45-70 info

[kevo060654]

I have just aquired a Chiappa 45-70 sharps rifle. I am looking forward to reloading this with moulded bullets,( or should I be saying boolits??) I will be hunting fallow deer wth it, but mainly just target shooting for fun.

I am thinking of using 405gr and 300 gr bullets for this . What do you think? Any suggestions on type of projectile, shape, gas check etc would very helpful. Do you suggest buying cowboy rcbs dies, or is that not necessary.
I will probably use an ADI powder like 2207 or trailboss as I have limuited choice Living in Tasmania, Australia. Any load suggestions??

 

[ArchAngelCD]

2207 is a great choice for the 45-70 IMO because it's on the same burn rate line as H4198 which is what I use with a 405gr LFN bullet. The Cast bullet I'm using is 18 BHN and plain based, no gas check. I'm developing right around 1400 fps from a Trapdoor rifle and getting no leading at all. I highly doubt there's anything in Australia you can't kill with that bullet at that velocity. Trail Boss will only deliver ~1000 fps and I feel that's too slow a velocity to make that bullet effective as a hunting round.

Welcome to the forum...

 

[cpt-t]

kevo060654: You are going to really like this caliber. My Son and I shoot two Petrasolie Sharps (( can`t spell )) and three Marlin`s in 45-70. We use use them to Cow Boy action shoot and we hunt with them to. We use a light load, 35gr`s of IMR 3031 and a 405gr hard cast RNFP bullet. We have never lost any thing we have shoot with this load, most of the time the Pig or Deer or Coyote is laying right where you hit them, and I have never had to look for any thing more than 20 or 30 yards and that is rare. We get about 1250 to 1300 FPS and you can shoot this load all day long. I am getting more recoil sencitivy all the time and I find this very comfortable. We use RCBS reloading dies. You asked for a fun load, and we think this is it. I sure wish I could have hunted and seen your Country. GOOD LUCK TO YOU: ken

 

[jack44]

I just use regular RCBS dies

 

[joecil]

I'm using Lee dies with mine and working up a loads now using Reloader 7 and 300, 350 and 405 gr Oregon Laser Cast bullets. I own a Rossi Rio Grande in 45-70 myself.

 

[kevo060654]

Thank you

Many thanks for your replies gents, I'm really looking forward to the 45-70 journey.

 

[jack44]

It's a fun rifle to shoot and reload for!.

 

[Pete D.]

And then

Kev: Can you get black powder where you are? If so, using it is certainly worth a try. That 405 LFN, over as much FFg BP as you can fit with a little compression and a fiber wad, will make a fine shooting rifle and cartridge.
Pete

 

[dagger dog]

kevo',

If it's home cast it's a "Boolit", if it's jacketed, plated, or store bought it's a bullet.

Lee has a 405 gr, hollow "really cuped" base bullet that is made specifically for the trap door,and is designed to be cast soft for reliable boolit obturation in low pressure trap door rifles.
Stick on wheel weights with a little clip on lead is perfect for the trap door' you won't need a gas check at the designed pressure loads.

If you really want to have fun you have to try the blackpowder loading with the 45-70.

I'm envious, I have only about 1/2 of my 45-70 money right now and have put the cart before the horse as I have already purchased the brass,and soon will have the Lee dies and Lee .457" 45-70 405 gr flat base mold.

I will soon have my H&R Buffalo Classic, I just hope it's in time for the annual North American bison migration