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RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

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RanchRoper
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by RanchRoper » Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:18 pm

Curious....assuming one had the dies etc....what's different reloading 45-70 vs the 45 Colt. I get that it is a rifle cartridge. But a mild load is achievable I assume?
Just askin'....
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by Mistered » Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:34 pm

what's different reloading 45-70 vs the 45 Colt.
Essentially nothing - longer stroke on the press handle.
But a mild load is achievable I assume?
Yep nothing different - lots of load data available for the 45-70 - from mild to wild!
Lots of data available using Unique powder which traditionally has been used for reduced loads in a LOT of rifle cartridges - including .45-70.
I currently use 12 grains of Unique with 100-110 grain bullets in 30-30 with excellent accuracy and low recoil and report.

Trail Boss is another powder that is used for reduced loads as well.
Go to Hodgdons' website for reloading data, choose .45-70 Trapdoor loads, choose a bullet weight and click on Hodgdon in the powder catagory and pick Trail Boss. Click 'get data' and you will see reduced data using Trail Boss.
Last edited by Mistered on Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:47 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by Ojaileveraction » Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:53 pm

45-70 is a lot like reloading pistol calaber cartridges.
No expanding ball to worry about the biggest difference from bottle neck cartridges.
My 26 inch 45-70 like heavier bullets,350 to 405 cast lead and plated best.
Powder choices are different. Many do use some of the pistol powders for 45-70,
I prefer Trailboss right now. But the other blackpowder replacers like H/IMR 4895, H/IMR 4198, and the now discontinued you gotta know a guy SR 4759.
RanchRoper wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:18 pm
Curious....assuming one had the dies etc....what's different reloading 45-70 vs the 45 Colt. I get that it is a rifle cartridge. But a mild load is achievable I assume?
Just askin'....
Last edited by Ojaileveraction on Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by JEBar » Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:11 pm

RanchRoper wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:18 pm
Curious....assuming one had the dies etc....what's different reloading 45-70 vs the 45 Colt. I get that it is a rifle cartridge. But a mild load is achievable I assume?
Just askin'....
as others have responded, they are very similar .... one definite difference is carbide dies that eliminate the need for case lubrication are available for 45 Colt but are not available for 45-70 .... other than that, its mostly a matter of size .... with 45-70 components most components are larger .... the power of loads for both have a range which allows a person to produce mild or full power ammo
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by RanchRoper » Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:55 pm

45-70 is a straight walled brass case?
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by Mistered » Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:01 pm

It is slightly tapered (.505 to .480) but for all intents and purposes it is considered straight wall.
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by Ojaileveraction » Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:09 pm

A Sharps in 45-70 opens up a whole nuther world in shooting long range.
Conical 500gr bullets 11 lbs of recoil absorber.
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by RanchRoper » Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:20 pm

Just have to find a range to shoot at...mine goes out to 250 yds. Anyhow, I doubt my shoulder would take the pounding for long. That's why I like 45 Colt. I don't see any Sharps rifles in pistol calibers, for good reason I suppose.
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by JEBar » Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:23 pm

RanchRoper wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:55 pm
45-70 is a straight walled brass case?
Mistered wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:01 pm
It is slightly tapered (.505 to .480) but for all intents and purposes it is considered straight wall.

after buying our 45-70 I couldn't find carbide dies .... called RCBS and was told that the taper is the reason they don't make carbide dies for it ....
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Re: RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

Post by RanchRoper » Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:41 pm

I am excited to get my High Wall and go full Quigley on it at the range. I don't see a 45-70 in my future. Just curious as those Sharps are really nice rifles for sure. If I can plunk a 12" target at 250 yds from 1 knee with a tang sight on my High Wall and a 45 Colt bullet, I'll be a happy cowboy.
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1860 Colt SA Richards Conversion Revolver .45C
1860 Henry .45C
1885 High Wall .45C
1820-1840 Frontier Percussion .50
1790-1820 Frontier Flintlock .50

Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully

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