Chiappa 45-70 with 12 inch barrel.

[Donkin]

Anybody have one of these? good, bad,?

I happened to win one, and its in the mail.

Was doing some research on Load Data, and it seems like one can follow the data listed for the contender handgun in 45-70

I think either way, with the short 12" barrel, its going to produce a ball of flame.

Would be keen to hear from others that have shot 45-70 in short barreled rifles / handguns

Cheers
Donkin

 

[alpining]

Interesting topic. Sounds like a fun toy, congrats!

I have never had one, myself, but a 12" lever in 45LC was bad enough! Handling is kind of goofy when you make a lever gun that short, but some guys like it. The sight radius is verrrrrrry short (like a big revolver). You could probably fit a receiver aperture sight though. Or make a tactical lever abomination...

Reloading using a pistol powder (and a fast one at that!) should help with the muzzle blast. Of course, downloading to trapdoor rifle levels will help, too.

 

[AfroCowboy]

Sounds epic! 45-70 doesn’t need a ton of barrel length to get top velocities.

This will be rowdy. If you roll your own there are plenty of recipes for 45-70 especially in the trapdoor and leveled action ranges. see Hodgdon.

 

[Donkin]

Sounds epic! 45-70 doesn’t need a ton of barrel length to get top velocities.

This will be rowdy. If you roll your own there are plenty of recipes for 45-70 especially in the trapdoor and leveled action ranges. see Hodgdon.

I have no doubt it will be a beast. looking forward to rolling some of my own for it.

 

[Donkin]

Interesting topic. Sounds like a fun toy, congrats!

I have never had one, myself, but a 12" lever in 45LC was bad enough! Handling is kind of goofy when you make a lever gun that short, but some guys like it. The sight radius is verrrrrrry short (like a big revolver). You could probably fit a receiver aperture sight though. Or make a tactical lever abomination...

Reloading using a pistol powder (and a fast one at that!) should help with the muzzle blast. Of course, downloading to trapdoor rifle levels will help, too.

I'm looking forward to shooting it, it should be a blast. I'll start off using some load data I found for contender pistols.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I'm looking forward to shooting it, it should be a blast. I'll start off using some load data I found for contender pistols.

That's the smartest course of action. Hodgdon lists loads with a 16" barrel that will likely be a lot more relevant than the loads Nosler lists with a 24" tube!

 

[buck knife]

I've only fired one belonging to someone else at the range,it was ok to shoot with remington 45/70 405 grain .Then I fired a couple of Buffalo bore rounds he had and decided that was enough lol snappy little thing with the Buffalo bore rounds it lifted the barrel quite a bit.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

That's the smartest course of action. Hodgdon lists loads with a 16" barrel that will likely be a lot more relevant than the loads Nosler lists with a 24" tube!

Another possible info concept to consider are the three listed categories of 45-70 load possibilities as listed in the likes of the Lyman 49th Edition manual. Loads for the;
-1873 Springfield
-1886 Winchester & 1895 Marlin
-Ruger No. 1 & No. 3
Which reminds me, I have some load work & testing to do with a couple of my fairly recent 45-70 acquisitions. A Marlin 1895 GBL, and to keep it company, a Magnum Research BFR.

 

[Donkin]

Well, here it is.

Sure is a beast, 8.26lb unloaded. will hopefully get it out next week.

Next to my Marlin SBL

 

[Jay]

A good friend has one & I shot it at the range. It's AWESOME!!! His iron sights are dead on & he's going to put a Romeo5 red dot on it.

Well, here it is.

8.26lb unloaded.

View attachment 667474View attachment 667475

 

[Arctic87]

I've only fired one belonging to someone else at the range,it was ok to shoot with remington 45/70 405 grain .Then I fired a couple of Buffalo bore rounds he had and decided that was enough lol snappy little thing with the Buffalo bore rounds it lifted the barrel quite a bit.

Those HSM bear loads are no joke!!!

 

[Donkin]

Eventually got to the range , produces a fireball of note

 

[Jay]

Epic!

 

[rajczak_kashka]

Very cool! I was looking to add one to my collection too

 

[Smitticus]

How’d it handle/perform at the range. Looking into one as well. Would be a great little camp gun while moose hunting out in the bush.

 

[Donkin]

How’d it handle/perform at the range. Looking into one as well. Would be a great little camp gun while moose hunting out in the bush.

Its awesome, I landed up installing a spearhead machine muzzle brake on it, and it shoots like a dream.

 

[bernieg]

I'd like one of those but with a 20 inch barrel!