.45-70 420 gr FP and 500 gr FP

[jgh4445]

I have a Pedersoli Sharps that I cast and shoot 500 gr Govt bullets and 525 gr Postell bullets in. It is a lot of fun and I only use 1.5 and 2F Swiss to load with. Today I ordered some 420 gr and 500 gr SPG lubed cast bullets from BACO they are both Flat Points. I believe that flat point bullets perform much better in a hunting scenario than do RN bullets. I've tried factory 405 gr bullets loaded with smokeless and my rifle didn't like them at all. Since it didn't like them, I never bought a 405 grain mold. Does anyone have any experience with the 420 grainers? Do you think the same load can be used for all of the 500 gr bullets even though the nose is different?

 

[daboyleroy]

“I've been a fan of the .45/70 for the better part of 40 years and currently have several from lever action Marlins, Sharps and Trapdoors. I have shot just about any load you can think of out of them. If you want original smoke, it's hard to beat good old black powder. I'm not a big fan of Pyrodex and the fake black powder in muzzle loaders, but I don't mind them in cartridges. I have moulds for 340, 405, 500 and 550 grain bullets but my overall favorite seems to be the 405. 50 grains of FFG in the shells shoots good in my carbines and I boost the charge to 60-65 in the rifles. I shoot mostly originals and those loads correlate nicely with the sights. (I can't seem to get 70 in there. You'd need a drop tube or something). If you don't mind smokeless (less cleaning) I like 25 grains of IMR 4198 behind the 405.”

The above is from:
https://www.shootersforum.com/blackpowder-cartridge-shooting-loading/188889-45-70-question.html


Also look at
https://www.shootersforum.com/big-bore-lever-guns/187601-45-70-lighter-loads-soft-bullets.html

 

[EnglishTom]

Don't know if this helps but... I shoot a rolling block in .45-100 it shoots very well using the Lee 405g H/B and the 500g plain base with 80g/v Pyrodex RS and a filler both are good to 500yards. The 405 is just a tadd more accurate, but the difference could be me, lol that 500 lets you know its there.
E/T

 

[ms6852]

I just bought a Pedersoli Sharps a couple of months ago. I have yet to start loading the 405 gr bullets. I did buy some factory ammo for it and it shot the 300 grain very well at two hundred yards. The Remington 405 gr cor lokt was shot pretty well by the rifle as well. I have ordered some of the laser cast pre lubed at 405 grains which I plan to shoot in the original diameter of .459 and to size them to .458 and see which it likes best. I custom ordered the sizing die from lee and as soon as I receive my orders I'll start loading.

 

[HamSlamma]

I believe that flat point bullets perform much better in a hunting scenario than do RN bullets.

This statement is very true!

 

[jgh4445]

Got the BACO bullets today. They look awesome. I sure would like to know what mold they use for the 500 gr FP.

 

[Pete D.]

My Trapdoor carbine shoots 405s very nicely over 55 grains of FFg, a grease cookie and filler to the base of the bullet.
Pete

 

[eastbank]

my ruger #1 loves H-4198 powder with loads from weak trapdoor to small elephant loads with both cast hard to heavy jacketed bullets. my favorited hunting load is 50grs with a 300gr hornady HP bullet(ruger only), it cuts bullet holes at 75 yards.

 

[jgh4445]

Took a nice Doe Thanksgiving Day with one of the 500 gr Govt Bullets ( I think it is the Lyman 457125 Mold). She was standing at 110 yds broadside. Bullet went just a tad high, entered and exited with little to no damage. She just collapsed. Gonna get my sights set for 400 yds in 50 yd increments. 400 is as long as we can shoot on our lease but several fields offer that range shot. Think I'm gonna use the 425's I just got to set the rifle up.