Author Topic: My 45-70 groups (Read 1452 times)

cpj · « **on:** September 02, 2006, 09:51:39 AM »

The load is 12 grains of Unique, Winchester primers, and a 405 grain cast by me RNFP lee mold bullet, lubed with liquid alox. The group is right at 1 inch, if you throw out the flyer. I was also shooting my Mosin Nagant which has a 83 pound trigger pull right before I shot the Handi. So when I shot the Handi, it went off before I was reasy for it to, hence the flyer. But the other four shots aint to shabby, IMHO.
This was shot a 50 yards, BTW.

knight0334 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2006, 10:06:40 AM »

nice grouping. Some people automatically assume Big bullet = big groups.

My 45-70 Handi shoots clover leafs at 50yds. I made 2 adjustments on it when sighting it in, and it been on target ever since. I tried a couple loads from my Buffalo Classic in the Handi, but I found that Winchester's Super X silver box 300gr JHP offered the best results consistantly. the Win ammo and NEF combo has that "feel where its gonna hit" thing going on about it.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2006, 10:14:16 AM »

Nice shooting, cpj!! I know what you mean about shooting multiple rifles at one sitting, they don't all have the same trigger and stuff like that is easy to do, it can be quite surprising!!

Tim

cpj · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2006, 10:21:46 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on September 02, 2006, 10:14:16 AM

Nice shooting, cpj!! I know what you mean about shooting multiple rifles at one sitting, they don't all have the same trigger and stuff like that is easy to do, it can be quite surprising!!

Tim

That day I shot the Mosin, the 45-70 Handi, the 223 handi, and my ruger 10-22. The 45-70 trigger is not near as good as the .223, and none of them even come close to my 10-22. Of course, the 10=22 is not as it came from the factory either.

C Walley · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2006, 06:47:08 AM »

Nice groups! I have a Marlin 1895G in 45-70 that I reload for. I am planning on getting a handi rifle in 45-70. How stout of a load can these handi rifles safely handle in 45-70? Reason I ask, is I use a 300 gr JHP in my Marlin that is going 1900 fps.

Chris

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2006, 07:01:38 AM »

Welcome to GBO, C Walley!! H&R will tell you that you can load them with levergun loads, but several of us have used low ruger levels without a problem, but recoil is usually the limiting factor. I shoot the 300gr Nosler partition at over 2400fps in my Handi, but that's with laminated stock w/Limbsaver recoil pad, 2lbs of lead in the bolt hole and wearing a Past magnum shoulder pad while bench shooting. They'll handle more than most shooter's shoulders will!!

Tim

C Walley · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2006, 07:18:58 AM »

Thanks for the welcome!

WOW! That is some fps right there! I will just stick with my 1895G loads when I get my handi rifle. Have yall tried any of the new Hornady ammo Levolution? I hope they offer those bullets to reloaders.

Chris

safetysheriff · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2006, 11:13:16 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on September 02, 2006, 10:14:16 AM

Nice shooting, cpj!! I know what you mean about shooting multiple rifles at one sitting, they don't all have he same trigger and stuff, it can be quite surprising!!

Tim

quick'

i hope he isn't dating more than one girl at a time!!!!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2006, 11:20:06 AM »

SS, you're a dirty ol' man......good point, tho!!!

Tim

xhare · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2006, 02:48:12 PM »

My 45-70 is very accurate. Several different loads have fired into an inch or less at 100 yards. Once I fired a 100 yard 3 shot group of 350 grain RN Hornadys that I could cover with a nickle, that is not center to center, that was edge to edge. Groups with 4-5 shots grow to an inch however.

I might add that the 45-70 always seemed to me to be the single best loading for the Handi. Not just accuracy wise, but what you got for the money. When I bought it, the next most affordable 45-70 was a Marlin lever, then the Ruger #1, than the Browning 1885. My handi is at least as accurate as those. Plus, when you consider all of the problems some have had with rimless rounds and ejection, rimmed cartridges always seemed to be the better choice. My 45-70 will spit an empty case out vigorously. You have to be careful while shooting at the bench not to eject a case into your face!

I will keep mine forever. Nuf said.

