Load data for 45-70 single shot NEF

Brocolt

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guys a buddy asked me to post this for him, he doesn't have internet or computer access.

Load data for 45-70 single shot NEF using a Barnes TSX FB 300gr bullet, Federal GM primer. he's looking at getting his groups smaller and is looking for a starting point.
 
Buy the Barnes book. Then he won't need to buy a computer, AND he'll get some loading references. I'm afraid I wouldn't share data with such a vague history.
Guy wants to shrink his groups but doesn't own a computer or have access to the internet, but also doesn't have existing info on his rifle? Sounds sketchy to me.
 
Are those single shots rated for the hotter loads that the Marlins can handle or are they to only use the Trapdoor loads listed in the books? Or, can they even be stepped up to the loads the Ruger #1 can handle?
 
Are those single shots rated for the hotter loads that the Marlins can handle or are they to only use the Trapdoor loads listed in the books? Or, can they even be stepped up to the loads the Ruger #1 can handle?

AFAIK, you can run to the top of Marlin data no problem with these. I've read of some guys going higher, but a Handi rifle gets pretty brisk with the #2 level loadings.
 
I have to agree with Rookie Wildcat, it just doesn't make sense.
He should know that his 45-70 couldn't care less who made the bullet, 300 grains is 300 grains.
Yet he specifies which primer he wants to use.
 
I don't know that its shady. Just seems to me the guy has those components and doesn't want to use other stuff as it means spending extra money.

I also have a 45-70 handi, and am looking for info. So i would like some info and tips for both cast and jacketed. If people don't want to share on a open forum because of the power level/safety issues of a 45-70....then PM me please.
 
Buy the Barnes book. Then he won't need to buy a computer, AND he'll get some loading references. I'm afraid I wouldn't share data with such a vague history.
Guy wants to shrink his groups but doesn't own a computer or have access to the internet, but also doesn't have existing info on his rifle? Sounds sketchy to me.

Rookie why be an Ass.... buddy lives off the grid in the woods with his family & doesn't have hydro. what's sketchy about that.... He has done well for himself over the years living the pure life with 3 boys... His data book is old & I just gave him a Lyman 47 reload book. He wants to improve his groups with the bullet he's using right now, he said his groups are 2-3" at 100. if he can improve his chances this hunting season then so be it. It's not like a food store is down the road, making his shot count is important to feeding his kids.

H4831 I asked him about what he's using including for bullet & primers just to save time with the post.
 
There is no load that anyone here can post, that will come with a guarantee to be accurate in his rifle. They can make suggestions, but sometimes you just gotta shoot until you find the right combo.
 
2 or 3 inch groups out of a Handi rifle in the old .45-70 Government is not bad. My Handi Rifle does about the same and I consider it good enough. I have it equipped with a Skinner peep and I shoot cast 405 bullets with a max load of Trail Boss powder. I consider my gun to be a 125 yard max rifle and it works. For years I attempted to load the old girl faster and flatter and then I just accepted the fact that Trap Door Cavalry loads will kill just about anything in North America. I have been happy ever since and so has my shoulder.

Darryl
 
Rookie why be an Ass.... buddy lives off the grid in the woods with his family & doesn't have hydro. what's sketchy about that.... He has done well for himself over the years living the pure life with 3 boys... His data book is old & I just gave him a Lyman 47 reload book. He wants to improve his groups with the bullet he's using right now, he said his groups are 2-3" at 100. if he can improve his chances this hunting season then so be it. It's not like a food store is down the road, making his shot count is important to feeding his kids.

H4831 I asked him about what he's using including for bullet & primers just to save time with the post.
Not trying to be an ass. But just look at your original post. No info except that he wants to use a specific bullet and primer and you want load data. He HAS load data! If he is going to continue using the same powder, just changing a primer and bullet, chances are that he won't be successful in shrinking a group that is already 100% capable (accuracy-wise) of knocking down any animal he wants to take. I know, I used an old .303 for 10years that shot a 4" group and downed its share of animals. If he has such experience as you ascribe to him, he would know (and so should you), as H4831 has said, that 300gn is 300gn and you don't need different data just because a bullet has a different manufacturer.
What I find sketchy is the experience levels of both the OP and the "buddy". It is quickly apparent to me that he probably has a 7 lb rifle and a substantial cartridge chambering so felt recoil is going to be higher (2.43 recoil factor) so the rifle will kick a bit, throwing off his group size, something someone of such experience would know. Also, based on the apparent experience of both of you (you gave him a book that is 12 years old, so you have been doing this for at least that long, right? And since his book was older, the logical conclusion is that he has been doing this longer), it should have been apparent that changing the rear sight from the open sight to a peep will shrink the groups and so will the addition of a scope (quite easy since the rifle is already drilled and tapped). You also didn't tell us that he is using a Hi-score dangerous game rifle rest or is he just sighting in off-hand? Have you watched him shoot? Does he have good technique? Does he flinch? Does he follow through? Does he breathe properly? Is he a large man who can soak up that recoil, or a small guy who can only shoot one round a day? Does he maintain his rifle? Does he shoot hot loads for that rifle? Is there any stock damage indicating excessive recoil? Since no amount of cartridge development can fix poor shooting or maintenance techniques, why is this info not provided in your original post?
What I find sketchy is your request for info and your reluctance to let us know all of the proper information. Therefore leaving us to make assumptions and give, what could be, erroneous data when in fact, it is superfluous since he already has it. If that makes me an ass, then so be it. I didn't call you an idiot even though your vague and obtuse original post screams it and your follow up information confirms it since, you should already know this based on your own vast and extensive experience over the past dozen or so years. Anyone loading that long would know the information H4831 gave and would have simply told his friend that and no reason for the post.

thanks,
Ted.
 
