45-70 Loads

[msar24]

I will be adding the 45-70 barrel to my collection.  I am not familiar with the loads for this caliber.  I have looked through several load books and there are several ways for loading; everything from black powder cowboy loads to gov't high pressure.  What loads can and cannot be used in the 45-70 (BC and regular barrel)?

[Crosshair]

Yup, people around where I live have used low Ruger #1 loads with no ill effects. Recoil is a big problem though because the guns are so light. The 45-70 case head is not much larger than the usual 30-06 case head and even the Ruger loads operate at much lower pressures. So theoreticly there is still safety room by using light Ruger loads. I would still be very carefull though and would not even consider using full power Ruger loads.

[Lone Star]

The maximum internal area of the .45-70 is 7% greater than that of the .30-06.  Hornady Ruger-Level loads push 50,000 cup, while the '06 is loaded to the same pressure.  So, the .45-70 in top Ruger level loads puts 7% more thrust on the frame than a .30-06.

That said, the .500 S&W Magnum is chambered in the Handi, and with its larger area and pressure of over 50,000 psi, it puts even more thrust on the frame.  Since NEF considers the Handi safe for that big cartridge, then one could assume it is fully safe for the hottest .45-70 loads.  But since I own and shoot a .45-70 H&R I know that I don't want to fire any of them!   :-D

[dodd3]

i have a buff classic and for my smokeless loads i use adi powder and a cast lee 500r bullet for a little bit over 1500 fps the bullet is 508grain in a 20 to 1 mix that load gives me 2589 foot pounds of energy thats  enuff for the game here in australia even water buffalo with awell placed shot i can drive it at 1600fps for 2888 foot pounds of energy but i dont feel it is nessersery. and i mite ad that i do not get any leading,i use rooster red lube.
bernie