45-70 Barrel length

[Pathfinder]

Im getting a bolt action 45-70 built up for me and im still not sure about the barrel length ? Im thinking about 20" , would I see much difference in performance with a 22" inch barrel. I believe the twist rate is 1:15 but I have to confirm that.

 

[ben hunchak]

If it were me, I would opt for a 24" or min. 22" barrel and 1-18 twist, the longer barrel will reduce blast effect and recoil and increase velocity. Just my 2 cents.

 

[bronco_mudder]

I have a 26 inch on my P-14 45/70 and I love it. Top power loads with 405 gr bullets have felt recoil comparable to 300 win mags that I've shot. Thats some serious energy coming from that case, considering those loads will nearly reach bottom end 458 win mag specs.

 

[Boomer]

My preference would be towards a short handy outfit, with a moderately heavy barrel to keep the balance between my hands. With heavy loads the added barrel weight will make the rifle more manageable. Your choice should be determined by the type of shooting you intend to do, the type of country you intend to use the rifle in, and your personal preference for how a rifle looks and handles.

If you intend to shoot with irons, a longer sight radius is an advantage, but in heavy cover a long barrel is a nuisance, and in open country a short barrel has little disadvantage. It is unlikely that there would be much difference in muzzle velocity between a 20" and a 24" barrel, which is an advantage low velocity cartridges have over fast ones.

 

[Pathfinder]

thanks for the replies, leaning on 20'' since its mostly for close up bush work.

 

[Bishopus]

Why not a .450 Marlin? It's made to feed from a bolt, same case capacity, same performance.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Why not a .450 Marlin? It's made to feed from a bolt, same case capacity, same performance.

Because it's gonna die.

 

[ben hunchak]

It should die, imagine, trying to take some shine off the 45/70.

 

[Pathfinder]

If you can find or make me a magazine for 450 Marlin than yeah I would think about it. My choices are 45-70 or 45-90. Ill be reloading anyways.

I read somewhere that I can fire 45-70 out of a 45-90 without noticing the difference. BS ?

 

[Boomer]

I read somewhere that I can fire 45-70 out of a 45-90 without noticing the difference. BS ?

Normally straight wall cartridges are not too picky about chamber length, with respect to the use of shorter catridges. The .45-90 is about 0.3" longer than the .45-70, so setting the bullet out a little to reduce the jump might be worthwhile. Both cartridges are tapered, so the longer .45-90 chamber might be large enough to cause concern at the .45-70's case mouth. I would start with conservative loads until you have been able to ensure that the .45-70 brass will not fail when it expands to match the .45-90 chamber. Even if the .45-70 brass does not fail, you might experience short case life due this.

 

[greenshoots]

would be nice to see a pic of the finished rifle....

viv

 

[Pathfinder]

Yeah, Im looking forward to it to having it. End of Summer at the earliest.

 

[Denisb]

45/90 cases

I shoot 45/90 with cases from Buffalo Arms that are stretched 45/70's. This allows me to get 85gr. of FFg plus .030 wad behind my 405HB bullets. I can shoot this load all day in my 26" 1899 Martini

Modern 45/90 cases have thicker walls and will only let you load about 70gr.

 

[kell2784]

I have a 26 inch on my P-14 45/70 and I love it. Top power loads with 405 gr bullets have felt recoil comparable to 300 win mags that I've shot. Thats some serious energy coming from that case, considering those loads will nearly reach bottom end 458 win mag specs.

How does the 45-70 feed from the P14? I imagine it would be very slick and easy? I've been thinking of doing one of these as a project in the near future.
I don't mean to hi-jack.