AbitNutz
07-31-2015, 07:17 PM
I'm converting my Lyman 1878 45-70 to...wait for it, wait for it...450 Nitro Express.
First, I love British big game rounds and I've always wanted a 450 NE. So while the 450-110 is cool, I didn't consider it. Both 45-70 and 450 NE are .458. While the rim thickness is listed as .070 vs .040, the Hornady brass I have both measure out at .061. I wrote Hornady about that...
I wrote Lyman and asked what load data to use for the 1878. They said to use the 45-70 data for the Winchester 1886 and the Marlin 1895 lever rifles. That puts the pressure at 43,000 cup. The 450 NE is rated at 39,000 cup. Chamber reamers are readily available and so is brass. It's not cheap but 45-110 sure isn't any less expensive.
One area of concern I'm having is that the stock may not be able to handle it. I'm looking at a good bedding job to perhaps help in this area.
The Lyman-Pedersoli has a forged receiver and a cut rifled barrel and is not only one of my best looking rifles, it's also very well made. I really didn't expect that out of an Italian clone.
I'm really interested to see where a 450 NE pegs my chronograph with a 30 inch barrel.
My gunsmith says it's a go so in few weeks I'll drop it off...
First, I love British big game rounds and I've always wanted a 450 NE. So while the 450-110 is cool, I didn't consider it. Both 45-70 and 450 NE are .458. While the rim thickness is listed as .070 vs .040, the Hornady brass I have both measure out at .061. I wrote Hornady about that...
I wrote Lyman and asked what load data to use for the 1878. They said to use the 45-70 data for the Winchester 1886 and the Marlin 1895 lever rifles. That puts the pressure at 43,000 cup. The 450 NE is rated at 39,000 cup. Chamber reamers are readily available and so is brass. It's not cheap but 45-110 sure isn't any less expensive.
One area of concern I'm having is that the stock may not be able to handle it. I'm looking at a good bedding job to perhaps help in this area.
The Lyman-Pedersoli has a forged receiver and a cut rifled barrel and is not only one of my best looking rifles, it's also very well made. I really didn't expect that out of an Italian clone.
I'm really interested to see where a 450 NE pegs my chronograph with a 30 inch barrel.
My gunsmith says it's a go so in few weeks I'll drop it off...