The Elmer Keith "Pumpkin Roller" 45-70

[GoodOlBoy]

Heck of an interesting read for those obsessed with the 45-70 like I am.

http://www.elmerkeithshoot.org/AmericanRifleman/KeithPumpkin.pdf

GoodOlBoy

[tdoyka]

i might be a true 444 fan, but that was an interesting read!!!

[RPRNY]

Thanks for sharing. Nice piece. Interesting to hear Keith extolling "the old 45-70" in the days when O'Connor was shilling for the 270!

[Hickok]

If it needs killing, the 45/70 can do it!

[Screwbolts]

Sometime back some, a kind member here posted a link to a Site that had archived all of Elmer's articles, I lost the link in a recent computer crash, could anyone re post it. I thinks they's are all great reads, thanks fer posting. :-)

Ken

[kens]

What about all the different black powder substitutes in this loading?
Has anyone experience with it?

[rhead]

Sometime back some, a kind member here posted a link to a Site that had archived all of Elmer's articles, I lost the link in a recent computer crash, could anyone re post it. I thinks they's are all great reads, thanks fer posting. :-)

Ken


If this is not the site you meant you can stay occupied until someon else finds the correct one.


http://www.elmerkeithshoot.org/GA/

Hope you enjoy the read.

[Doc Highwall]

Years ago Frank DeHaas wrote a good article about the 444 Marlin and his consensus was the rifling twist was not fast enough to stabilize a bullet greater than 300 grains. As also have been mentioned the first bullets loaded for it were 44 mag pistol bullets that were too fragile at 444 Marlin velocities. Hornady then made a 265 grain bullet with a heavier jacket to withstand the higher velocities and was loaded by Remington in their factory ammo. The end result was until Marlin made the 444 with a faster twist barrel the gun would not be able to shoot a bullet heavier than 300 grains.

This is why I chose the 45/70 over the 444 Marlin, Jacketed bullets from 300 grains to over 400 grains that would feed through a lever action, and cast bullets from 150 grains to over 500 grains.

[tdoyka]

Years ago Frank DeHaas wrote a good article about the 444 Marlin and his consensus was the rifling twist was not fast enough to stabilize a bullet greater than 300 grains. As also have been mentioned the first bullets loaded for it were 44 mag pistol bullets that were too fragile at 444 Marlin velocities. Hornady then made a 265 grain bullet with a heavier jacket to withstand the higher velocities and was loaded by Remington in their factory ammo. The end result was until Marlin made the 444 with a faster twist barrel the gun would not be able to shoot a bullet heavier than 300 grains.

This is why I chose the 45/70 over the 444 Marlin, Jacketed bullets from 300 grains to over 400 grains that would feed through a lever action, and cast bullets from 150 grains to over 500 grains.

in my 444 a 1 in 20" twist rate(tc encore with a mgm heavy factory barrel) can do a 425gr cast bullet. i haven't tried yet. most people who cast their own, regularly do up to 350gr(1 in 38" twist) from their marlins.

[StrawHat]

Interesting to see that Elmer was able to load 85 grains of Fg in his cases. I have been told that my load of 72 grains is "impossible" to load in the 45-70 case.

[GoodOlBoy]

Also remember that Elmer was often using balloon head cases, AND he was sometimes known to cut overlength brass long to be able to create some of his loads. Plus a drop tube will help pack it in there.... still need to get me one of those...

GoodOlBoy

[Screwbolts]

Rhead, thank you, I hope all have bookmarked it.

Ken