T/C Encore 45-70 barrel

[Sliver Shooter]

I have an Encore 45-70 barrel coming and I'm kind of preparing to load CBs for it. I plan to use it for deer at some point but I will shoot it to see what it will do. I have 3 molds for it that I used to cast for my Trapdoor. I'm concerned about what boolit diameter this Encore would use. Does anyone shoot one and what have you found that works good?

[BJK]

I checked my data for you and I use .459" bullets.

I haven't cast any for it yet but I have some 300g Laser Cast bullets that I was loading using 4475 and 4198. In the Encore you can load them well above 2000fps if you have a mind to do so. Just don't get those loads confused with other far less powerful loads intended for a firearm from the 1800s. Of course you can load them much slower too, but I can't help you there. BTW my barrel is a rifle barrel.

[Sliver Shooter]

One of my molds is a Lee 405 grain flat nose and hollow base. It says it throws .457 slugs. Now what I can do is powder coat them and that would bump it up. I don't think I need to go as high as 2000 fps but maybe somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500fps. That would be good out to maybe 125yds. That would be plenty good. I hear ya on getting loads mixed for the older guns. The ol trapdoor probably would change shape

[BJK]

There are all sorts of what I'll call "downloads" available online. You can search for them and probably find more today than I did years ago. But looking through my data I did what I always do and kept everything I found. If there's a way to get the data to you I'm open to giving you what I found. I haven't tested any of it, and you'll notice that I gave you no load data of mine, just generalities. My thrust was to see just what the old cartridge could do in modern steel. I wouldn't hesitate to take it on safari if I wanted a single shot, and that's doable with practice and correct technique.

I have no doubt that what you have in mind for a load will drop anything in North America. I think you'll probably find what you want online.

Please keep us in the loop.

[44MAG#1]

I have a 15 inch TC Encore 45/70 barrel. Shot 550 Gr at close to 1400 out of it. It was stout in recoil with that tapered barrel and no brake.
Still have it. Shot .459" bullets in mine.

[Tar Heel]

Use Trail Boss to get a tamer load. I shoot it in my 14" barrel. Works like a charm. A lot different than J.D. Jones loads!

[NEKVT]

One of my molds is a Lee 405 grain flat nose and hollow base. It says it throws .457 slugs. Now what I can do is powder coat them and that would bump it up. I don't think I need to go as high as 2000 fps but maybe somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500fps. That would be good out to maybe 125yds. That would be plenty good. I hear ya on getting loads mixed for the older guns. The ol trapdoor probably would change shape

The Lee 459-405-HB was designed for the oversized Trapdoor bores. Don't think you will find it casting at .457. Mine casts .460 with a PB/monotype mix that's the equivalent to WW in hardness. You may have to size it down a bit to fit the T/C.

[Maven]

What NEKVT said!

[Wayne Smith]

I have the Encore Katadin and my barrel measures .4575" inside the grooves. This is the 20" stainless steel barrel in 45-70.

[Sliver Shooter]

I have to share what my progress has been. I have a multitude of 405gr HB FN Lee boolits molded up. Sized them to .459. Loaded some up with IMR 3031. My first load was 48gr loaded in 24 cases and then I backed down to 46 gr and loaded another 24 cases. I put the barrel on my frame and rambled out to the test sight. I shot at a rock at about 75 yards. First with the 46 gr loads. They woke me up for sure but I hit the rock. The set of bipods came flying off, pulled the sling stud from the forearm. I then shot a 48gr load and darn that one really rattled my cage. I know that one can load up to, I think 53 grains of 3031 but not this ol man. That is just to much punch and shooting at about 100 yards, one doesn't need it. I don't have a scope on this gun yet but I know the open sights are pretty close. I think I will have to be selective on my scope choice. The start load in my Cast Boolit Lyman book is 44 grains for around 1300 fps, I think. That may be what I settle on.

[geezer56]

I had an Encore 45-70. I found middle level trapdoor loads to be very effective on deer and hogs. Stepping up to upper end lever gun level loads were very effective on me. More fun than I wanted to have. I used the Lee 340 grain mold. It dropped at 0.4595, I shot them as cast. Lubed in a .460 die, so no size down. I never had one stay inside an animal either, even at trapdoor velocities.

[smithnframe]

In my Contender barrel I size my cast bullets to .459. Very accurate with a Hoch 550 grain Creedmoor bullet if you can handle the recoil. My Contender barrel is a 10 inch model!

[rickt300]

So consensus is to size .459 for Encore's or wait, shoot a few and slug the bore to be sure? I have used many cast bullets as cast. As long as they chambered easily they usually shot pretty good.

[44MAG#1]

.459" is good for a T/C Encore or a Marlin. Unless you are planning to shoot benchrest completions with the Encore chances are you will not be able to tell subtile differences in accuracy. Over thinking is not necessary on this.