45-120 uberti sharps

[curdog]

A friend of mine bought a uberti in 45-120 and asked me about smokless loads for it. I have never loaded for one and dont know about smokeless loads for it. I told him he would be better off with blackpowder because of it being such a big case capacity. Does any have any input on this. I would appreciate it.

[ReloaderFred]

I've been shooting smokeless loads in my .45-120 for about 24 years now, but mine is built on a Browning B-78 action, which is a copy of the Winchester 1885 action. It's a real thumper with a 420 gr. RNFP-GC bullet and a healthy load of IMR 4895. I do use Super Grex as a case filler, since the 3.25" case has a lot of room in it.

Lyman, Hodgdon and Accurate all have load data for the .45-120 using smokeless powder.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Doc Highwall]

I would look at AA5744 and give it a try without fillers first. I have used it in 45-70 and 45-90 with no problems.

[Old Goat Keeper]

Trail Boss powder would probably work ok too.

Tom

[1874Sharps]

ACC 5477 is a good choice, indeed. The Accurate loading manual has loads for the 45-120, too. Because of the large case capacity you can squeeze a bit more velocity for a given pressure, compared to the 45-70, etc. Congratulations to your friend on his purchase!

[nicholst55]

Several guys on the Graybeard's Outdoors NEF Forum have reamed their .45-70 Buffalo Classics to .45 3-1/4" , and are shooting smokeless loads in them. According to their chronograph results, they're showing a significant velocity increase over the .45 2.1" case ~ something that I was always told wouldn't happen!

I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has been told (or read) that you won't see a worthwhile velocity increase with smokeless powder in the big Sharps cases, and to only use black powder in them. Turns out that ain't necessarily so.

[ReloaderFred]

My 420 gr. GC bullet is stepping out at just over 2,200 fps from my .45-120. I'm sure I could get more out of it, but haven't felt the need (in my shoulder).

Hope this helps.

Fred

[george1980]

i am going to start by saying i am a novice reloader i know absolutly zero about loading for a .45-120 now with that being said , my thinking is this , this is a black powder cartridge designed for black powder i think curdog is correct in telling his friend to stick with bp in such a large case , it is my understanding the uberti rifles are made by pedersoli please correct me if i am wrong , and if my memory serves max pressure is something around 28,000 psi , commen sense tells me that unless curdogs friend is experianced in reduced loads with high volume cases to stay away from smokeless powder i see way to much room for error and nobody wants to see someone else make a potentialy dangerouse mistake

[ReloaderFred]

In my case, I load for 31 different calibers and have been at it since 1963. I have a little understanding of the subject. There is ample published data available for the .45-120 for both smokeless and blackpowder, so it wouldn't be unknown territory, if one is willing to do the research and not depend on forums for their knowledge base.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[hickstick_10]

The lyman manual has smokeless reload date for the 45-120

[StrawHat]

...I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has been told (or read) that you won't see a worthwhile velocity increase with smokeless powder in the big Sharps cases, and to only use black powder in them. Turns out that ain't necessarily so...


I had heard that also, but maybe powders have changed a bit since it was first considered. The reintroduction of "bulk smokeless" powders has helped.

[cajun shooter]

The guys that are shooting the 45-120 in a Buffalo Classic are of different mind and body than me. That rifle does not even weigh 8 pounds. Maybe they mount themselves to a sliding track before firing. I would like to see a video of this for sure. I owned a BC in 45-70 and with full loads it packed a wallop.

[montana_charlie]

Trail Boss powder would probably work ok too.
"Trail Boss is designed specifically for low velocity lead bullet loads suitable for Cowboy Action shooting. It is primarily a pistol powder, but has some application in rifle."
http://www.imrpowder.com/trailboss.html

[ReloaderFred]

I've tried Trail Boss in .45-70, and while very, very accurate, I swear I could run to the target faster than the bullets travelled. It would probably work for a very light load in the .45-120, but I don't see the point myself.

I once worked up a load for a 300 grain JSP in the .45-120 that was pushing it over 2,500 fps, but decided to stick with the RCBS 405 gr. RNFP-GC that drops from my mold at 420 gr., since it shoots so well.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[curdog]

I have found some data in a old lyman manual that I have. Thanks for the input.

[ReloaderFred]

Lyman, Accurate and Hodgdon all have data for it. You just have to look for it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[semtav]

Trail Boss powder would probably work ok too.

Tom



I used 26 gr of trail boss in mine for a while with good results, but you better check with the manuf before trying it. I heard That should be too much.

[jameslovesjammie]

The guys that are shooting the 45-120 in a Buffalo Classic are of different mind and body than me. That rifle does not even weigh 8 pounds. Maybe they mount themselves to a sliding track before firing. I would like to see a video of this for sure. I owned a BC in 45-70 and with full loads it packed a wallop.

This is one of the guys from GBO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKdAY30tWxg

[Rick459]

just be careful that you don't end up with a T-Rex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VVOH7Ep_8w&NR=1&feature=fvwp

[ReloaderFred]

It's not that bad at all. My .45-120 smokeless loads are pretty stout, and I do wear a shooting glove on my right hand (trigger hand) to keep the lever from rapping my knuckles, but the recoil isn't that bad.

I once had a female Game Warden shoot it. She weighed about 130 pounds, and would shoot and giggle, shoot and giggle. She shot 21 rounds, since that's all I had with me at the time. She told me when I got more rounds loaded up, to give her a call...........

Hope this helps.

Fred

[oldreliable45120]

I've been shooting a 120 for alot of years. I've tried countless types of smokless and never got great results with it. IMR Trail Boss works fine aslong as the range isn't to far. My rifle shoots better with black so I stay with this powder.
118 gr fg with a 600 paper patch does everything I need it to, this is the load I've been using since 1996.