rules for loading lever action cartridges in a single shot rifle?

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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loading into a single shot rifle, like my T/C Encore/Pro Hunter (I've got one of each), you can load for higher pressures and such..

can you share any other rules of thumb can be used to get the most out of your shots?

in this case, the .45-70 and the .358 Win.
 
A lot of manuals have a separate section for modern firearms and specifically say not to be used in older guns.
 
What you are asking for is kind of vague.

To my knowledge, load development for a single shot is no different than for any other manually operated firearm.

I don't think its fair to say that you can load to a higher pressure in a single shot than you can in a level action, because there is as much variation between firearms of a given chambering as there is between ammunition types.

There are some special considerations for lever actions with tubular magazines, and these would obviously not apply to a single shot. My concern would be if you have both a lever action and a single shot in the same calibre, to keep the ammo made for one clearly marked and separated so you don't inadvertently use it in the repeater.

Every manual I have, and have seen, has sections specific to the T/C Encore etc, family.
 
rules of thumb.

Rule 1:
go by the manual.

Rule 2:
when in doubt, go by the manual.

I do agree it's better to be safer than sorry when dealing with possible catastrophic consequences if a mistake is made.
 
As mentioned above always use the manual. However, the Ruger No 1 action is extremely strong (hence why the manuals have it listed separate when loading up 45-70 rounds). The Hornady manuals list 45-70 loads for "trap door rifles", Marlin levers, and Ruger No 1s. That being said a Ruger No 1 is not a break action single shot and I certainly wouldn't push it beyond max book loads without a appropriate caution. The TC Pro Hunters do run all sorts of high pressures cartridges so you may want to use this as a proxy marker for how much pressure that action can safely manage..... Better yet, call TC and ask if you can use published Hornady data for for 45-70 out of a No 1 with your TC. In regards to the 358 Win (as Ganderite stated) they are already loaded to optimal pressures as most of the firearms they have been chambered have actions to withstand those pressures (or higher) such as the Browning BLR and numerous bolt actions. Good luck and be safe.
 
I run the same ammo in my 45-70 Encore as I do in my Marlin SBL. If it can handle the 416 Rigby it'll handle 45-70 no problem.

I load my 45-70 with 405 grain cast/powdercoated bullets and 39 grains of IMR4198....thank God for recoil pads...LOL
 
Tazzy said:
I run the same ammo in my 45-70 Encore as I do in my Marlin SBL. If it can handle the 416 Rigby it'll handle 45-70 no problem.

I load my 45-70 with 405 grain cast/powdercoated bullets and 39 grains of IMR4198....thank God for recoil pads...LOL
Click to expand...

416 Rigby, although potent, doesn't create a terribly high amount of pressure, about 47000 psi. Garrett cartridges limits their 45-70 loads to 35000psi.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/chamberpressure.html
 
No. 1 loads for .45-70 are for about 42,000, which is higher than the recommended lever loads, hence why I mentioned the .358 Win, in case some exception existed for it like there is for the .45-70.
 
The TC is significantly shy of the Ruger No.1 for strength... as you should expect based on the design. Load the TC to standard bolt pressures... with the No.1, you can work up beyond book max, while carefully watching for pressure signs.
 
I would try to find the most accurate load rather than the hottest load.
If you really want more power then you really need a larger cartridge. One that launches a heavier bullet at higher muzzle velocity.
 
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