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Thread: Encore Katahdin Carbine 45-70

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Encore Katahdin Carbine 45-70

    I just put a deposit down on a TC Encore Katahdin Carbine in 45-70 so now i'm waiting the mandatory 14 days for the paperwork to come back (although lately they have been 8 weeks).

    While i'm waiting i will be organising dies and a mould (but i may wait until i can get a cerrosafe cast of the throat and bore first).

    I only intend to use low powered cast boolit loads in the rifle.

    Has anyone had any experience with the Encores in 45-70? What moulds and loads have you tried?

    I will be using the stock peep sight initially but i will also look into getting a low power scope so need suggestions on a low power scope that will work well with 45-70 and won't upset the balance and handling of the rifle too much.

  2. #2
    Banned bigted's Avatar
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    I coveted the 45-70 barrel for years for my Encore. Finally landed a new Katiden 45-70 and couldnt wait to shoot it.

    Got it out and with anticipation i shoved a 500 grain RCBS loaded shell into the yawning hole in the breech. Powered with some Unique powder and closed the breech with a fine sounding click.

    I had installed a silver Leopold 3x9 scope and bore sighted it so was pretty sure it would be on paper at 35 yards.

    Thumbing back the adjusted hammer spur and with anticipation i sighted down range ... slipping my trigger finger into the guard ... i settled down for the first of many fun rounds of subsonic 500 grain rounds.

    Well i gotta report that this little light carbine came rite to life as i gently pressed the trigger. First thing that happened was a slight pain on my trigger finger which resulted in a small leaking wound on the knuckle of my trigger finger ... the next realization was a very relieved thought that i narrowly missed getting a scope ring around my eye.

    Yes it came rite to life and with a fairly large group at 35 yds i realized that the heavy 500 grainers would NOT be part of my loaded rounds for this carbine.

    Very light and very easy to swing and carry. I bet the viney maple thickets here in the north west will not give this exelent rifle any trouble. I anticipate some lighter loads doing a bunch better.

    Good luck with your lite blaster. It is a brush gun beyond compare. TARGET GUN? Maybe not but handy hunter for sure.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Well, you asked so I'll tell you. I have owned at least seven or eight different 45-70's over the last ten years. A TC Encore 45-70 was one of them. I shoot nothing but light loads (think Trapdoor light) and find any light load will easily kill every whitetail I shoot with it. Regardless of distance or angle, the 400g bullets I shoot are complete pass-throughs. Now, that being said, I got rid of the 45-70 bbl on my Encore. To say the recoil was abusive is an understatement. The gun is way too light for any load I tried in the gun. Could I use it? Yes, but with no joy what so ever. I find any of my Sharps, High Walls, or 1886 rifles to be quite acceptable with light loads. In fact, I can shoot my High Wall at length at the bench and not walk away shell shocked. The Encore barrel lasted about three weeks and then some other person received the joy of ownership. It shot "good enough", but not as good as my other 45-70s. That was part of the reason I got rid of it. If I were to get another barrel for either of my Encores, it would be an MGM or Bullberry. Scopes? I'd look for a Leupold VX-2 2-7x33 for it (look for 4" of eye relief). I wish you the best of luck with your new gun. Hope you have a good dentist also.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
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    Now I found those problems with the 500S&W the first time I shot it with the 720gr cast! 45-70 with the Gould or my 420 Lee group buy from years ago, at about 1200-1400 fps is a nice shooter. If you don't have one get the Lyman 457122 Gould and have fun.
    Wayne the Shrink

    There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

  5. #5
    Boolit Master



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    13 to 15 grains unique, 300 to 405 grain bullets. Very very low recoil! 1,100fps + Maybe more in your barrel length.
    You can also look on this site for reduced loads, or mouse fart loads!
    Red dot is also good for the 45-70, I haven't worked to much with it in this caliber though.
    Do not know what you have available down in your neck of the world.
    Have fun be safe.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy PaulG67's Avatar
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    I have a TCR87 45-70 and had the same problem. For most people I believe it is too light for the caliber. Like bigted I loaded up a heavy boolit for the first rounds I fired from it and my surprise at the recoil was "HOLY FREAKING FREJOLES BATMAN". Switched to a 350 grain boolit at about 1200/1400 fps and still it hit hard but manageable. I should note I have not shot it in years because work related injuries to my shoulder.
    Paul G


    I am Retired, I was tired yesterday and I am tired today!!!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

    Hamish's Avatar
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    Camo,

    Unique is your friend, and Accurate Molds has designs all the way down to 165 grains.
    More "This is what happened when I,,,,," and less "What would happen if I,,,,"

    Last of the original Group Buy Honcho's.

