Lever Action vs Trap Door

[KnotRight]

When looking at loading data for a Lever action and the bottom of the scale for a bullet and then looking at the data for a trap door rifle there is about 10% difference.


Any reason not to use the trap door data in the lever?

[Wolfer]

Nope. It will be fine.

[KnotRight]

Wolfer I shot my gun today for the first time and only had jacketed bullets. I used the bottom of the scale for Nosler Ballistic tip 300 grn and Hornady 350 FP bullets. The Nosler was at 2100+ f/sec and the Hornady was at 1700 f/sec. Shot a total of 7 rounds and put away the rifle.

Was looking to get some 405 grn lead around 1500 f/sec.

Going to highjack my own thread with this question.

I did not shoot much rifle growing up and what I did was limited to 30 caliber or less. Now I have a few 30 calibers and some 22 calibers rifles. With the loads that I listed above kick as much as some of the other larger caliber rounds. Would you consider them mild for the 45-70? If they are, I do not want any part of a larger bullet. I have only shot a 45-70 one other time back in 1974 and it was black powder.

[Geezer in NH]

Both loads IMHO are rip-snorters and recoil will be there.

[runfiverun]

1700 for a 350 ain't all that fast I would however re-look at the data for a trap-door.
I shoot 435's in my 86 browning at 1600 fps and the recoil is fairly stout with the crescent steel plate.
I could go up some without calling it painful for sure as a hunting load. [doubt I'd ever need more than that even for an elk or moose]

off a bench it's a different story 2-3 is more than enough.

[Mk42gunner]

Considering the quoted speed of factory 300's from Remington and Winchester is 1810 and 1880 fps respectively, I would say your load was at the very least on the warm side. Not necessarily dangerous, but more recoil than it sounds like you want to deal with on a daily basis.

.45-70's can be fun to shoot, or they can be a real pain in the shoulder; it all depends on how capable your rifle is and how you load it.there is absolutely nothing wrong with shooting trapdoor level loads through a Marlin 1895 or even a No.1 Ruger. There are lots of things wrong with doing it the other way around though.

Robert

[Wayne Smith]

Recoil - my first experience with a Trapdoor was with 70gr BP compressed and the 457125 boolit (520gr). After shooting about five shots I quit and ordered a PAST pad -my first! I was at the range with it one day and the guy shooting next to me had a Barrett single shot. After seeing my clouds of smoke he wanted to trade a few shots. After shooting the Trapdoor twice he wanted his back! So much for BP having a push - maybe in pistol cartridges or shotgun, but that 45-70 with a big boolit and steel buttplate kicks!

[wrench man]

Push the 350grfp up to 2100fps and you'll feel the RECOIL!

[EDK]

Do a search for gmdr here and find some more civilized loads. I need to get busy, but my last 45/70 loads were a 350 grain plain base boolit with a lower end load. I was using my 1895 COWBOY, but have acquired a GUIDE GUN.
Hot loads in a 45/70 are like hot loads in a 44 magnum pistol. Your hands and arms will appreciate a little moderation on the powder charge.

[blikseme300]

My 2c is that alternate powder choices affect felt recoil a lot. I prefer slower powders for heavy CB's even though the powder cost per load may be higher as I can shoot more per session with better accuracy as a flinch can develop and ruin the pleasure of accurate shooting, IMHO.

[Geezer in NH]

Years ago when I was young and dumb I loaded a 400 grain Speer j-word in the 45-70. I could hold my 1895 Marlin at 1750 FPS but at 1800 I could not hold the forend no matter how I tried.

I was not afraid of the recoil then as plinking with a 458 mag with 500 grain Solids was fun. Most shots were at charging appliances at the dump before the rat's came out to feed.

Shows my age huh?

I found I did not need j-words or speed with the 47-70 for what ever I shot at as I gave up on Africa long ago.

[44MAG#1]

When I owned a Marlin GG and a regular Marlin 22 incher my load was a 550 gr bullet at 1500 from the 22 inch gun. While there was recoil I really didn't find it objectionable. But I didn't make a whole day at the range shooting that load either.
2100 with a 300 gr bullet shouldn't be bad enough to bother most that is even slightly accustomed to recoil much above the 30-06 in a sporter rifle.
Both of mine were box-stock rifles and they shot that load well.

[geezer56]

I shoot the top end trapdoor loads in both my 45-70's. One is an old H&R Shikari, it has the silver soldered lug on the barrel and trap door is all it is rated for. I tried some of the Ruger level loads in the Encore. ONCE!! and never again. It was much worse even than the Encore in 416 Rigby.

[KnotRight]

I pulled apart 17 rounds that I loaded with Hornady FPs that kicked like a mule. The Hornady manual stated the first loads were 1700 f/sec and I reloaded them at 1500 f/sec. I was using RL-7 powder. This load came from the Marlin 1895 section. I got in some Missouri 405 coated SWC that I did load with Trap Door data. I think it was IMR 3031 and the load data stated at (Lyman Cast Manual) 1130ish F/sec. Did 10 at that load and 10 at 1200 f/sec.

[BAGTIC]

More likely the difference in felt recoil was due to the differences in gun weight, stock design, and butt.