457 round ball load in 45-70

[shaggybull]

Anybody try loading 457 round ball(s) in a 45-70. I was casting for 44 old army was thinking 2 or 3 balls in the 45-70 might be interesting.

[pietro]

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Yes - It was discussed here previously: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?374108-45-70-gallery-loads.

I used a single RB, pressed down on the 5gr FFg in set-aside cases that I had drilled out the primer hole - I notched the rims of those cases, so they wouldn't be loaded with full/smokeless loads.

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[725]

Yes. Great fun and useful for small critters. "bout 8 or 9 grains of Unique", push the RB into the case and let 'er go. Care needs to be taken when seating the ball. You have a live primed case there and if done somewhere other than a press, protect the primer from contact with anything.

[TjB101]

I’ve gotta try this ... looks like some lightweight plinking fun and will stretch the lead supply out.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I used to load 3 balls over 36gn of 3031 powder, now I just use a 250gn 'mouse f**t load, much more accurate.

https://i.imgur.com/YaFZpHBm.jpg?1

[swamp]

For fun loads I use a collar button. Looks a bit silly in a 458 mag case. Fun to shoot in both 458 and 45-70.
swamp

[sharps4590]

Old Speer manuals had data for RB's in several cartridges. I tried one cylinder full in a 45 Colt, Freedom Arms and wasn't impressed with the accuracy however, 5 rounds is hardly a comprehensive load work up. Somewhere there has to be an accurate load using them, I just didn't pursue it.

[GregLaROCHE]

I’ve thought about trying it. With one ball. I first need to get the right size mould.

[missionary5155]

As with all loading be sure your RB is sized correctly for the groove. With RB we load at least .002 over groove.
And remember to lube !!

[NITROTRIP]

I was given 5-1/2lbs of Trail Boss, poor guy gagged at the fired smell?
Anyway.
To use it I thought-round ball fun.
Lube I rolled in alox 45-45-10 mix.
.457 seated in 3/16" sized 45-70 to center of ball with fingers, Trail Boss at 750fps in 30" Sharps 1-16 twist. 1-1/2 group@ 25yd,
almost silent.
Best. Rossi 92-45 colt 20" 1-30" twist. .454 lubed as above seated with thumb in unsized case to center with light role crimp.
Trail Boss at 800fps, 1" 5 shot group@25yds repeatable. Yes it feeds. "NOW THAT" is a Red Ryder with a ear to ear grin.
This rifle was given to me about 10yrs ago by a friend after 2 trips to Rossi because of feed problems. I shimmed the right
feed rail until it feeds empty brass 80% of the time. Now it feeds round ball to 300+gr.
I shoot round ball from 17Hornet CZ527 to the Sharps 45/70. Great Fun!

Rick

[longbow]

Not a .45-70 but for my 1894 Marlin I had Tom at Accurate scale down a .45 cal. lightweight boolit to .433". I had previously tried round ball with good success using light loads but if I pushed it much accuracy fell apart. This 165 gr. is a nice boolit to shoot and more versatile.

If I still had a .45-70 (might even get another) I'd go collar button or light weight boolit over the round ball for the same reason.

However, if you have a round ball mould of appropriate size they make not a bad light load plinker as stated above. If you are buying a new mould, I'd recommend a lightweight boolit over a round ball.

Either way it is fun plinking with the big bore... like shooting a .22 on steroids except the holes are BIG!

Longbow

[gitzitfish]

Sounds like an interesting idea for sure. I’m going to have to try it as well and see