    "Dueling should have never been made illegal in this country. It settled lots of issues between folks."- Char-Gar

  8. #8
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    unique and 2400(+ tuft of dacron) is your friends.

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    Once saw an ad for a Contender barrel in 45-70, described as “fired and dropped once”. Local gun shop had a new Baby Rolling Block in 45-70, it weighed 4 1/2 pounds. Dealer said he ordered it by mistake and was going to send it back but somebody bought it before he could. Have tried ever since to talk to the guy that bought it to see what he thought of it after firing it

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    My very limited experience with my Katahdyn in 500 S&W magnum, what's burning behind the slug and what that slug weighs, takes mine from, "that's not too bad, to some one call me a doctor!". I'm sure you will have no problem finding a load for that 45-70 that'll make you all smiles!
    Last edited by Thundarstick; 09-16-2018 at 05:47 AM.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    I purchased a .45/70 Katahdin last year. I shoot NOE’s 350gr boolit over enough Varget to hit 1,850 fps. You know when the primer works. Accuracy is good and I took a whitetail doe last year with it. It’s a great gun to carry much and shoot occasionally.

    I put a Leupold 2.5x compact scope on mine. It didn’t mess up the balance and is tough enough to stand up to the “gentle” recoil.

    I believe you’re going to like it.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    TheGrimReaper's Avatar
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    Well, I got a Marlin 1895 and she wears a Nikon 2-7x33 and I really like the scope on her. No problems holding zero.

  13. #13
    Boolit Mold
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    I have a Katahdin in 45/70 with a Leupold 1x4. It can be a hand full but, with the right load it will put a smile on your face. I’ve tried a lot of different powder and bullets and settle with Alliant 2400. I’m casting a rcbs 405gr. And a company call GT bullets 320 gr.gchp bullet. I set mind up for a short range 100 yards is a long shot. I found out shooting from the bench you have to hang on tight. Keep your loads let your shooting a trap door and you’ll have a blast.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    In my short Marlin guide gun I shoot a Ranch Dog 300 grain, TL GC FP atop a moderate load of 2400 and a dacron puff. Nice light load and for me the dacron puff cuts the group size YMMV. I also shoot the 457122 Gould HP, but I have to Beagle the mold to get it big enough to size to .459. GF

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

    Moonie's Avatar
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    I have a 500 S&W 15" pistol barrel with scope and a 20" 460 S&W. I might have to get a 45-70 20" to go along with them. I always wanted a 45-70 pistol barrel when I had a 'tender. I have a co-worker with a new color case hardened Henry 45-70. Beautiful rifle.

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks for the replies so far.
    I have a lifetime supply of 2400, actually an 8lb keg but that will last me my lifetime.
    I also have Plenty of Unique and Trail Boss.

    I ordered a 315gn Mould from NOE in last week's sale.

    I had a look through the Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20 scope yesterday. It will probably be good fit. Eye relief was generous.

    This should be fun.

  17. #17
    Banned bigted's Avatar
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    Do keep us updated on your progress. I have not taken time to develop a load for my 45-70 yet. I really like the handy length and balance of mine. I have toyed with the idea of lining it back to 45 Colt. This should be generous powder cap with 300 to 350 grain .454's and yet be very useful. Shame TC do not make a dedicated 45 Colt barrel for the hunter.

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
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    Trapdoor level loads are a breeze. Lever loads hurt. River level loads really, really hurt. I have the Encore and have the scars to prove it

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    I have a set of laminated wood stocks for mine it adds some weight. I also am a huge fan of Unique for reloading the 45-70 I have great load with a 460 hammer from Accurate mould it's a nice easy shooting load and will drive through an engine block. So the gun can be as comfortable as you want to load it to. The Barrel is really accurate and I enjoy mine allot. Full house high level loads have been off the table for me, sure I can handle them but why?

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
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    I probably won't be shooting mine anytime soon. My Ecore is now wearing my 25 Krag AI barrel and fireforming brass.
    Wayne the Shrink

    There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check