Henry Rifle Forums

info below from this website : https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product ... e=&from=fn

"When traveling through bear country, you can never leave anything chance. The HSM Bear Load consistently delivers outstanding terminal performance on even the largest and most aggressive animals when the chips are down. Loaded with technologically advanced powders and premium quality hard cast bullets, HSM ammunition gives significantly higher velocities for terminal energy that's far superior to standard loads.

.45-70 Government +P
430 Grain round nose bullet with gas check
Energy: 3029 Foot pounds
Velocity: 1781 Feet per second"


question for folks with experience reloading lead bullets .... they list the Muzzle Velocity as 1781 Feet per second and note that they use gas checks .... at such a speed one could anticipate lead buildup in a rifle's barrel .... that said, I've fired a few and not observed any buildup .... I've read reports that use of a gas check helps prevent such buildups .... its easy to see that a 430 grain hunk of lead moving at 1781 fps would pack one heck of a wallop ... comments about lead vs jacketed bullets for hunting ammo would be appreciated

I've shot a couple of those out of Hack's H+R. They'll wake you up for sure.

Can't comment on the leading. I didn't have to clean his gun!

After the leading issues I've had in the 44 mag with supposedly "Hard Cast" bullets at very reasonable speeds I haven't shot lead bullets yet in my 45/70. Just coated and jacketed.

I've lost any hope of figuring up how many lead practice level bullets, mostly HSM Cowboy loads, I've already fired through it .... so far, no lead buildup .... I have fired ten or more full power jacketed rounds from several other manufactures but so far, my favorite has been the HSM lead Bear loads .... I'd love to be wrong but due to the fact I seriously doubt I'll ever fire very many full power hunting rounds through our 45-70, I don't anticipate a significant issue with barrel leading .... I do need to find out it rounds fired out of a clean barrel hit as opposed to those that are fired from a "dirty" barrel .... I've never owned a rifle that had to be prefired prior to taking it hunting so as to ensure accuracy but I've heard of it happening

Except for the first twenty rounds, I have only shot 405 grain hard cast flat nose bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. (#1 Buffalo) through my .45-70. I have not had any leading problems but I am not shooting HSM bear load velocities. The first 20 rounds I put through my .45-70 were Remington 300 grain JHP - since then it has been handloads.
I do plan to order the hi-tek coated 405 grain bullets the next time I need bullets for the .45-70. I have no plans on loading +P loads. The rifle may take it but my shoulder ain't in the mood.

Steve the MBC coated 405's and 300's are what I've been using in my 45/70. I liked them so much I just ordered 44 mags.
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=356

Steve51 wrote:I have no plans on loading +P loads. The rifle may take it but my shoulder ain't in the mood.

when we go to Texas in January I hope to have a gunsmith install a mercury recoil suppressor in our 45-70 .... I may also have him upgrade the recoil pad .... will hold off having it Mag-na-ported until I see how shoots after suppressor install and recoil pad upgrade

Squatch wrote:Steve the MBC coated 405's and 300's are what I've been using in my 45/70. I liked them so much I just ordered 44 mags.
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=356

I have been using the .44 hard cast MBC coated LSWC (Keith) in my .44 mags & .44+P loads. I really like them and have not had any leading.

Good to know. I bought some samples of those both with and without the coating. I hope to load some soon.

Haven't had any leading with the Bear loads in my H&R 45-70. Of course they kick so much that I really haven't put many rounds down range. A box of 20 contains 4 small boxes of 5. To date, I have not used more than one small box at a secession. I usually shoot the HSM cowboy loads, which are nice and mild, and then end with a round or two of the bear loads. The bear loads will tear you up.

Hack ....

does your 45-70 have a recoil pad

Unlike the Henry 45-70s, my H&R Handirifle has a rubber butt plate. I wouldn't call it a recall pad, however. Also, it is a relatively light 7 lbs single shot rifle.

Hack wrote:

Unlike the Henry 45-70s, my H&R Handirifle has a rubber butt plate. I wouldn't call it a recall pad, however. Also, it is a relatively light 7 lbs single shot rifle.

10-4 .... our Henry H010 [b] https://www.henryrifles.com/rifles/ ... ction/[/b] also weighs about 7 lbs (empty) but it does have a pretty good recoil pad

If you really want to experience a new level of pain shoot those bear loads out of an 1886 with a crescent butt plate, makes for a nice deep purple bruise.

Rdrcr56 wrote:If you really want to experience a new level of pain shoot those bear loads out of an 1886 with a crescent butt plate, makes for a nice deep purple bruise.

as one who had to take blood thinning medication, I need all of the recoil softening possible

My 1886 is why I got a past recoil pad, makes for a much happier shoulder