45-70 Contender what boolit?

[jeff223]

i have been thinging about a 45-70 barrel for my Contender pistol.i have a 357max now and would like to go all the way.im not going to load it up to max loads because i dont want to take to fun out of shooting the gun but i still want a heavy hitter.the recoil will be right up there with most loads and a heavy boolit but i dont want it brutal.

you guys have any ideas to a good boolit for this barrel?

i dont have the barrel yet but i have one lined up if i decide to go that way.i have also been thinking about rechambering a 44 mag barrel to 445 super mag or 444 marlin

ideas and thoughts please and thankyou

[44man]

I would say to use around a 300 gr. bullet. The Hornady shoots great and my home made mold throws a 317 gr boolit that is super accurate. Of course I shoot these from a BFR revolver. I don't think you want to shoot a heavier boolit from the TC without a shoulder stock or I will hear "OUCH" clear over here in WV!

[JDL]

jeff223,
I have been having very good results with the RCBS 45-300-FN (321 grains W/W alloy) out of my Browning B-78. My intentions were to make up a load at around 1600-1700 fps but, they clocked 1850 fps and 5 groups averaged less than 2" at 100 yards. This sure made me happy but, I found it strange that 2 grains less powder produced the same velocity, with this boolit, as with a 310 grain paper patch slug.-JDL

[Iron River Red]

It seems to me when shooting the venerable 45-70 in my contender some years ago, I was shooting 350's. They were uncomfortable to shoot. to my recollection, the faster powders were more punishing because of the shrp recoil and the slower powder with the big pill was actually easier on my hand.

I would say a lighter bullet and a slower powder will be more enjoyable to shoot not to mention the case capacity will be better matched.

[wcshooter]

I've been using the RCBS 300 grain with 12 grains Unique. easy on the hands, not much more than full house 44mag and it will easily take down a 200 meter ram with no problem

[beagle]

The Contender .45/70 is a lot of fun.

Be sure and get a Super 16 barrel with muzzle tamer. You have to clean the lead out ever so often but they shoot pretty good.

Bullets??? I'd recommend the RCBS 45-300-FN, the Lyman 457191 or the 457122HP.

When I had one, I shot about everything in it. Unique was good for ligther loads but then occasionally, I'd abuse myself and shoot some heavy stuff. Factory loads aren't bad at all in them.

Alas, just a passing fancy like all of my Contenders./beagle