Henry Rifle Forums

While some folks were here cutting trees today I set up my 45/70 dies. I had a set of 9 Starline line cases. I used one to make a dummy rd setting the seating depth and crimp. I then loaded 8 light 45/70 rounds. Used data from http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

Missouri bullet company coated 300 gr #2 Buffalo, 10grs Unique, WLR primer. These are cowboy action level rds. Probably 1,000fps. They shoot nice and recoil like a moderate 44mag in my BB.

The rifle has the stock buckhorn sights which I don't care for. And the front sight is too short. With rear sight all the way down it still shoots 6" high . I tried to find it on paper at 50 yds today and missed one shot.

So I shot the target at 25 yds. All 7 shots on this target. One flyer which was me finding the target aiming for center. I had to aim at the bottom of the target for the group. It's a 2" group at 25 yds. 4 of the 6 were one ragged hole. Now if I can only do the same at 50+100 yds.

When I got home and cleaned the gun after 8 rds it was clean and free of fouling.


Next step is to load 20 or so and add the Skinner XA sight and Lyman globe front sight! And get it sighted in.

I built 40 more of these today. And 20 more using the same load and a 405 gr bullet. That's the light load for that bullet on the data I'm using. Can't wait to try them out.

really looking forward to your report .... we've had to move our reloading equipment so we haven't been able to load any for our 45-70 ... thanks for the info

Good shootin'. Are you getting a taller front sight?

I'm replacing both. Globe front and a Skinner XA (extra aperture) rear peep. But it takes some rounds to find and set up on paper. I wanted to find a round that wouldn't turn my old shoulder into hamburger in the process before I installed them. No recoil pad on the brass 45/70! I have both sights in hand already. I'll do a write up when I install them.

You can always get a PAST pad that straps to your shoulder to spread out the recoil and or a slip on pad. If you are bench shooting some rather "warm" loads , grab an extra sandbag to put between the rifle and your shoulder. I don't see this as cheating because in the woods a hunting load might require only one shot.

Mama Squatch got me some padded shotgunners shirts for Christmas. That helps. For long range days I often just fold a terry towel and slip it inside my shirt.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Over the winter I had a bull hide stock cover made for my Big Boy. I had enough room inside to add 1/4" of closed cell foam. I've now shot it enough to know that I like it on the gun. Both looks and comfort. It really keeps the gun where you put it on your shoulder. The brass butt plates are slick and the gun can move. That's when it hurts! I talked to the maker and he will make me a custom for my 45/70 with room for 1/2' of foam or whatever I want. So I'll probably do that before it's over. I'm not particularly recoil sensitive. But in a couple of weeks I'm going on a trip to a national forest with my 4x4 club. It's a regular thing. They have a great range. We tend to do 4 days straight of several hours a day on the range on these trips. By the end of the week it adds up.
That's also one of the reasons I'm working on developing some mild to mid range loads for both rifles. The goals is good accuracy to 100yds. Mild to reasonable recoil. Same common powder for everything to keep costs down. So far I seem to be making progress.





I may eventually look into a recoil compensator inside the butt stock if I feel the need.

So I finally got the Skinner rear and Lyman front sights installed on my 45/70b. More on that elsewhere. But it's still shooting high.

But I shot some more of these handloads and like them. Both 300 + 405 gr in front of 10 grs of Unique. Very mild recoil. I was shooting in a T shirt with no padding. No issue.

Since I was trying to sight in the rifle I was shooting at 25 yds. 300 gr at 25 yds including a slight elevation adjustment.


405 gr at 25 yds same deal.


Mixed at 50 yds including some elevation adjustments.


I like both these loads and intend to build some more. I'm going to change out the rear sight and try again tomorrow. I'll shoot the rest of these up then clean the rifle and check for leading. That should be 60 rounds through the rifle of these since cleaned.

It's good to hear from you, Squatch. You've been missed. Thanks for the report and for the pics. Sounds like you're still having too much fun! Looking forward to hearing more!

Thanks. I've been busy and not on line much lately. I actually have a backlog of stuff to post here.

Forgot to add to the above. The 405's averaged around 930 fps over the Chrono. The 300's around 1035 fps.

thanks for the info .... if/when you get to do some shooting at 100 yards I'd really appreciate hearing your results

I've used Unique in 3 45-70's I use over the years with great success too . I don't remember the load data . But I did use Fed 150 pistol primers .

JEBar, Will do.

tx g, If you check the link I posted at the beginning of this thread You find the load data and an explanation of the why's. It's a good read. I'm basically using a cowboy load for light recoil. Most all the loading I'm doing right now is either coming from that link or from the Lyman cast bullet book.

1st 5 shots today at 25 yds with 300 gr. When I can do this on the bull at 50 yds I'll be happy!


I changed the front sight out last night to a slightly taller Skinner front blade. Unfortunately it's still not tall enough.

I'm liking these loads. Just need to get the sights where I want them.

I've run about 70 rounds through the gun since yesterday. I'll clean it later and report on leading if any.

Great shooting, very soon to be awesome shooting. Thanks for the pics, Squatch.

Just a quick follow up. I cleaned the gun after 60 rounds. I had no real fowling of any kind in the barrel. I'll be making more soon including stepping up the load a little.

Squatch wrote:1st 5 shots today at 25 yds with 300 gr. When I can do this on the bull at 50 yds I'll be happy!

I've run about 70 rounds through the gun since yesterday. I'll clean it later and report on leading if any.

I have been told, by a fellow who has far superior knowledge in this area that I do, that shots stringing like the ones shown on your target are a sign of heating in a non free floated barrel .... just curious, about how long did you let pass between shots

Probably a minute between shots. Those were the 1st 5 so I'll take the blame not the barrel. I was actually pretty happy they were that close.

I understand what you are saying. But the light loads I'm using don't heat the barrel up quick at all. There is a lot of steel in that octagon barrel to heat up. Now my 44 mag BB with factory loads will warm up after some rounds. I've actually gotten it quite hot. Didn't notice a lot of difference in the groups though.

Thanks for the input it is something I'll watch for.

I use my wrist to check temp of the barrel like the milk in a baby bottle . Each caliber and loads are different . Some guns like my jacketed guns for hunting or bench target guns I clean the gun every 10 rounds . My cast bullet shooter for bench or like CAS/SASS guns I only clean at the end of day .