...worked up loads for 3 hand-rifles over the years ...can't speak for barnes in a 45-70 but would be good for anything he might need in north america ...i have have worked up several 300 grain hornady loads and cast paper patched 405 grain bullets in each, bench rest and scoped, but never mag primers ...2" group or so ...had good luck with h322 and h4227 (which i had on hand) ...right around 60.0 gr. in the former and 40.0 in the later ...and did 350 gr. hornady rn around 57 gr. using imr 3031 ...but these are anything but light loads, the last chrony-ed at 2100 fps and was not my idea of a plinking round! (and i like to shoot 375 h&h) ;) (500 grain lee cast with 13.5 unique crony-ed at 1290 and is good enough grouping for 100 yard brush hunting but needs to be throated to get that boat to fit!)

best

ps - think i had to use a drop tube with some of them but not compressed...my memory fails me...sorry
 
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Handi and loads: I am into my handi 45-70 originally for $220, and while not the greatest and most precise loader out there...i have been plugging away for 25-30 years. Some great loads, awesome performance, and for me not necessarily first or last...cheaper.

Since i can relate in that i own the exact same rifle.....i dont think either the OP or the "buddy" are at all sketchy. Just chea....frugal like me. It is entirely possible that raising a family and acquiring the gun stretches things financially...who knows maybe those components came with the rifle. I am trying to get my handi shooting well also, and dont want to experiment with hundreds of dollars worth of components/sights on a $220 rifle. I am also looking for a good starting point, looking to pick the brains of guys that have also developed for the handi...such as ...nw mb above...why reinvent the mousetrap....or spend hundreds of dollars trying.

Both the OP and Rookie wildcat are out of line in calling each others sketchy and asses....perhaps reading that Mods post from last week on manners and behavior would help.
 
A favorite Handi .45/70 load is 50 grains of H4198 under a Hornady 325 FTX... groups very well and is an excellent deer load.
 
Handi and loads: I am into my handi 45-70 originally for $220, and while not the greatest and most precise loader out there...i have been plugging away for 25-30 years. Some great loads, awesome performance, and for me not necessarily first or last...cheaper.

Since i can relate in that i own the exact same rifle.....i dont think either the OP or the "buddy" are at all sketchy. Just chea....frugal like me. It is entirely possible that raising a family and acquiring the gun stretches things financially...who knows maybe those components came with the rifle. I am trying to get my handi shooting well also, and dont want to experiment with hundreds of dollars worth of components/sights on a $220 rifle. I am also looking for a good starting point, looking to pick the brains of guys that have also developed for the handi...such as ...nw mb above...why reinvent the mousetrap....or spend hundreds of dollars trying.

Both the OP and Rookie wildcat are out of line in calling each others sketchy and asses....perhaps reading that Mods post from last week on manners and behavior would help.
Let's set something straight. I didn't call anyone sketchy. I said the posted information was sketchy. People who have apparently been loading for a dozen years should know some basic info. The handi rifle is a 7lb rifle. The .45-70 cartridge kicks harder than the .300WM. Open sights are the least accurate system of sights. An expensive bullet will not compensate for inherent inaccuracies. The .45-70 is not a long range cartridge. A dedicated hunter can easily get within 100yds of an animal. 3" is more than enough accuracy at that range to place a kill shot and that can easily be done with a point blank range of 165yds(+/-). With this info already at your finger-tips, why chase a unicorn?

I guarantee that you will go far looking for anyone more "frugal" than I. My point is, no matter how frugal you are, or even how wealthy you are, you are STILL not going to make an off-the-shelf, stock Handi-rifle shoot like a tack driver without changing parts. That rifle kicks harder than a .300WM so you will always have to contend with that as well as open iron sights.

And frugal would never buy Barnes bullets. I wouldn't even TRADE for them, let alone BUY them! Once gone, I'd have to then buy more. Nope. Not me. Plain Jane cup and core. Not a chance! Maybe that's what the OP's buddy did, though. I also applaud his ability to live such a simple, work-driven lifestyle.

I tried for for years to make milsurp rifles shoot like hunting rifles. Couldn't do it! But 3" groups sure brought down lots of game and still does from my milsurps when I use them. Then again, I have never used premium bullets until the past 3years and started loading silver tips for my elk hunts.

That being said, people got a right to open their mouth.

Ted
 
I load for a 45/70 with a peep site, it is a mauser, and I have loaded it quite hot. I have never shot a sub 2" group with it, but seeing as it is a brush gun I always thought that pretty good, it kicks fiercely with 500 grain bullets over 1800 fps, I cannot shoot 20 rounds from the bench. It is just over 8 pounds.
 
I load for a 45/70 with a peep site, it is a mauser, and I have loaded it quite hot. I have never shot a sub 2" group with it, but seeing as it is a brush gun I always thought that pretty good, it kicks fiercely with 500 grain bullets over 1800 fps, I cannot shoot 20 rounds from the bench. It is just over 8 pounds.

^^^...this :)

...i always use a sissy bag bench shooting...always...
 
Buy the Barnes book. Then he won't need to buy a computer, AND he'll get some loading references. I'm afraid I wouldn't share data with such a vague history.
Guy wants to shrink his groups but doesn't own a computer or have access to the internet, but also doesn't have existing info on his rifle? Sounds sketchy to me.


Larry the Luddite

Hunt with one of these trapped in the 50s guys, no computer, old dial telephone on his desk, no cellphone.
Think he even got rid of his TV this spring because of too many adds.
He does reload ammo and cast bullets for his 45-70 Guide Gun tho and I gave him 3 of my older manuals (Lee, Speer and a 47th edition Lymans from 15+ yrs ago).
Told him to use them as a rough guideline because powders and other components have changed from almost 20 years ago.
 
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