45-70 'Tender loads

[rjw1911]

Anybody shooting a 45-70 T/C Contender? I don't have a mold yet, and am looking for suggestions on what bullet to cast, and loads for it. My 'Tender "hand cannon" has a 10" ported SSK barrel with open sights.

[propwashp47]

you can start with 405 gr and 22-24 gr of 2400 .makes for easy fun shooting all day long.

[3leggedturtle]

I had a 17" 45/70 barrel. I shot 305gr and 350gr boolits at 1100fps using both HS7 and Unique. They were more than enough for a 5lb carbine, for me anyways.

[dougader]

I know a guy who started working up loads for his T/C carbine and he split the stock quite a ways before he got to a "max" trapdoor load.

I'd be big on mild loads if it were me... but then I have glass wrists now.

[John Boy]

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/shooterstext.html ... scroll to the bottom for loading data
As for the mold, presume 50-100yds will be you maximum distance. So buy the Lee 405 HB ... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/363401/lee-1-cavity-bullet-mold-459-405-hb-45-70-government-459-diameter-405-grain-flat-nose-hollow-base

[Smoke4320]

I shoot a 14" TC Pistol in 45-70 .. 35 grns H4198 ..IIRC approx. 1500 FPS
will tell you the RCBS 300 Gr FN Pc'ed and sized .4595 works quite well in mine.. shoot 200 yd gongs a lot with it

[TCLouis]

3leggedturtle

What loading and boolit with HS-7?

PM if you do not want to openly post load data.

1100 is my target velocity also.

[TXGunNut]

Sounds like fun. I have a 350 grn boolit that I'd use in your shoes, a light load of 2400 or 296 sounds like a good starting point. A few of my shooting buddies that all shoot Contenders once contemplated buying a 45-70 bbl as a co-op, none of us figured we'd shoot it more that a few times, lol. My 14" ported 35 Rem bbl dishes out all the abuse I need but I've always wanted a 45-70, if only for a little while. ;-)

[3leggedturtle]

TCLouis, sent you a PM also. I have used a few loads from this site http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm 3leg

[Kitika]

I use 14gr of unique under a 350gr in my BFR. My max range is 100m shooting metallic silhouette using a more powerful load and the targets get bent wickedly out of shape so I'm kinda stuck shooting 'pistol' loads for now.

[CDFingers]

1100 fps for a 350 gr boolit is very pleasant.

CDFingers

[Tackleberry41]

I have been loading 500gr cast in my 45-70 with 12.5gr of solo 1000 under them. Almost comical to shoot compared to full power loads. Work really well in the chamber inserts with my 577/450 martini.

[jhalcott]

What ever you decide on remember the Contender frame is about the same strength as the old Trapdoor. It can be stretched way before pressure signs show up. I have used bullets from 300 to 500 grains in mine and get lots of fun watching the boolits fly down range. I've had three 45-70 barrels over the years. NONE seemed to like the same loads.

[HeavyMetal]

I've been shooting Lymans 457122 HP fun to cast plain base so no hassle with GC's Nice shooter sized .459 right now and works well buy it if you can find one.

[nylocmik]

Why would anyone buy a 45-70 Buffalo gun and then load it with Gopher loads? Your trajectories, recoil and all bullet characteristics are totally different than when shooting a more powerful load. If you want less kick, why not buy a smaller caliber? Is it a nostalgia thing?

[725]

There is a very wide range of useful loads for every gun/rifle. Mild to wild, as they say, can be accommodated depending on purpose or desire. If one wants a particular range of performance, it's his business.


Try a roundball .457 pushed into the case over 9 grains of Unique. It's my woodchuck load.