

[Ray Newman]

The original .45-90  (WCF) was a Winchester developed express load w/ a 300 grn bullet: increased velocity plus a lighter bullet  equaled a flatter trajectory.

According to Sellers, "The Sharps Firearms"  (p. 340),  the .45-2.4" Sharps straight, commonly & erroneously referred today as the .45-90, was introduced in 1877. The common load was  w/ 100 grn of BP & 550 grn PP bullet.

Sellers further states that Sharps never loaded the 2.4" case w/ less than 100 grn of BP & it was designed as a target round.

[tommy4toes]

alright - I knew y'all could help me. I doubt I'll load too many 550's - those suckers reallyhurt before too long. I think I'll try some 500-520 grainers, maybe even a 480. Guess I'll have to dig out my old PAST recoil shield soon

t4t

[Will Bison]

The "standard" load was .45-90-300, it was also loaded as the .45-85-350 and .45-82-405. Once again an example of the same case with different names.

Experimenting will tell you what gives the best mileage. It is an excellent cartridge and has certainly regained popularity.

[Cecil]

If the rifling twist is 1in18" 520-545 grain shoots the best for me

[longrange]

have good results with lee 500grn new to Australia pushed along with         22grn of flash powder plus 48grn 2f and grease cookie holds true for 1000yds and then some capable of hitting 3ft target at 1000yds   regards Vic Australia

[tommy4toes]

OK !!!!!!!
I've got 420, 500, and 520 gr paper patch bullets loaded up, all over some Swiss 1.5. I've also got a Gould mold coming for a hunting load, and will be testing the 420gr bullets for this application as well. Now if I can just get the weather to cooperate.............. :?
Thanks for the info fellas

t4t

[Trapper-Jack]

Longrange
If you don't mind sharing the information, which Lee bullet are you shooting?  They have two molds, one is the .457 flat nose that will take a gas check and the other is a .459 pointed bullet with a flat base.  I'm interested in it for loading for my 45-70.

[longrange]

Trapper Jack      .459 pointed approx 500grn depending on lead/tin mix loaded as posted set back with fwd driving band exposed MV 1200consistent,  am going to try an old loading of 50/50 3f/2f 71
grns total to crank out a few extra ft,  Shoot it out of a High Wall with 35ins barrel starting to come good after 1000rounds . Have also loaded 71grns 2f grease cookie set out so first grease groove exposed shoots ok about 1200fpsRegards  Vic.