45/70 Shot Shells

Logan_Lamothe

Logan_Lamothe

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Big River, Sask
I am bored and looking to expirement.

I have heard of using 410 shells in a 45/70 and making 45/70 shot shells. I want to try making some, 45/70 shot shells, for grouse, rabbits, and gophers. Has anyone tried this out, what size of shot, type of wad and powder load did you use?

I have powder but can't find any shot, #6, #7.5 or 410 wads.
 
My guess is it doesn't matter. Just pick a standard load and use it(one that will fit in the casing). The 45/70 is rated for far higher pressures than any shotgun could produce so it's rather safe by comparison.

I'm also thinking that to hold it all in you would have to use a plastic wedge or something...maybe a gas check would fit tight enough to hold it all in? Or wax...but that will cause gumming of your gun and have to be cleaned eventually I believe. Or possibly patch the shot when putting it in the shell.

That being said in a rifled barrel the shot will spread worse than the cylinder choke it is.
 
You can buy a set of hole punches a hardware store, there is usually a size that is close enough to make your own cardboard wads. Thats what I did for a friend who wanted to try it. I can't remember the powder charge, but we used a milk carton wad over the powder and another on top to hold the shot in.
 
I have tried to make the load in a brass 4570 case and have had no luck. If you have a marlin lever you could use the standard 2 1/2" 410 shell.

Keith
 
I am playing around with some loads in my Guide Gun. I have had ZERO luck with the 7.5 shot. #4 seems to stay together fairly well at 15 yards or so (I doubt you'll get much better out of a rifled barrel).

I use a copper gas check over 12gr of Unique, a 3" 410 wad (needs to be trimmed a bit), fill up the case with #4 lead shot, top it with another gas check, crimp the case and seal it with white/household glue.

They take a while to put together and the true 'test' will be this Fall for grouse.;) Should be fun.


James
 
Shot shells in a rifle is more of a gimmick than anything else. When we think we have nothing else left to try, or experiment with, we can always try shot shells.
 
I've cannabalized some .410 shotshells to make 45-70 shot loads. Really dirty in the bore but they work fine. Cut the last 1/8 inch off the tip of a .410 shell and save the shot. Pull out the wad carefully with the hull right side up and pour the shotshell powder into the primed 45-70 case. Wrap a few wraps of masking tape around the wad until it slides into the 45-70case with a slight drag. Pour in the shot you saved from the shotshell. Now, find some thin flexible plastic (clear windshiled washer jug works well) and take a spent (empty) chamfered 45-70 case and twist the opening of the case against the plastic to leave a circle indent. Cut out the plastic circle with scissors and place over the shot. If there is enough room, seal the plastic circle to the inner rim of the case with a very slight film of epoxy or wood glue and let dry. If there is not enough room for the glue, simply crimp the case mouth (with your taper crimp die) to keep the plastic from falling out. Note: these will not feed properly in a tube mag. Single feed only.
 
If you go to any gun shows in your area, you will see a fellow there that has some very nice high end, engraved double rifles.

He also has bags of shot, wads and shell casings.

He has every calibre wad, card etc you can imagine. Even for some of the exotic stuff.

I was quite surprised, how many solid cartridge cases share dimensions with shot cases.

I picked up a bunch of 20 gauge and 410 full length brass cases. The 410 cases are a bit small for the 45/70 chamber but if you're just going to reload 45/70 cases with .410 wads and cards, all should be well.

Interestingly enough, the 20 guage cases are within a couple of thou of the 577 Snider and 577/450 base dimensions and can be easily formed to duplicate them.

They are less than a third the cost of repro cases marked with appropriate cartridge nomenclature.

Yes, I know that the case walls aren't as heavy but at the lower pressures, they will do very nicely.

I wish I could remember the fellow's name, he is a nice guy and willing to help as much as he can.
 
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