So I was told today by a guy up at the range that he heard that a 45-70 can be loaded light enough to take grouse and small game. After looking around online I see people have used .457 round balls and what not. Anybody on here know of any ideas? I was hoping to use black powder but if need be I could use smokeless.
Odd 45-70 light load question
- Thread starter cooterdog
- Start date
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I've loaded .457 balls in my 45-70s with as little as 5gr of fffg but you can't get the ball far enough down the case to seat on the powder unless you have 10 or more. They were surprisingly accurate but range is less than a slingshot.
You can also double ball if you like or use the light .457 conicals meant for the Old Army. As long as you don't have a separated load and make sure that everything gets out the end there isn't much you can do with black powder that will be dangerous.
You can also double ball if you like or use the light .457 conicals meant for the Old Army. As long as you don't have a separated load and make sure that everything gets out the end there isn't much you can do with black powder that will be dangerous.
Wonder how some 45 cal pistol rounds would work!
NorthCoastBigBore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northwest BC (Rural) 103-I-##
Thought about it with my Guide Gun (I have a surplus of 300 grain .454") but the pistol round fell through my barrel with no resistance - other models may be tighter though so YMMV!
Guess wadcutters might be out.
- Location
- Central AB
In my 450 marlin, .5 grain of unique, then a carboard wad, and tamped a round ball all the way inside the case, down on top the wad & powder. These shots are essentially silent, and crono at about 250ft / second. Strangely enough they were quite accurate, and were perfect for grouse. I used them for grouse etc, so as to not spook big game when out hunting.
Don't know if this would work in a 45-70 case. And you absolutely have to check to make sure the barrel is clear before shooting another shot. These silent loads are moving slow, and in theory could get stuck in the barrel. Although I've never had it happen, and have shot a bunch of them.
Fun to experiment with.
Don't know if this would work in a 45-70 case. And you absolutely have to check to make sure the barrel is clear before shooting another shot. These silent loads are moving slow, and in theory could get stuck in the barrel. Although I've never had it happen, and have shot a bunch of them.
Fun to experiment with.
.457 round ball packed down might have some advantages. I think I'll have to try low and work my way up slowly.
how was the point of impact compared to your regular loads?
I use reduced loads but not that low. I still want to be able to use the scope.
I'm curious too. But I'll be using a creedmoore. I just hope to pop small game if I decide. How much did you lower yours legiOn?
I'm seeing this round ball info is point on at 25 yards but what charge is still confusing.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
If they are hollow base they should work good. Otherwise most pistol bullets will be 4-8 thou too small.
No they were flat. Guess ill do the round ball and work up a load. Now to get the perfect size round ball.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Does Lyman make them too?
tactical870
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Buckhorn, Ontario
I think Camp Cook worked up a load a while back using Trailboss... I use TB for some subsonic 45 colt loads, but there's a ton of drop.....
I read unique up to 10 grains. .457 ball pushed down on powder with lube applied as seating on ball.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I too have used Trail Boss for reduced 45-70 loads. I used 3-8 grains, play with the load till you get them hitting where you want right left and all you have to remember is the drop. I used cast 405 grain bullets from the bullet Barn as they work in my 45/70 and 460 Weatherby for TB loads. Trail Boss makes VERY low pressure loads. Even a case full produces pressures safe for most old Black Powder guns. That is what is is made to do, perform as a smokeless BP replacement in cowboy shooting etc.
Most on here know but I will post this warning anyhow - If you do reduced loads using BP, remember that you must fill the air gap with wads or push the bullet down into the case till it touches the powder, or a combo of both. You DO NOT want an air gap over BP.
Most on here know but I will post this warning anyhow - If you do reduced loads using BP, remember that you must fill the air gap with wads or push the bullet down into the case till it touches the powder, or a combo of both. You DO NOT want an air gap over BP.
