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Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
My 45/70 has only ever fired 5 jacketed rounds, 3 for me to see where it was shooting from the factory and one each by my son and a mate that were with me at the time.
For plinking loads I use lee 340gr at around 1200fps have tried 3 different powders and 2 of them will put 5 shots under 1.5" at 50 the 3rd wouldn't do better than 3" no matter what I tried.
The other load I have uses a NOE 405gr, as a HP it weighs 370gr driven at over 1600fps it has proven adequate for any game I hunt. It will put 5 shots under 2" at 100 with either the HP or FP
For plinking loads I use lee 340gr at around 1200fps have tried 3 different powders and 2 of them will put 5 shots under 1.5" at 50 the 3rd wouldn't do better than 3" no matter what I tried.
The other load I have uses a NOE 405gr, as a HP it weighs 370gr driven at over 1600fps it has proven adequate for any game I hunt. It will put 5 shots under 2" at 100 with either the HP or FP
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- Kissmybrass
- Cattle Driver
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- Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 1:00 pm
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Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
And the winner is...
Hornady Leverevolution. These will put meat on the table! Problem is I love the cowboy loads that kick way less but couldn't keep them within a 8 inch group at 50 yds. I'm determined to start reloading so I need advice on a happy medium here. The Hornady bullets are expensive and forces me to use the shorter cartridge. Don't like that. I have a bunch of normal 45-70s so need to figure out a decent bullet and powder combination.
Hornady Leverevolution. These will put meat on the table! Problem is I love the cowboy loads that kick way less but couldn't keep them within a 8 inch group at 50 yds. I'm determined to start reloading so I need advice on a happy medium here. The Hornady bullets are expensive and forces me to use the shorter cartridge. Don't like that. I have a bunch of normal 45-70s so need to figure out a decent bullet and powder combination.
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H010G 45-70
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
- Vaquero
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Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
heck check out the reloading section, you may find what your looking for in there.
If not ask and I'm pretty sure one of the many that load for that cal. will speak up.
RP
If not ask and I'm pretty sure one of the many that load for that cal. will speak up.
RP
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Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
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Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
For sure, bullet diameter is very important with lead!!! Undersized bullets or improper alloy can destroy accuracy. At the very least slug your barrels with a dead soft round ball, there are instructions online.Unless you are very lucky, one load is not going to work well in all your guns. Here is a source for oval fish sinkers if you don’t want to look locally… https://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulle ... n=slug.htm
I like cowboy loads for casual plinking, using Trail Boss so I cannot possibly get a double charge. OTH I don’t like using lead for a lot of reasons. I don’t like handling it or being exposed to fumes when shooting. This is a purely personal choice…
If you shoot a .45/70 more than a couple of boxes per year you need to reload. I quit that caliber because of shoulder pain, and switched to .44 Mag.
John Davies
Spokane WA
I like cowboy loads for casual plinking, using Trail Boss so I cannot possibly get a double charge. OTH I don’t like using lead for a lot of reasons. I don’t like handling it or being exposed to fumes when shooting. This is a purely personal choice…
If you shoot a .45/70 more than a couple of boxes per year you need to reload. I quit that caliber because of shoulder pain, and switched to .44 Mag.
John Davies
Spokane WA
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Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
Agree on slugging the barrel if you want to shoot lead. What powder do you have available in your area?
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H001T .22LR
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BBS .41 MAG
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- Kissmybrass
- Cattle Driver
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2021 1:00 pm
- Location: Issaquah
Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
Just getting started in reloading so not sure what powders but I'm just outside Seattle and there are lots of Bass Pros and Sportsmans Warehouses around me. Not understanding the "egg" sinkers at all. (Newbie lol)
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H010G 45-70
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
H006M Big Boy Classic .357
Sig 320 XCompact
S&W 686 Plus 5"
Rem 870 Tac
-
- Cattle Driver
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- Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 10:48 pm
- Location: Spokane WA
Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
LOl, that is why I said instructions on “slugging a barrel” are online. You drive a soft lead slug (round ball or a sinker) through from one end to the other and measure it. You need to get a reloading 101 book, I really like the “ABCs of Reloading”, but there are many others.Kissmybrass wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 3:38 pmJust getting started in reloading so not sure what powders but I'm just outside Seattle and there are lots of Bass Pros and Sportsmans Warehouses around me. Not understanding the "egg" sinkers at all. (Newbie lol)
https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading- ... 245&sr=8-2
John Davies
Spokane WA
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Re: Not sure how I feel about Cowboy loads...
I'm a shooter, not a hunter! Find an LGS ( local gun shop ) In your area that leans toward Skeet & Trap and talk with them about recoil reduction. When I first started out in "C" class I was shooting "Wally's World" 1&1/8 oz. loads in a stock Browning BT-99. By the time I was promoted to "AA" my loads were reloaded Winchester "AA"s 7/8 oz. and my gun had gained about a pound of lead shot in the butt...
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