Loading .45-70

[MDW GUNS]

The .45-70 requires a .458 bullet.
Now I have some .451 left and wonder if that would still work or is that getting too dangerus?
I am loading those for a Marlin Level Action Guide Gun rifle.

 

[K3]

Accuracy might be a bit iffy.

 

[MDW GUNS]

Since those would be range rounds (30-50 yards) for "plinking" I would be not that worried about accuracy.
I am worried if they might get stuck and produce this way an overpressure!

 

[ReloaderFred]

Your .451" diameter bullets will rattle down the barrel and provide no accuracy whatsoever. Marlin barrels have a tendency to run on the large side, anyway, and using a bullet that's .007" too small to start with wouldn't be worth the effort and a waste of good .45 acp bullets. You would also have to excessively crimp the bullets into place in the .45-70 case, just to keep them from falling into the case.

A better option would be to buy some bulk bullets and load them for use in the .45-70, or maybe cast bullets. I cast a couple different bullets for my .45-70's and I consider that a much better option.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rcmodel]

They won't get stuck, but they might fall out on the ground!

They are so far under-sized, case neck tension will not keep them in place if you load them with standard 45-70 dies.

Even an excessive amount of crimp may not either, and that would surely shorten your case life considerably.

rcmodel

 

[Asherdan]

The other guys have pretty much covered why this is basically a poor idea.

Treat your 1895G right and feed it some .459 or even better some .460 cast.

 

[buttrap]

Get some fairly heavy paper and patch the things.

 

[MDW GUNS]

Correct bullets are ordered from Midway.
I don't like lead (too much smoke and too dirty) so the three different kind I ordered are jacketed bullets.
Thanks for all the answers!!

I had those .451 bullets for like 5 years now and got them for .45 Win Mag.
They are 260 grain and a little light for .45-70 anyway.
I guess they will be here for a long time!!