Contender 45-70

[NSP64]

Any favorite booits and loads for this beast. I latched on to a super 14 with brake installed.

[Dale53]

I have limited experience with the 45/70 in a Contender (a friend had one). The lighter weight bullets dramatically reduced the recoil. Best was a 300-350 gr bullet.

I would limit my loads to trapdoor power and powder charges. The TC is chambered for a number of cartridges that use higher pressures. However, the large case size greatly increases back thrust on the cartridge and can damage your Contender (a number of Contender frames were stretched beyond repair).

On the other hand, Trap Door level loads will work well and you should have NO problems with the Contender. Frankly, recoil would limit me to Trapdoor level loads even if potential gun damage didn't.

Trapdoor level loads should give you all you need in a handgun.

Have fun!
Dale53

[DragoonDrake]

NOE's 460-350 shoots well out of my with Varget powder (48gr IIRC).
I have also gone the other route and shot LEE's C459-500-F with a large does of Varget for a steel match competition. I will not post the charge as I don't think it is something everybody should shoot and I will not be reloading agian. I plan on using 44grs in the future though.

[Johnch]

10 - 11 gr of Unique aand a 350 gr cast plain base boolit
Is my plinking load

Not home , so I can't give you my hunting load
But RX7 and a RCBS 300 gr GC Boolit ( pure lead nose ) .......I loaded almost exactly the middle between Max and Min for a Marlin load

John

[Groo]

Groo here
First, who made your barrel, how long is the freebore ..
If the barrel is an SSK there are some special loadings..
If a TC check with TC..
The 45-70 from a TC contender can be so accurate you would think that
there is radar in the bullet , or so bad it looks like a shotgun [ usually with bad cast bullets]

[44man]

Contender= PAIN and recoil plus cracked heads. That grip was not designed for humans! :bigsmyl2:

[subsonic]

Contender= PAIN and recoil plus cracked heads. That grip was not designed for humans! :bigsmyl2:

The contender I just sold had the wood grip with the rubber insert. If you don't have this grip on yours, try it. I always found it easy to shoot with anything mounted on it. .357 MAX, 7-30 Waters, .30 Herrett, .35 Remington, and even the 16" .45-70 with old-timely blackpowder-level loads was more fun to shoot as a pistol than as a rifle.

[Groo]

Groo here
The most accurate load I had was a 500 gr Hornity sp at about 1300 fps.
Kicks hard but 3 shots touching at 100 benched.
PS. hard on optics to.
PPS SSK Barrel

[pls1911]

Mid range loads with RL-7 pushing RCBS 300 grain GC or Ranch Dog 350garin GC provide a tight , touching loverleaf at 50 yeard with stock open sights. However, even with the great Pachmeyer grips and firm hold, you middle finger will make you quit befor you pull the trigger the 6th time. this load will POUND pigs with more authority than necessary, but it's fun....