"WOW" Hornady FTX .458" Bullets in 45-70 Contender Carbine

Camp Cook

Camp Cook

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"WOW" I just had a chance to shoot the Hornady FTX .458" 325gr bullets that I bought from todbartel in Vanderhoof out of my 22" barreled T/C Contender 45-70 carbine and to say that I am happy with their performance so far is an understatement.

Average velocity was 1897fps to 1917fps and the first 3 shots @ 50 yards were 2 1/2" high and made one hole reached out to 100 yards and with my old eyes and only a Vari X 11 1-4X Leupold scope on 4X grouped just over 1 1/2" - 2" max and they were still 2 1/2" high.

Did my normal hold over top of the duplex post dead on the 210 meter gong that normally hits appr 2" high and hit way over the gong aimed 1/2 way between the reticule and the post hit dead on so they definately fly flatter than a flat nose 300gr bullet.

Thinking I need a higher magnification 2.5- 8X Boone & Crocket or 2-7 Compact LR reticule scope to take advantage of the flatter tragectory should be able to pop deer this fall out to 300 yards... :D


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are these a soft plastic nose bullet like the Hornady factory ammo.....the acronym for which escapes me at the moment...?

I may have to try them in my Guide Gun...

as for optics...I once ran a 2.5-8X Leupy on a #1 in 45-70 and thought it was quite alright on there....a 3-9X would not be ouf of place on the Contender 45-70 IMHO....I wouldn't hesitate to run a 4-12X...lots of guys run fixed 4X's on 45-70's...I think the lower end is more imortant than the top end magnification...and 4X's seem to work fine for a lot of guys on Marlins...
 
Yes the FTX are the same bullets that are loaded in the Hornady Leverlution ammo.

I actually have no interest in using them in my 1895GS 45-70 I bought them specifically for my Contender carbine.

If you do try them in your 45-70 guide gun make sure you read up on case lengths the case needs to be a bit shorter then standard loadings.

I do not have to worry about this in my Contender though.


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Camp Cook said:
The only powder I now use in my 45-70's from 250gr to 550gr bullets is H322 with Win LR primers.
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Thanks for the tip CC....over the years I've used many pounds of H322 in my 17 Rem or 222 and 223, but it seems like I usually pick RL7 or 3031 when I've loaded 45-70. Certainly going to try it. :)
 
Kevan said:
Thanks for the tip CC....over the years I've used many pounds of H322 in my 17 Rem or 222 and 223, but it seems like I usually pick RL7 or 3031 when I've loaded 45-70. Certainly going to try it. :)
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RL-7 is certainly an old time favorite with 45-70 lovers (and it is one of my favorites, but it isn't temperature insensitive), but don't rule out H4198 with 300 to 350-grainers. It's one of the best that now comes from Australia and is very temp. stable. Also, AA2015 is one of the best and temperature stable. H4895 and H335 are temperature resistent also and work very well with the heavier bullets. H335 is the best where case capacity is a concern being a ball powder. IMR 3031 has been a favorite of old timers but has been surpassed by the others mentioned because it isn't temp insensitive and is a very bulky, coarse-grain powder that makes loading it to max a challenging project. Just some experiences that come from a few decades of loading 45-70's in Marlins, Rugers and NEF's.

It's my favorite cartridge and you can read more at: www.bigbores.ca

Bob
 
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