Handi rifle .45-70

[lightload]

I'm considering buyingan H&R .45-70 for loading down to shoot light recoiling plinking boolit loads. Will the big case allow me to do so with decent accuracy? I'd appreciate powder/boolit recommendations.

[725]

I user 9 grs of Unique and a .457 roundball for plinking. Can't get lighter recoil than that.

[lightload]

With this round ball load, what distance are you shooting at? 50yards? Also I have several pounds of IMR 4227, have you tried this powder. Thank you.

[Good Cheer]

Don't know about 4227.
Might want to load two round balls.
:kidding:

[pworley1]

I shoot trapdoor loads in my handi 45 70. Not much recoil and still plenty of energy.

[GoodOlBoy]

H&R handi rifles in 45-70 are fun and accurate guns, even if the monster of a front sight blade leaves a bit to be desired.

GoodOlBoy

[lightload]

I never thought about it, but 3-4 round balls might make an interesting package on top of some black powder.

[Ohio3Wheels]

I'm considering buyingan H&R .45-70 for loading down to shoot light recoiling plinking boolit loads. Will the big case allow me to do so with decent accuracy? I'd appreciate powder/boolit recommendations.

I've got about the same thing in a Rossi Wizard that 'm still working on loads for so this discussion comes at a good time.

Make smoke,
Curt

[Elkins45]

H&R is kaput, so if you want one you need to find it now before all of the existing dealer stock has been sold.

[GoodOlBoy]

H&R is kaput, so if you want one you need to find it now before all of the existing dealer stock has been sold.

Which is why between lack of money and that I don't already have an iron sighted one in 45 long colt.

GoodOlBoy

[tdoyka]

I'm considering buyingan H&R .45-70 for loading down to shoot light recoiling plinking boolit loads. Will the big case allow me to do so with decent accuracy? I'd appreciate powder/boolit recommendations.

i use an h&r 45-70. i don't shoot it as much, but trail boss and a 405gr boolits works great. i also use h4198 with trapdoor loads too.

[richhodg66]

Which is why between lack of money and that I don't already have an iron sighted one in 45 long colt.

GoodOlBoy

whiteeagle has one for sale in swapping and selling right now;

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?281768-H-amp-R-Classic-Carbine-45-Colt

[GoodOlBoy]

Yep, good price too. But I am broke. Hope it goes to a good home.

GoodOlBoy

[Lefty Red]

I loved my Handi in 45/70! Lee 405gr bullet sized down to paper patch it and ran at 1100-1300 fps with pistol powders. I think Blue Dot was my go to powder. I won $20 by shooting a rat off a trash heap at 100 yards! Front blade and Williams FO back sight.

The 45/70 and 444 Marlin were my two favorite Handi Rifles and the only two I would ever buy again.

Jerry

[richhodg66]

I've recently been working with a Handi in .45-70, I put a Williams peep sight and taller front on it and so far it likes the Saeco 300 grain bullet and 30 grains of 5744 OK (2.5-3" groups at 100 yards). I cast up some of the Lee 340 grain RFN the other day, we'll see how it does with those.

I'm inclined to stay with relatively light bullets and trapdoor level loads with this rifle.

[725]

Lightload -- IIRC, 3 round balls stuffed with black powder used to be referred to as the "Prison guard load". It may have been a different powder, I really don't know. A little research is in order here. Add the weight of the three balls to establish the total throw weight and refer to your manuals for guidance. I've never made such a round up. 50 yards is the outside limit I use for the single .457 ball over 9 grs. Unique. YMMV, however. Others use some more powder, while others use less. As always, prudent experimentation wins the day.

[kungfustyle]

cva makes a 45-70 and they are still in business. Only thing is you'll ether have to get a scope for it or get sights installed.

[rfd]

i've had more than a few H&R rifles in .45-70, all good firearms. too bad H&R got killed by remington. the buffalo classic was a great introduction to bpcr on the cheap and there's nothing around to take its place.

that smokeless white krap trail boss ( :) ) is the way to go for mouse fart loads in the .45-70, only takes 10 or 11 grains, USE NO CASE FILLERS and NO WADS, seat any bullet and yer good to go. unique works fine, too, but with a diff'rent charge. i've built a buncha those rounds for the grandkids to shoot, they're decent accurate too, out to 50 or even 100 yards. be careful with any smokeless load recipes in the .45-70 ... in the short run, black powder is best for that cartridge, as it should be.

[Lead Fred]

My Handi is one of my fav pieces. I installed a Limb Saver 1003, and an 1889 Springfield rear ladder sight.
I only shoot full power 405-430gr cast loads, either holy black or Reloader 7
It hits the 550 yard gong (where my 1895 lever will not)

If I want girlie loads, Ill shoot a 22

[richhodg66]

Wouldn't call trapdoor level loads girlie. Seems they knocked over a lot of buffalo and a whole lot of other things, the .45-70 is a killing machine and got that rep with modest ballistics. That 300 grain Saeco load I mentioned should shoot through anything at any distance I am likely to shoot around here and the older I get, the less I like to get thrashed on the bench. That H&R is a light rifle.

While the round ball loads are intriguing, I have guns that load down easier and better than that .45-70, so I'll stick with them.

[rfd]

trap door levels with bp are best and not at all girlie loads, but light white powder loads of tb or unique are just that - girlie loads.

[BAGTIC]

The weight of three RB can not be compared to a single bullet of the same weight as the seating depth of the RB will be greater for a couple of reasons. #1 the RB can not be seated as far out of the case. #2 There will be a lot of empty space between the Rbs making the effective bullet length longer.

[rfd]

to me, round balls in cartridges only make sense for guard duty and foraging, as they were intended.