500 Grain Hornady bullet.

[James B]

Have any of you 45-70 guys ever tried the 500 Grain Hornady bullet in the Handi or BC? I am shooting the Government 4 groove 500 grain RN in the BC and wondered how the length of the 500 jacketed Hornady compares to my cast bullet. When I seat the 500 grain cast just below the last lube ring, I am still 30-40 thousands off the rifling.

[quickdtoo]

As far as a hunting bullet, the 500gr Hornady jacketed RN #45049 won't work at any veloctiy that a 45-70 Handi is capable of shooting it according to Hornady, it's designed to work with the 458 win mag and bigger DG calibers.

[DPRinks]

James;
I have started trying the Lee 500gr postell, which has a B.C. of .443.
I add a gas check and cast it of ww's + 2% Tin.
So far, I am getting 1300fps and plan to try for 1600 fps.
I am using IMR 4198 and moving on to IMR 4895 and BLC2.
If I can get 1600fps safely, it will make my Handi Rifle with 2.5x shotgun scope a 200yd rifle.
Don

[quickdtoo]

Hmmm, the 45-70 Handi is already a 200yd rifle with factory ammo, the PMC 350gr Sierra loads sighted in 3" high at 100yds, will hit 6" low at 200yds within a 2½"-3" group...done it!!

[Mac11700]

Here's my 300 grain Nosler partition load for a vital kill zone of 4"...and how it shapes up for an avaerage midwest deer hunting day...

Point Blank Range Output
Input Data
Muzzle Velocity:    2300.0    ft/sec
Bullet Weight:    300    grains
Ballistic Coefficient:    0.199    
Drag Function:    G1    
Sight Height:    1.500    inches
Vital Zone Radius:    4.000    inches
Temperature:    25.0    °F
Barometric Pressure:    29.92    in Hg
Relative Humidity:    30.0    %
Altitude:    1000    feet
Air Density:    107    % of Sea Level

Calculated Data
Maximum Point Blank Range:    225    yards
Maximum Point Blank Range Zero:    192    yards
Muzzle Energy:    3523.7    ft-lbs
Energy at Maximum Point Blank Range:    1352.0    ft-lbs

Mac

[DPRinks]

Quick;
What is pmc, which Sierra bullet is it, what is the B.C. and what velocity is claimed?
Thank you, Don

[quickdtoo]

Dunno the specs on the bullet other than it's a 350gr FNSP Sierra, here's the ballistics from the PMC web site..

http://www.pmcammo.com/ballistics/rifle_ballistics_4570.php

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=362657

[James B]

Thanks All. I have not shot it at long range but the Hornady 350- grain RN is a bear bullet for sure in the 45-70. I shot a 500 + lb Black in Sask. with that bullet. It entered through the top of the head and went down through the neck and chest and fell out from under the hide between the fron legs. It was mushroomed to about twice its starting size. This from a Marlin rifle at about 1800 fps.

[tanoose]

Quick where did you crimp your 500 gr Hornadys, Its been a long time but if i remember correctly i had to seat past the cannulure  using the  Hornady 500 RN and a H&R ultra fitted with a BC32" with the bullet seated to the cannelure the action would not close.

[James B]

Another word on the 350 Grain Hordady. I also shot a moose with that bullet with my first old Handi Rifle in 45-70. I was  hunting in Sask that time as well. That one went through behind one front shoulder and broke the opposite shoulder and was recovered well mushroomed under the hide as well. I think that is a good bullet for bigger game in the handi's.

[quickdtoo]

Tanoose, I didn't load but one dummy to check COL to see if I could actually chamber them and still have room for adequate powder, COL was 2.674" without touching the lands, but like I said, never shot em cuz Hornady didn't recommend them at 45-70 velocities.