DPRinks · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2006, 03:01:48 PM »

With a plain Handi, as sold, I have shot a 320gr rfgc at 2200fps and a 515gr 3R at 1700fps.
I do not do that anymore, but the weak link is my shoulder and neck.
I saw no signs of excessive pressure and the rifle opened easily and the brass popped right out.
8 to 10 shots with all touching at 50 yds is the result with most loads, only the Lee 405HB goes wild, but only when I exceed 1400fps, at 1200-1300fps it makes the same ragged holes as most others.

C Walley · « **Reply #11 on:** September 09, 2006, 03:50:36 PM »

Thanks everyone for the good info! Please keep it coming! If you have 45-70 loads you want to share, do so, as I have a 1895G in 45-70 that I feed right now. The handi rifle will follow suit soon.

Chris

jack19512 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 09, 2006, 04:51:40 PM »

I have a new Buffalo Classic 45/70 that I have been working up loads for. Shot it yesterday and today. So far my best load is using Sierra 300 gr. FN Hp bullets and 47 grs. of IMR 4895. Shooting from 75 yards the 3 shot group measured exactly 1 1/2 inches center to center.

I haven't had the rifle long so reloading for it is still in the early stages. With my eyes I am not sure what I will be able to accomplish using the stock iron sights and not using a scope but I really don't want to scope this rifle and I know I have to practice and shoot it the best I can.

I haven't used any commercial ammo, just my reloads. The rifle has a great trigger and as another has stated I find myself having to get use to it after shooting some of my other rifles.

C Walley · « **Reply #13 on:** September 09, 2006, 06:32:12 PM »

What overall length do most of you find yourselves loading at in your handi rifles?

Chris

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** September 09, 2006, 06:56:23 PM »

It depends on the bullet, but all 3 of my .45-70s have short throats, so loading to 2.65" or less is pretty much the rule.

Tim

C Walley · « **Reply #15 on:** September 09, 2006, 07:15:50 PM »

Thats a good length. My Guide Gun has to be held under 2.55" since its a lever.

Chris

John Boy · « **Reply #16 on:** September 14, 2006, 04:49:23 AM »

There is no doubt in my mind that the 45-70 will shoot good groups at any yardage ... if one finds the right reload recipe that the rifle likes. For starters, all H&R BC barrels are made by Green Mountain.

My BC has never tasted white smoke. Was testing a 500gr recipe last summer (50yds - for chronograph results and 100yds for vernier settings. Had 5 rounds left and went to the 600yd line:
OAL group - 4.25" x 2.75" ... 3 holes were a clover leaf 1.5" in diameter. And I had a witness!
Never been able to duplicate that group.

Doing my thing, 12 - 14" groups @ 600yds using black powder are normal with the rifle using a vernier sight

dk17hmr · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2006, 07:21:34 AM »

I was playing with a 500gr Gas Checked Lee bullet the other day out of my BC/Handi. Using 16.8gr of IMR TrailBoss I had a clover leaf at 50 yards with 3 shots. After it did that 3 3shot groups in a row I said yep thats good enough, I havent shot that load at 100 yards yet but I expect good things.

My dad has a Sharps 45-70 and I snagged a few of his reloads and tried them in my 45-70. They were 405gr Jacketed Flat Points at 100 yards with 3 shots it was a lose clover leaf measuring 1.5" outside to outside of course I have a 10x scope on mine. I also tried Factory loaded 300gr hollow points and I wasnt impressed 3 shots measuring 3" at 100 yards.

DK

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 15, 2006, 03:56:39 AM »

FYI,
I dismantled a Remington 405 grain express load, to see what was in it. the powder appeared to be IMR-4198, and the charge weighed 37.5 grains.

Can anyone confirm the powder being IMR-4198?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** September 15, 2006, 05:43:45 AM »

Mike, that would be quite a velocity variance compared to the Lee manual which shows a max of 38gr IMR4198 with a 405gr jacketed bullet at 1620fps. Remington says that ammo should go 1330fps and most say it's closer to 1200fps. Lyman shows 35.5gr max at 1433fps with the rem bullet. Ya couldn't tell by me tho!!

Tim