View Full Version : Peabody 45-70
I have a 45-70 Peabody, made by Providence Tool Co.. Would like to get some info on reloading for it, loads and bullets. Looks like it has Martini rifling in it. Not coventional grooves.
hickstick_10
09-29-2010, 10:23 PM
is it a new model or antique?
It is an antique, not a new one.
fourarmed
09-30-2010, 03:39 PM
I would treat it like a trapdoor Springfield. BP or BP substitution loads only. Most loading manuals have a 45-70 loading section specifically for the older, weaker actions.
I'm going to start loading with 22 grs 2400, I have a Lee 405 HB mold. Plan on useing them as cast and hand lube. That's the load I use in a .43 RB. Will slug the bore tonight and see what that brings.
scrapcan
09-30-2010, 06:27 PM
I was hoping it was a new make as I would like to have one to play with and your review would have been a way to talk me into one. No way can I afford the time or money to aquire an original. So thank you.
But please report back with your efforts. Neat old guns.
Tazman1602
09-30-2010, 06:48 PM
Love to see a pic of that rifle d43P................<grin>
Art
Tazman, will get a picture up as soon as I can figure out on how to do it. Not to swift with this computor stuff. If I get some help will go for it.
Buckshot
10-01-2010, 12:42 AM
Tazman, will get a picture up as soon as I can figure out on how to do it. Not to swift with this computor stuff. If I get some help will go for it.
................Are your photo's on your computer or hosted on an internet website? Or if you'd like you can e-mail it/them to me and I'll post them for you.
................Buckshot
gungadoug
10-01-2010, 12:22 PM
Be sure it is 45-70! Lots of those were 43 Spanish!! It's a strong action, but that being said, built for black!
Doug
Just got through with slugging the bore and taking some pictures. Pushed a cast boolit thru the bore, final dia. seems to be around .461. I miked my Lee mold,405 HB and it is .463. Hopefully all will be OK as cast. When I get the pictures transferred will post them. Seems like the barrel is choke bored, is that typical of Henry rifling?
http://www.fototime.com/7D8D67C5C957BA2/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/ABFD17B0A856205/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/F3D716E48B38049/standard.jpg
Would like to thank Buckshot for getting the photos posted. It would have taken me weeks to figure that out. Took the rifle to the range, did well at 50yds. It seems to like the unsized boolits better than sized, .461 as opposed to .457.
Buckshot
10-05-2010, 02:54 AM
.................Be nice to have some top, bottom and left side pics :-) Maybe one topside with the action open? I mean we came THIS far, lets see it ALL!
.................Buckshot
missionary5155
10-05-2010, 05:30 AM
Good morning
I have a Peabody 45-70 on display in our local Military Museum up in the state of ILL.
If I remember correctly my rifle shot best a NEI .462 40-1 400 grain round nose with 65 grains 2F goex. I tried some Unique and 2400 loads which were OK but by far the best accuracy came with the BP. I lubed with 55% beeswax and 45% olive oil. Pushed a moist patch through about every 3 shots. Fired off cross sticks it will shoot 3 " at 100 yards. I no longer shoot larger rifles off benches... my 60 year old 157 pound body just does not do to well getting crunched.
Mike in Peru
Buckshot, will get some more pics for you. I'll forward them when I'm done.
Don
Faust
10-08-2010, 07:07 PM
Tagging for pics
Buckshot
10-10-2010, 03:09 AM
More Pictures:
http://www.fototime.com/6ACDE0815416DA8/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/CE8ED4C9DD652CA/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/7A8DDB16CF9EC49/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/D7BA026C406944A/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/47FF947644AA492/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/D995EF20858CF33/standard.jpg
My apologies to d43p as I was supposed to put these up for him last night and spaced it out.
................Buckshot
Don McDowell
10-10-2010, 12:03 PM
If you haven't done so already you may want to do a chamber cast on that rifle. Also make sure it's been converted from rimfire to centerfire.
Peabody had 3 45 caliber cartridges, including the first 45-70.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f358/Ranch137/scan-1.jpg
Don, it's not rimfire, it's centerfire. I've loaded regular length 45-70 and used some shortened that I use in a 45 Danish RB. Both seemed to work OK. Doesn't like the 300gr bullet, shoots the 405 much better. It has Henry rifleing, not sure if that is a gain twist or not. I've tried 2400 and 4759 powders so far. Groups better with the 2400. I should try some BP loads but don't like cleaning the cases.
Buckshot thanks again for posting the pics..............Don
TonyT
10-13-2010, 08:54 PM
I had a Peabody-Martini What Cheer in 40-70 PWC and loads similar to that in 40-65 Win. worked well for me.
Bob S
10-15-2010, 12:07 PM
From the rear sight, I'd guess you have a Connecticutt State Militia rifle. Does it have sling swivels? For some unknown reason, they were made with no provisions for a sling, but swivels could have been added by a later private owner (like I am about to do to mine). The mortice in the buttstock for the rear sling swivel had a flat plate with "Conn" and a rack number stamped. Massachusetts also purchased some. These were originally made in 1868-1870, and were chambered in ".433", which was really 43 Spanish. After the federal government adopted the 45-70, they were rebarreled in 45-70 using the Henry patent rifling system, seven grooves, I believe.
For Mike in Peru ... how the heck do you push a wet patch through the bore of a Peabody??
Resp'y,
Bob S.
Bob, it is a Conn rifle. Doesn't have sling swivels. Where the rear sling swivel would have been there is a plate marked CONN and 525. Has a great trigger for an old timer.
Wayne Smith
10-18-2010, 03:06 PM
Don, it's not rimfire, it's centerfire. I've loaded regular length 45-70 and used some shortened that I use in a 45 Danish RB. Both seemed to work OK. Doesn't like the 300gr bullet, shoots the 405 much better. It has Henry rifleing, not sure if that is a gain twist or not. I've tried 2400 and 4759 powders so far. Groups better with the 2400. I should try some BP loads but don't like cleaning the cases.
Buckshot thanks again for posting the pics..............Don
Do you have a tumbler or vibratory cleaner? If so it's easy. Get some ceramic media, I know Buffalo Arms has some, and this last time I used soe of the Citric Acid mix to cover the media. Overnight in that and an hour or so in wanut to fully dry and they are beautiful! Very easy to do, as well.
Oh, and the ceramic media will last for several lives, too.
lkydvl
02-01-2011, 06:06 PM
Here's another Peabody:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/lkydvl/Rifles/PeabodyRightView.jpg
http://http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/lkydvl/Rifles/PeabodyRightReceiverForearm.jpg
http://http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/lkydvl/Rifles/PeabodyInscriptiionRigthReceiver.jpg
http://http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/lkydvl/Rifles/PeabodyLeverDown.jpg
doubs43
02-02-2011, 12:12 PM
Dang, what a neat rifle! Providence Tool Company will likely sell a rifle or two after readers see yours.
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