Swiss 1 1/2 and 500gr bullet in 45-70

[Sunkist]

I've been shooting a duplex load and getting 1200fps and good accuracy along with more shots between swabs. Out of curiosity I picked up a pound of the Swiss. Using the same compression settings for my duplex, I got .18" compression on the Swiss, which I hear is right in the ballpark for Swiss. It's a 64 gr. load and before I can get out and chrony it I was wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect for velocity. Will I get to 1200 fps?

[Chill Wills]

I would guess in the 1150-1170- range. Maybe as much as 1200 fps but doubt it.

[Sunkist]

I got to the range and shot 2 different loads at 100 yds.. With 64gr Swiss 1.5 I got MOA and 1260-1267 fps. With 63 gr I was right at my target velocity with 1214-1221 fps. I didn't get the same group size with the 63gr load but they were all on a 5" bull. SD was 4 with extreme spread of 7 ! This powder is amazing stuff..

I used the same bullet, 500 gr./.459, and same compression setting. Starline fire-formed, WLRM primers with a 1/16" veggie wad and a light, bullet holding crimp, at but not on the driving band. I used a 24" drop tube with weighed charges. I shoot the Uberti 1885 with 30" bbl and Pedersoli Universal Long range Vernier w/ the Hadley Disk.

[451 Pete]

Sunkist,
Most of the fellas that are shooting in the long range game or NRA BPCS around here are using the 1 1/2 or 2 fg Swiss and getting the same results. Some of the long range shooters have also gone to duplex loadings ( using strictly black powder ) with a small charge of around 10 grains of 3 fg Swiss dropped first into the case ahead of the larger granulation Swiss powder to fill the case. These charges are getting up to around 1300 fps and leave a cleaner burn or less residue or fouling in the bore.
just my thoughts ... Pete

[Sunkist]

Thanks Pete,
I shoot in matches that reach out a little over 500 yds in northern Minnesota. I'm going to get to a 1000 yds before I'm done and I'll be shooting Swiss 1 1/2 under a 535gr Postell. I put together 10 of them to try out before I make too many more. I'll report on them as soon as I can get out again. They have 65gr in them and I betcha they'll kick like an Indiana mule! That all Black duplex sounds like a potent load. There's a good source of powder near by and I'll be making a run real soon. They're waiting on a shipment right now. I had some barrel fouling but it was nothing like GOEX. The cases came out of the gun looking like I was shooting smokeless.