1885 uberti high wall 45-70 looking for a good heavy long range bullet

[cottonwood]

I was wondering if any body is shooting a Uberti 1885 high wall in 45-70 with any luck with a heavy bullet 490gr on up ??

[Don McDowell]

The Uberti has a 20 in twist, so you'll be best to keep bullets under 500 grs. The Saeco 645 works quite well to 1000 yds in most 45-70's.

[cottonwood]

Thank you Don. I did know about the twist and problem with long bullets. I did cast a few with a lyman 457677av 490gr mold, but folks at the range thought they could hear them tumble. We do shoot out to 1000 yards so was looking for suggestions . Thanks again !

[brad925]

If you know someone with a 535 Lyman postell give them a try. I have the same rifle and shoot everything from a 405 lee HB bullet up to the Lyman 535 with both BP and IMR 3031 with excellent accuracy. The only bullet it didn't like was a jacketed 300gr HP.

[Don McDowell]

Cottonwood, I think that lyman bullet that you mentioned can get in trouble in even fairly slight winds. We haven't had that problem with that 645 yet.

[cottonwood]

Thanks guys !! I will look into both the 645 and the 535. Need to find a good bullet/load for the Quigley. Been shooting a 38-55 for several years, but want to try the 45-70 this year.

[Don McDowell]

You can test drive your bullet and load at Alliance Ne. the first weekend in May.. that'll give you a good idea if things will work at the Quigley.

[Good Cheer]

My brother uses a 500 grain swaged soft lead spire point paper patched in his 1885 (shown below side by side with the 38 Long Cox).
His groups are often approximately one caliber in center to center diameter, nothing walks away when hunting and I kid him about getting shaken baby syndrome.
http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/DSCF2862_zpslvp5xyog.jpg (http://s791.photobucket.com/user/SNARGLEFLERK/media/DSCF2862_zpslvp5xyog.jpg.html)

[GuzziRider]

The Uberti has a 20 in twist, so you'll be best to keep bullets under 500 grs. The Saeco 645 works quite well to 1000 yds in most 45-70's.
Good advice Don. I have used the 645 with good results for years out at Alliance, NE.

[Don McDowell]

Yes it is a very overlooked bullet choice in the 45-70. Mark Meccage at Ekalaka is the one that turned my attention to that bullet. Started loading it in Carol's rifle and dang the thing worked and just keeps on working.

[cottonwood]

Been out to both shoots at Alliance for a couple of years---great folks, and range !! was shooting a 38-55, but the Uberti 45-70 is new to me, so thought I would work up a bullet while the snow is flying . Thanks for all of the info. !!

[Don McDowell]

Well good luck with building a new load for your rifle. Hope to make it to Alliance this year, the last couple of years hasn't worked out for me.

[cottonwood]

Would like to buy some from the 645 mold to try out, if any one has some to sell.
I will have the trade tent set up and the coffee on , would be great to see you Don !!

[Don McDowell]

Check out www.bigskycastbullets.com (http://www.bigskycastbullets.com) to get some of those bullets.
Hopefully weather and cows cooperate and we can get there again. Jim and co do a great job with that shoot.

[Keith Andersen]

If I was going to get one mould only it would be the original copy of the Ideal postell bullet that NIE has, not the Lyman Postell now being made. When Walt made the cherry for this bullet it is an exact copy of the Ideal. This bullet shoot very good in my original trapdoors as it does in all of my .45-70's.
http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/458-525-PB-2.jpg

[Kenny Wasserburger]

+1 on the ideal Postell, it drops from the mould a bit large mine is .461. This bullet was used by varrious Milita Companies at Creedmoor in their Trapdoors in the Mid-1880's. Paul Mathews revived it. In modern bores you may wish to size it down to .459-.458.

KW

[JimP.]

try the Lyman 457125 or the SAECO 883 500 gr bullets