Who Loads for the 45-70

[Dranrab]

At this point, I am just looking for a quick show of hands from all who handload for the 45-70. Also ring in if you have a 45-70 and a press and want to start loading for the 45-70.

 

[tallwalker]

I load both smokeless and black powder 45-70. Cast bullets as well.

 

[bowhogger]

My brother has one and wants me to start loading for him.

 

[Gator 45/70]

Yo !

 

[Cleburne]

I've done minimal .45-70 reloading in the past for a NEF single shot break-open rifle. What little I've done has been solely with black powder and cast projectiles. I've recently acquired a used Marlin 1895 Cowboy and hope to put it through its paces soon.

I also have a .45-70 barrel for my Thompson/Center Contender. Just haven't had the opportunity to use it yet.

In the past I've shot .45-70 with friends using their original Trapdoor Springfields, Remington Rolling Blocks and a Sharps repro. All I can say is "boy howdy" that round sure whollops steel rams! Even at 200 yards, the plate's surface looked like the moon's cratered surface.

 

[wcweir3]

YO !
+2

 

[Bigchillin83]

I reload, have a single state press, i don't see how people shoot 45-70 factory, that crap is expensive, I can load hard cast 405 grain for around .40 a round and hornady 300gr hp for around .50 a round using my brass.. Compared to factory comming in at $2.00 a round!!!! And I can load them from mild to wild with out much more than a .01 differsance. Compared to if you buy burffalo boar for wild loads for almost $3.00 a round, A fella on bayous shooter who I traded a couple Guns with several times helped me getting started.

 

[Barry J]

I have a Marlin 1895 and a single shot I load for. Had been using 350 grain jacketed bullets, but have switched to 405 grain cast. Haven't shot the cast bullets in the Marlin yet. I also have a Marlin 336 in 30-30. It does not shoot lead bullets. I read somewhere that Marlin's Micro-Grooved barrel does not like lead.

 

[john17427]

I've been loading 45-60 Winchester for few years now, but an 1886 is getting close to the top of my bucket list.

 

[Jmfox3]

I load a jacketed Hornady 325 gr and Lead 405 gr.

 

[Cleburne]

I reload, have a single state press, i don't see how people shoot 45-70 factory, that crap is expensive, I can load hard cast 405 grain for around .40 a round and hornady 300gr hp for around .50 a round using my brass.. Compared to factory comming in at $2.00 a round!!!! And I can load them from mild to wild with out much more than a .01 differsance. Compared to if you buy burffalo boar for wild loads for almost $3.00 a round, A fella on bayous shooter who I traded a couple Guns with several times helped me getting started.

+1 concerning cost. Reloading is the way to go. If I had to buy factory, I'd be limited to shooting my muzzleloaders.

 

[Drummy]

Just getting into reloading and it's one of the calibers I'm planning.

 

[hunter5567]

I load the 45-70 with everything from Hornady 300gr JHP to 405gr hard cast and even some 500gr Solids and JSP.
Currently just loading the Hornady 300gr JHP and 325gr FTX for a Knight KP1 single shot rifle, I've shot 45-70 in different guns including H&R single shot rifles, Marlin lever actions, T/C Contender 16" Carbine and Pistol (OUCH!!) and a T/C Encore pistol (less of an Ouch). You can load your own wild loads with a 300gr bullet to 2400fps or a 400gr bullet at 1900fps.

 

[Barry J]

The pressure on commercially sold ammo is kept low to avoid blowing up someones Trapdoor Springfield. If you reload for a modern firearm, you can load almost to 458 Winchester magnum ballistics.

 

[Doctor481]

I have a Trapdoor Springfield that I do not reload for. Might get shot 2-3 rounds every other year or so.
I do reload for my 458 SOCOM though, lots more ammo through this.

 

[Dranrab]

Here's the deal. I have some Lee Dies, 50 pieces of Winchester Brass, 40 pieces of Remington nickel brass and some Hornady 300 gr bullets. I want to give all of it to someone who needs all of it. I won't ship (I'm too lazy) but would be more than happy to give it to someone. My shoulder needs replacement so I won't ever shoot 45-70 again. I live in Metairie and work in Houma. Ya'll work it out amongst yourselves and let me know who is the winner is. I will meet you somewhere in the Metairie or Houma area.

Paul

 

[Danny Abear]

PM sent

 

[tallwalker]

Sorry to hear about your shoulder. Age catches up with us all at some point. I know a few guys that have replaced shooting large caliber with smallbore and even air rifle competition. They ALL say they don't know why they didn't do that years ago.

Nice gesture. I am sure someone will benefit from your generous offer.

 

[Barry J]

The Hornady Leverlution ammo uses shorter than normal cases. I discard them, since most manuals use regular length brass in their pressure figures.

 

[Dranrab]

I apologize for not attending this thread as I should have. I have had a pretty hectic schedule over the past 3 days. The items are going to the first person that PM'd me. I hope they will see good use. 57 grains of IMR 3031 pushing either a 300 or a 350 grain bullet was insanely accurate in my Guide Gun. It thumps too!