M305 in 45-70 stage 2 is....getting there....

Max pressure in 7.62 is 50k PSI, .308 is 62k. A.45-70 in Ruger No.1 is 40k PSI
The pressure would be lower than the M14 was designed for. I would start with a lighter jacketed bullet if anything.
 
Okay, I admit...and rarely do I find these little gunsmithing projects interesting....but damn this idea is cool
 
Very cool project. I give you props for trying such a difficult conversion. I'd like to convert one to 375 Rapter, just a 308 necked up to 375. All that would be needed is the new barrel and reamer. Mag, bolt etc wouldn't change. And 375 Rapter works at the same psi as 308. So gas system issues shouldn't be huge.
 
I admit, this is interesting. There is something cool and nostalgic about the .45-70, but its not going to be easy. I applaud your efforts sir!

Gotta ask tho, why not use another cartridge like the 450 Bushmaster, 458 SOCOM or 450 Marlin?

450 Bushmaster & 458 SOCOM

+.308 case head diameter (.473") = no bolt modifications
+ Rimless case, no potential for rim lock
+ No case taper/stacking issues to contend with
- Shorter overall length, less case capacity


450 Marlin

+.528" rim diameter vs. .608" rim diameter of the .45-70
+ Rimless case designed for use in box magazines
+ Slower burning powders maybe a little more conducive to the gas system.

Just my thoughts, good luck tho! Interested to see how this plays out!
 
have a question to all the gun guys and gals that know what they are talking about.
Whats the thinnest you could SAFETY make a 458 barrel? because it would save me a lot of time if i could use the gas system as is.
 
IIRC, when converting a Pattern 14 rifle to .45/70 several decades back, a friend told me that he turned some of the rim off, and feeding was much more reliable. The .45/70 has a very generous rim, so you could remove a good piece of it. Then you might be able to use Lee-Enfield magazines which are much more plentiful.
 
slug said:
IIRC, when converting a Pattern 14 rifle to .45/70 several decades back, a friend told me that he turned some of the rim off, and feeding was much more reliable. The .45/70 has a very generous rim, so you could remove a good piece of it. Then you might be able to use Lee-Enfield magazines which are much more plentiful.
Click to expand...

I was going to use 1885 lee mags but the one I have is inoperable do to heavy rust in the body and the "new" one got seized and destroyed by eBay.
So now I'm using some scrape metal and making a m14 mag single stack like I was originally so I don't have to worried about rim lock too much.
 
I think 45 raptor would be the case for this conversion, uses the action length, gas would be close, might even feed from the mags without much tweaking.
 
rommelrommel said:
I think 45 raptor would be the case for this conversion, uses the action length, gas would be close, might even feed from the mags without much tweaking.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that's a controlled round and can't be exported....I think. I'm almost done the mag tho and just have to redesign the follower for single stack.
 
Stupid question, by why not something like .458 Winchester or .45-70 auto?

The rim in the .45-70 goverent is massive and is bound to give you feeding grief.
 
Cause I like a challenge and want to do somthing that everyone thinks is dumb or useless....like my 8.5 50bmg people said once I took the first shot I'd hate it and 4 boxes in i can't stop.....it does make ill after 6 shots tho.
 
There was a guy on AR detailing his creation of a take-down BLR in .416Ruger; I found that thread/gun very interesting.

This one is irresistible! :)

I'm too lazy to look it up, and it's only somewhat relevant to this thread...but wasn't there a Gibbs rifle co. that at one time was selling Garands converted to .458WinMag?
 
To everyone making suggestions I think its clear hes going 45-70.
We could make argument on pretty much every cartridge out there but hes got the one he wants!

This is an exciting experiment and i look forward to more info/pics/reports and all updates!!
 
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