45-70 Single Shot Government accuracy

[White Smoke]

Great range session! I was worried about the wind, but it was basically dead calm when we shot this morning. I re-sighted the scope at 50 yards and then moved out to 100. The ladder was from 52.0 grains of Vihtavouri N120 to 54.0 grains using a Hornady 250-grain MonoFlex bullet. I know, I know...54.0 is just over max, but my groupings dictated that I shoot it to see. There were no pressure signs and all went well. 53.0 grains grouped at 1.5" (4 rounds) and the 53.5 grains grouped at 1 5/16" at 2533 f/s. I am DONE! Just as an FYI, I talked with the techs at Henry about the accuracy expectations and some other stuff. That was absolutely the BEST customer service I have ever encountered. Those guys were amazingly helpful. Another FYI...My plinking loads are 44.0 grains of IMR 4198 with a Berry's 350 RS 45-70 bullet at 1788 f/s and my "Mouse Fart's" are 30 grains of IMR 4198 with the same Berry's bullet at 1200 f/s. The Mouse Farts still kick a bit, so I might drop them down to 25 grains in the future. Now to go out and try the hunting load on a coyote. I'm suspecting the innards will be like jelly!

[5shot]

I'm glad you got it sorted out! I've played with heavy .45/70 loads myself. In a Ruger #1 the 400 gr. Speers were popping out at over 1900 fps and out of a BFR 10" revolver they were over 1500 fps. Of course I was younger and more foolish back then......in my early 60's.

[Hatchdog]

I'm glad you got it sorted out! I've played with heavy .45/70 loads myself. In a Ruger #1 the 400 gr. Speers were popping out at over 1900 fps and out of a BFR 10" revolver they were over 1500 fps. Of course I was younger and more foolish back then......in my early 60's.

Those were the days.