45-70, 90, 110, 120

[jamesb]

Maybe some one with a bit more knowledge of the 45-series of cartridges can help me out. I have read that the .45-90 and .45-70 are identical except for the case length and the .45-70 can be fired out of a rifle chambered in .45-90. Are all the shells similar enough in regards to tapir and bullet diameter that a rifle chambered in .45-120 could be used to fire .45-110, .45-90 and .45-70? Or is the tapir of the shell different enough that you would get case splitting? If this were possible would there be more repercussions besides fouling the chamber with lead as akin to shooting 22 shorts in a rifle chambered for 22LR. I am trying to make a decision on which caliber to get a sharps in. I currently do not reload but will in the future (need to feed my 45 colts) when I get space so all but the 45-70 is a little cost prohibited at the moment. My rationale if possible would get the rifle chambered in the larger cartridge and shoot .45-70 until I get my reloading operations going. I would use the rifle for target shooting, cowboy long range side matches and North American big game hunting.

 

[rcmodel]

I'd just get a 45-70 and be done with it.

The other calibers are fine I suppose, but are not needed for any purpose that the 45-70 won't do as well. (Other then the "Quigly Coolness Factor")
Especially in a strong action like a Sharps.


Accuracy will suffer & chamber fouling/leading will be a problem if you try to shoot 45-70 in any of the longer chambers.

45-70 brass is widely available and costs about half as much as the 45-90, and about 1/4 as much 45-120 brass.

rcmodel

 

[tlen]

You might find your answer here or in one of the posted links.
http://www.cwis.net/~plewis/
http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

 

[Jim Watson]

It was commonly done 30 years ago, to shoot .45-70s in .45-90 Winchester '86s.
There was no correct brass available and accuracy was adequate for an open sight repeating hunting rifle. I doubt that would extend to a good single shot.

One of our guys got power mad and started rechambering .45-70s to .45-90. Last I heard, he was complaining about the recoil.

The longer the case, the harder it is to get good smokeless loads. Anything over .45-90 is pretty much a black powder round. Which is the way to go anyhow.

I think you would be disappointed to try to buy big and shoot small in a good Sharps repro.
Shiloh, makers of one of the best, just says "Don't do it."

Get a .45-70. You could always trade or rechamber it if you decided you just must have more.

Me?
I shoot a little .38-55, almost exclusively with black powder.

 

[jordan1948]

I was told by my local gunsmith that if I had a 45-120 I could use the 110s, 90s, and 70s in it no problem

 

[ReloaderFred]

I have a .45-120 that was built on a Browning B-78 action with a 24" octagon barrel that's 1" across the flats. It's a heavy rifle. It's also more gun than most people want to shoot, and the brass is very expensive, when you can find it. I made the mistake of buying some Bertram brass for it sometime back and the quality just isn't there. Besides headspace problems, primer pockets blowing out and leaving a hole through the bottom of the case, and split cases right from the factory, I don't get near as many loadings from the surviving cases to justify the expense. I've got a good hoard of RCBS Basic cases, which were made by the old B.E.L.L. company before they sold all their equipment to PMC. That equipment and dies are now owned by Jamison International, in Sturgis, SD.

I don't shoot .45-70, .45-90, .45-100 or .45-110 through my .45-120, due to the problem with chamber fouling. It could be done, since the case headspaces on the rim of the case, but I wouldn't expect great accuracy from it.

For .45-70 shooting, I've got a Marlin 1895 for my hunting gun, and a Marlin 1895 Cowboy for my fun gun.

As mentioned, recoil is "impressive" with the .45-120. I shoot smokeless loads in mine, with ample doses of IMR 4895 under 420 grain cast gas check bullets at just over 2,200 fps, with absolutely no leading, but I use a case filler (Super Grex). There is enough recoil to knock over the tang sight with each shot, and I have to wear a shooting glove on my trigger hand to keep the lever from banging my knuckle so hard it swells up. But dang, I like that rifle!

Hot loaded .45-70's in a light rifle like the Marlin also produces some impressive recoil. Mine took down a Northern Alberta moose with one shot last October (wish I was there now) and that was with a load between mid and high end for the Marlin with a Remington 405 grain soft point bullet at just over 1,800 fps.

My suggestion would be to just buy the .45-70 and load it according to what you want to shoot. It's cheaper that way and the .45-70 is one of the most versatile rounds there is. You can load it light, medium or heavy, and brass and bullets are readily available. There is also ample data from many sources, which makes it an even better choice.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[jamesb]

Thanks, the information has helped a lot. I guess I will go with a 45-70 and then if I want to go up I can trade up since the rifles seem to hold their value pretty well.

 

[MMCSRET]

I have done a little work with the 45-90 and 45-100 and it is very easy to boost performance a little bit depending on what you are looking to reach out and touch. Research "DUPLEX" powder charges. It is very interesting and at the very least it makes cleanup much easier. Paul A. Matthews book "Loading the Black Powder Rifle Cartridge" is a good start. Good shooting!!!!!!!!!

 

[Eric F]

.45-70 can be fired out of a rifle chambered in .45-90.

yes but its not very good for the gun

I was told by my local gunsmith that if I had a 45-120 I could use the 110s, 90s, and 70s in it no problem

2 words: please dont!

Rcmodel has a lot of good information but I feel the need to interject here.

Although the 45 series all head space on the rim there is too much room for error the longer the bullet has to travel to the rifeling the worst the chances of problems.

leading in the chamber would be worse than the fouling. the bullet would wobble a bit and shave off some lead every shot. and with BP loads the chances for a kaboom are there its just a matter of time.