Getting a Remington rolling block in 45-70

[JMax]

It looks like I an inheriting one in the near future. I have the following questions:
1) specific cast bullet molds for 100 - 200 yard for shooting all day
2) gas check or not
3) powders that I use are Unique, 2400, 4227 and IMR4895 but open to suggestions
4) my alloy is 10/1 with 1.5% Sb (used in my 06 at 1850 ft/sec w/o leading)

[skeettx]

1. The lighter the bullet the less recoil
2. No gas check needed for paper rounds at 1200fps
3. Light target loads, try Unique first, cheaper per load
4. Fine alloy for paper stuff also so you do not have to change your pot load
But you could go softer.

[Scharfschuetze]

Lucky you!

Check your rifling when you get it. Most military 45/70s had a three groove barrel and around a 1 in 22" rifling twist. If that's what you have, ensure that you have a mould that throws a .460 or slightly larger boolit.

My favorite mould for military barrels is Lee's 405 grain, but the Lyman 457193 is also a good choice. It's also in the vicinity of 405 grains. If you want to hold off on buying a mould for a bit, try a commercial cast boolit.

My favorite shoot all day loads are either of the two styles above at .460" cast at 1 to 20 or the .459" diameter Oregon Trail 405 grain boolit at 1,100 fps which is the US Army's carbine load duplication. For higher performance, up the load to the infantry standard of 1,300 fps. Given the age of your RB, I'd probably hold at that velocity. My favorite powders are Unique and 4759, although there is a plethora of faster powders that will suffice.

[country gent]

Depending on your twist rate a 400 grn bullet or there abouts should do well. Look for around 1100-1200 fps range here. Weight of the rifle will also affect fet recoil, 8-9 lbs may be a solid recoil impulse, 11-12 is going to be much easier. Smokeless Powders work well in these rifles and this caliber but dont overlook black powder either. A lightly compressed charge of BP will give around 11-60-1200 fps normally and some very accurate loads. I would look at lymann 405 grn or something similar. My 45-70 sees alot of 500-550 grn bullets.

[TXGunNut]

Sounds like an adventure is about to begin! First BPCR I ever fired was an original Remington, very nice rifle. Hard to go wrong with BP and lead, Lyman 457193 is a good choice but the Lee might get you started with a bit less cash outlay.

[JMax]

I appreciate all of the information that has been provided. I will get the rifle mid September and will be ready for it to start the fun. I know nothing about the rifle other that it is an old Remington rolling block rifle in 45-70 that my friends father used to shoot.

I have finished load development work on my 03 sporter (made in 1934) with cast and my 1902 Krag with the same bullet sized to .313 with great results. Both have loads with two different powders so now I will start on this grand old lady soon after I start load development for my Norwegian Krag in 6.5X55. The more I shoot cast rifle bullets the more fun I am having. What is especially nice is that a 25-50-100 yard range is 10 minutes from the house.

[mrrch]

It is fun and addicting!
I've been pondering a 45-70 for the future.
Something old
Black powder sounds fun too

[Scharfschuetze]

I've been pondering a 45-70 for the future.

Well worth pondering. For black powder loads, be sure to read Wolf's great book on duplicating military BP loads for the 45/70.

http://4570products.info/Books_c2.htm

[JMax]

I finally got it, have 138 cases but now need to order dies, sizer die and a mold from Swede. It has been sporterized and is for a left hand shooter and has a very nice bore. I am right handed but took stock making in GS school so will break out my files and rasps and make it suitable for me. Photo included and I am thrilled.

177308

[clum553946]

You are very fortunate & now about to get hooked! Lol! I was shooting my trapdoor just today & there's something really neat about shooting a piece of history. I bought an old Lyman 391 mould that I put in my display case several years ago & decided to try casting with it when I got the Springfield. Casts a great 388 gr bullet @ .459, so I just shoot them as cast. Shoot the rifle until it got pretty hot which was around 30 rounds. I've used Varget, IMR 4198 & Accurate 5744 with great results. I use a filler with the 4198, but don't with the other two. At the speeds you should be shooting, I don't think you need a GC. I have a Remington Rolling Block in 32-20 & like the action so I know you'll have fun!

[JMax]

I discovered that it is a Spanish rolling block rifle with a new 24" barrel. It's S/N is 1255 with the hammer and block serialized to the receiver. The date and ARO/Crown stamp on the right side has been filed/polished off but that is not an issue. Unfortunately 43 Spanish extractors seem to be seen no where and I cannot see a straight extractor channel like a Remington Navy. Two Remington extractors came with the rifle, one straight and the other one of the circular type, oh well trade goods. I will file a small relief cut near where an extractor should go so I can use a small screw driver to extract brass. Dies, mold and tooling should arrive during the week but inlaws show up Friday delaying test firing.

[John Boy]

Smokeless loading data by bullet weight ... take your pick:

http://reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

[JMax]

Outstanding link and thank you. I have a 405 gr mold on the way from NOE and plan on 1000-1100 ft/sec range loads the old gal with that bullet.

[PositiveCaster]

My Petersoli RB has an extremely tight bore, 0.454" across the grooves. It will chamber cartridges loaded with .457" boolits, and I use the RCBS 405GC mold for target shooting. I had poor accuracy and some leading with PB boolits, but 25 grains of IMR4227 gave average 5-shot groups of 1.1" at 100 yards with the RCBS design. Low recoil in the heavy 28" octogon barrel, but I never tried the rifle for accuracy past 100 yards.


.

[TCLouis]

I have shot some pretty decent groups with Lee's 340 grainer using 10.5 of Unique and the boolit plods along about 1100 fps.

Every 9 boolits you get an extra one over the 405s.

The RCBS 300 or 325 ( I forget which) might suit your needs also if it will fly straight out of your gun.