[Sandy50]

I will be participating in SASS events next year, probably shooting in Cowboy Action Shooting. I would appreciate guidance from the masters out there about shooting up to 300 yds with the various rounds available. I am new to this 45-70 shooting so words of wisdom about accuracy and recoil would be appreciated.

Keep 'em in the X Ring.

[Jim Watson]

Are you going to be buying or loading ammunition?
The various light bullet (300 gr) hunting loads are not great for accuracy as far as 300 yards. Some silhouette shooters will keep a lower recoil "chicken killer" for 200 but go to full loads at 300 and above.
I would recommend nothing lighter than the old carbine load of a 405 at 1100 fps.

[BHP FAN]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=178577

[Sandy50]

Jim,

Thanks for the quick response. I will be buying initially and return to hand loads as time and budget allow.

[Tedak]

I havn't seen to many, or any, 300yd targets at a SASS meet.

[TomADC]

This is a great place to buy from, many times you can get ome great buys on BP ammo in their overstock sales. Plus the minimum order for BP is 5 lbs, the price you see already has the hazmat fee in it.

http://www.powderinc.com/index.html

[Ridgerunner665]

I don't know a thing about SASS...

But I have been shooting my 45-70 at 300 yards...I'd say a traditional load (standard pressure) using a 405 grain cast bullet with the LFN (long flat nose) profile would do fine.

I'm shooting Beartooth 405's in my Marlin 1895 and that combo is more accurate than the average bolt action with deer loads (sub MOA)...

With tailored loads...lever actions CAN shoot right up there with bolt actions.

[Bluehawk]

I've never seen a 300-yard event at any SASS shoot...but be that as it may, an excellent 100 yard target load for the 45-70 is RCBS 300 grain FP, gas checked bullet...26 grains of IMR 4198...small pinch of polyester pillow stuffing to keep the powder down on the primer.

[TomADC]

Sandy50 I take it since you asked this question here you plan on shooting black powder? What are you going to shoot it in?

[English Bob]

What rifle are you using?

[Sandy50]

I have ordered a Cimarron Sharps "Pride of the Plains" from Buffalo Arms, 30 in. barrel. Met Dave Gullo up in Ponderay, Idaho a couple of weeks ago, and made myself a promise to purchase a rifle from him.

[English Bob]

Nice choice it's a smart looking rifle.

Have a Pedersoli sporter which we have had some good results with, I bought it for myself originally about 15 years ago now my wife is shooting with it. It's in 45-2.4" (45-90) and had been using the Lyman 525gr 457125 bullet cast at 20:1 lead-tin mix.

A couple of pointers for you without ramling on...buy yourself a copy of "SPG Lubricants BP Cartridge Reloading Primer' by Mike Venturino & Steve Garbe before you begin getting your reloading gear together...you will not regret it it's a great place to begin.

The Pedersoli barrels seems to prefer a larger bullet...I'm shooting a .460 Buffalo Arms Creedmoor bullet thesedays but the .458 Lyman bullet shot very well even though we got a slight amount of leading just infront of the chamber.

To get good results with a BPCR you will need to invest some serious time in casting quality bullets and working up a good load. Do not be put off by this, it's just an honest remark...lots of guys get them and give up far too early...stick at it. Ignore the comments about BP being hard to clean, messy and eating your barrel overnight...it's all generally rubbish so long as you observe a few precautions. The biggest chore with BPCR is case cleaning but even that can be made simple by getting the case into water quickly after firing and investing in a rotary wet tumbler with either ceramic or stainless steel media.

But most of all have fun with it, they're very, very addictive and will shoot superbly. :)

[Sandy50]

English Bob,

Great comments and obviously based on much experience. While I have many faults, lack of tenacity is not one of them. Once I commit to a sport/activity, I am all in. Thank you for your encouragement. I have been a pistol shooter for many years and once loaded all my ammo. I will take a look at your recommended loading guide today.

Take care,

Sandy