45-70 elk/moose

[stang]

Excuse the slight Hi-Jack but what is a good source of hard cast that won't kill me on shipping to B.C.? I want some hard hitting stuff to max out hunting usability of my 1885.

Dirk

Try Oma bullets at 108 mile ranch

 

[boxhitch]

Hornady 350 RN loaded to a reasonable 1650 fps works for my elk

Excuse the slight Hi-Jack but what is a good source of hard cast that won't kill me on shipping to B.C.? I want some hard hitting stuff to max out hunting usability of my 1885.
Dirk

Bullet Barn and OMA made in BC, Gun Shop in Vernon has them iirc

 

[WhelanLad]

My personal recommendation for a factory load or for bullets to load up would be the 300gr Barnes TSX. The factory Barnes load is around 1900fps. I've been able to push mine over 2200fps.

for a 45-70?? do they even expand? guess no need too but why not run a casty ? tonne cheaper for same effect minus a couple yards

 

[shotgun12G]

Kudu, Gemsbuck and Wildebeast, as well as an Elk all dropped with a 405 gr Remington soft point with no problems!

 

[brybenn]

405 gr remington fnsp at 1600 fps is awesome on bears. Should do fine for moose and elk

 

[Slamfire]

...price on Swifts over there?

About $2 each. Swift bullets GOOD.

 

[broadhead67]

Excuse the slight Hi-Jack but what is a good source of hard cast that won't kill me on shipping to B.C.? I want some hard hitting stuff to max out hunting usability of my 1885.

Dirk

Andy and Lois at the Bullet Barn on the Sunshine Coast , everything from 405 to 525 pile drivers ( they are awesome!)
Ps - anyone doubting the power of a 45/70 is completely unaware of modern firearms.

 

[Slamfire]

Hard cast should do quite nicely - if only I could get consistent results with these. Too many fliers and cornholers with the ones I've tried. Maybe possible hardness issues to the detriment of terminal performance. So I have since dismissed these for hunting. There are other days and more things to try.

The Barnes Buster should be a decent alternative to hard cast. Quite possibly the perfect bullet for lever .45-70 livestock Bison culling.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

I've used the Lyman 325grGCHP, and the Lee 405fp. Never had an issue.
The 405 Lee shoots best from my 1886Win.
Powders that work for me are Rel 7, H4198, Varget, and H4895 in roughly that order.
Some folks like 3031, but it doesn't shine in my rifle.

 

[Potato boy]

Wood Leigh 400 or Barns original 400 in a strong action with 52gr. of H322= 1950fps out of a 22” marlin. That will kill most game found anywhere.

 

[scott_r]

Thanks for all the info guys!!! So pumped to start shooting the 45-70 already am daydreaming about a big elk coming in to the call and shouldering my 45-70 and dropping him in the timber !!!! Cant wait for mid September.

 

[Slamfire]

6x7 Bull Elk dropped with my .45-70. 1 shot DRT at 150 meters.

 

[scott_r]

Great bull Slamfire!!!

 

[Slamfire]

Thanks! And the setting.

 

[Papaclaude]

Bad example. We're talking about ethical hunting, not indiscriminate flock shooting.

For the OP, I would be using a bullet like the Lyman 457193 which drops from my mould at 418 gr. It runs at 1950 fps which will do everything you need.

I have killed several bears (admittedly, none were exceptionally large) with a 45-110 loaded quite mildly, and with a 45 cal. muzzleloader loaded with exactly 70 gr. of fffG, and all were humane kills, only one running about 50 yards before dying. I just bought a H&R Buffalo, and I'm loading it with 777, Pyrodex and Trail Boss, and I certainly look forward to using it on critters.

 

[Warden70]

Barnes 300 gr TSX factory loads, Remington 405 factory loads, and even the HSM factory Bear Load should do the trick. If your shoulder and wallet is up for the challenge and you can find a source, Garrett or Buffalo Bore are options as well.

 

[Papaclaude]

Barnes 300 gr TSX factory loads, Remington 405 factory loads, and even the HSM factory Bear Load should do the trick. If your shoulder and wallet is up for the challenge and you can find a source, Garrett or Buffalo Bore are options as well.

When I did a lot of hunting with BP guns and cartridges, I didn't have all the info I have today, so I favoured heavy, slow-moving, pure lead projectiles. Probably because I had access to a pretty well unlimited source of pure lead (no, I no longer have access to it). It always did an excellent job for me, getting great weight retention and expansion. The low velocities avoided any leading. In the 45-70 and 45-110, I used a 500 gr. gas-check, and in the ML's I used a 250 gr. Maxi.

 

[tinbird]

Find a lead bullet 405-500 grain load that shoots accurately and at the moderate velocities as stated and enjoy the hunt as well as the fine dinners after!

 

[Papaclaude]

Find a lead bullet 405-500 grain load that shoots accurately and at the moderate velocities as stated and enjoy the hunt as well as the fine dinners after!

Another huge plus not mentioned yet about big chunks of slow or moderate moving lead is you destroy very little meat. As old-timers said - you can eat right up to the hole.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Thats zipping along pretty fast, what powder?

Where do you find the moulds for that bullet?

My load uses IMR3031. Got the load from Ken Waters' "pet loads".

I can't remember where I got my mould but you can buy them in all shapes and sizes from Buffalo Arms.