45/70 beginer

[kokomokid]

I need some advice on what bullet to try on an old rolling block that I have not shot in about 35 years. I have retired and want to try black powder. It has a 28" bbl with what looks like 1-23" twist. I shot it years ago with HOT loads from a mallet lee loader and smokeless powder but dont want to try that again.

[Bullshop]

Is this originally a 45/70 or a re barrel? Is it a smokless action (1907) or an earlier BP action? You made me curious when you said you shot hot smokless loads.
A good 1907 (smokless) action can handle some stout loads but I would be very cautious of the older BP actions.
Anyway a good and affordable place to start would be the Lee/Wolf 405 HB.
BIC/BS

[excess650]

Lyman/Ideal designs to consider would be 457193, 457124, and 457122. These will cast between 340gr and 410gr with 25-1 alloy. Lube with SPG, BPC,Emmerts, or other known good BPCR lubes, and load over how much ever ffg BP you can stuff into the case and chamber the round.

My own BPCR 45-70 rounds included a .03" card wad between the base of the bullet and powder.

WW cases hold about 4gr more powder than RP, and RP 2-1/2 (large pistol) primers worked best for me.

If you choose to go the smokeless route, AA5744 and Unique would be powder suggestions.

If its an old soft barrel you probably don't even want to put gas checks through it, so don't even consider jacketed.:cbpour:

[kokomokid]

The last patten on it is 1874 but it has been rebarreled to a nunrich 1 1/8 hex. Action is good and tight but I think I want to try BP. Just got a box of Rem factory for the brass and shot two three shot groups of 4inches at 120 yds. I think I will have to get a tang sight as my old eyes cant get everthing in focus at the same time.

[Phat Man Mike]

:hijack: first off howdy and welcome to the gang!! and 2nd I'd like to see a pic of this rifle!!!:D

[Don McDowell]

I need some advice on what bullet to try on an old rolling block that I have not shot in about 35 years. I have retired and want to try black powder. It has a 28" bbl with what looks like 1-23" twist. I shot it years ago with HOT loads from a mallet lee loader and smokeless powder but dont want to try that again.

Might go here and pickout a selection of 400ish grain bullets sized .459. www.montanabulletworks.com

Then go here www.sageoutfitters.com and get some .030 fiberwads.
Then get some goex cartridge or 2f , prime your choice of cases with a cci large rifle primer and dump in 70 grs of powder, one of the wads and seat the bullet to the driving bands. No more crimp than it takes to remove the flare from the case mouth.

[missionary5155]

Greetings and WELCOME kokomokid !
I sure do enjoy the shows they have out at the armory!
Step one is to check the throat diameter. IF it is .460 then plan on a .461+ diameter boolit.
IF you are going to use Black be sure the boolit is cast from near pure lead and Black will do a good job bumping that boolit to groove. But still go for a boolit close to throat diameter and larger if possible.
I cast my own and always go for FAT. I plan on running a wet patch between shots so I have no concern about crud buildup to stop the next round from chambering.
Bore condition is important. If it is ROUGH.. 20 rounds smeared with fine lapping compound will smooth up a barrel... but pits are there to stay. If the Bore is smooth you will have a good shooter but you will have load development to do to get competitive.
I have 3 Remingtons. 2 are 45-70. One is a true .458 and the other is smaller... about .456+.

[kokomokid]

THANKS for all the help. I now have access to a Lee 405 grain hollow base mold and sizer. The WW bullets that came from it measure .461 and my gun sluged .455. I guess I will get some soft lead and cast a few. Will I need to run these thru the .457 sizer? What kind of lube do you use for the sizer?

[chuebner]

I believe I have the same rifle you have. Mine says Numrich Arms 45-70 Buffalo on the top barrel flat just forward of the receiver. Mine also slugged tight at .450 X .456. Best smokeless load to date is the Lee 405HB sized .459 over 22gr. of SR4759, 1 1/2" groups at 100yd. Best BP load is Lyman 457125 sized .459 over 65gr. 2F GOEX with .030 card wad under bullet. The 500gr Lyman shoots way better with BP than the Lee 405HB but the Lee shoots better with smokeless. Go figure. I've been using LLA with my smokeless bullets and Bullshop's NASA lube for BP.

charlie

[Ben]

I'm not certain what kind of equipment , sizer dies, lubri-sizer, etc. that you have ?

If you're on a budget, you can take a $12 Lee sizing die, .457" dia. and a fired 45/70 case and lube and size your bullets just fine.

Take a look at a " sticky " that I wrote some time back :

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=34058