45-70

Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray

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I understand this is a very old cartridge with a long and storied history. But i'm thinking of getting my feet wet with it for the first time and I'd like to know your experiences with it. What loads do you shoot? Handloads or factory ammo? Smokeless or black powder? What do you shoot it from? And what type of accuracy are you achieving? I'm really curious to hear from experienced shooters of this cartridge. If you have the time and are willing to tell me your history with this cartridge, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you.
 
Only addressing one of your questions but you will find that factory loads are underpowered and expensive. If you dig into any loading manual you will find three different pressure levels listed for weak and stronger actions.

While I am here I enjoy the 300 and 400 grain bullets and IMR 3031 is my preferred powder for this cartridge.
 
You are correct about the long storied history. It was originally black powder, holding 68 grains of powder in a "balloonhead" cartridge. Modern brass cannot hold that much without getting into dangerous levels of powder compression. I load my own using a deep lube grooved 535 grain bullet over 62 grains of 1 1/2 F Swiss Powder. My Rolling Block Rifle loves this load. Modern smokeless rounds do not group as well as the Holy Black in this gun and also pound the heck out of my shoulder.
 
I reload for my double. I use both cast and jacketed over varget. My rifle is regulated for this load
The straight wall case makes it a reloaders dream from 250gr monos to 600gr cast and everything in between
Personal favs are 300gr hornady hollowpoints. 350gr hornady round nose. 405gr rem bulk. 400gr woodliegh ppsn and 500gr woodliegh round nose


The rem factory express 405gr soft jacketed at 1300fps will work on anything you wish to hunt
 
ipscgraz said:
Only addressing one of your questions but you will find that factory loads are underpowered and expensive. If you dig into any loading manual you will find three different pressure levels listed for weak and stronger actions.

While I am here I enjoy the 300 and 400 grain bullets and IMR 3031 is my preferred powder for this cartridge.
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Because of the old trapdoor actions, factory ammo is enemic/lawyer proofed. Consider it a source for brass.
 
Google up Sandy Hook Tests of 1879. Check out some of Paul Matthews books such as "40 years With the .45-70" or his Black Powder Cartridge Rifle books. Also "Loading Cartridges For The Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine" by a fellow by the name of Wolf (got mine from Buffalo Arms).

These will give you an idea of what is possible as far as BP loads can do.

What kind of rifle do you have or are considering? A falling block action such as a '74 Sharps can handle charges up to 110-120 grains. In the Sandy Hook tests they also tested an 85 gr load using a Trapdoor Springfield rifle so not really sure how high you could jack a load in one. In the end, the U.S. Army adopted a 55 gr load pushing a 405 gr bullet for use in carbines (to reduce recoil) and a 500 gr bullet shoved by 70 gr of powder for the infantry rifle. They determined there was no significant benefit to the 85 gr load so stayed with the existing charge. Personal experience; a .45-70-405 load in a carbine is quite a bear and Elmer Keith said the infantry load in a carbine was very punishing.

Personally I don't exceed 70 gr and often load up 55 as I only need them for short range paper punching. Usually use a paper patch bullet to reduce the possibility of leading. You don't want to try PP in a lever action.

If you go with Black, you'll need to control powder fouling somehow. There are a few tricks such as blow tubes, grease cookies and swabbing.
 
I shoot hornady 325 grain out of my Marlin 1895 SBL. I love this caliber and it is very accurate, I shoot 2moa with it at 100-150 yards.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far guys. As to the firearm I'm considering, it'll likely be and 1895 of one flavor or another. I don't reload as of yet but am planning on getting started later this year. I also don't plan on shooting anything other than smokeless loads in mine. For the few months after I get the rifle, I'll probably just stick to off the shelf ammo and would like something a little more stout than the stuff that's loaded up to trapdoor pressures. A round nose in the 350 grain weight or thereabouts would be nice. Any leads on something of that nature?
 
45-70 is addictive. Get one and they tend to multiply. I tinker with casting as well as reloading. Even use one of those portable Lee loaders for kicks. Something satisfying about bringing some powder, bullets and primers with you to the range and reload your fired brass on site.
Anyway, have at 'er. You won't be disappointed.
 
I have carried a Marlin 45-70 as my main bear rifle for longer than I will admit. Great rifle great caliber. You must reload for it ( there are some very good factory loads) but depending on how much you shoot it can get expensive. Fear nothing on this continent as this is enough gun. Shoot it and have fun.
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Reloading is really the best option and campro is now making 300 and 405 gr copper plated bullets I picked some up from budget shooting supply for $86 for 250 :redface: Store bought factory 45-70 cost like $80 for 20 I picked up my 1895 GSBL on a boxing day sale I have not had a chance to reload and shoot it yet tho been working flat out I can't wait to get out with it
 
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