45-70 BFR ... ammo options?

P

P95Carry

New member
My severe ''hand-cannon-itis'' has again gotten the better of me! I have ordered ''Mr Large'' ... the BFR in 45-70.

This is a cal I have no real experience with and am after info/suggestions re ammo choice. What is out there that is findable and useful ... manufacture, bullet weight etc. And also .. could be I'll also weaken and get some dies for this and reload later .... so any input on that front also useful.

I just adore BIG handguns ..... must be something embarrassingly Freudian! :D
 
Congratulations!

I've been jonesing for a BFR in .45-70 a long time. When I win the lottery, I want to try some of my 450gr blackpowder Creedmoor Rolling Block loads in the BFR I buy. In the meantime, I've been having a lot of fun with blackpowder .44 round ball loads in my .44 Special S&W Model 696. Believe it or not, cleanup with the stainless L-frame is really not that bad!
 
The 405gr Remington loads are easier on the shooter than the Winchester 300gr loads. I personally like 36gr of 3031 under a 405 cast for plinking. I shoot everything from 325 gr Lyman HP to 535 postel. The 535's will get your attention. Bouncing a milk jug around a hillside at 200 yards is just too much fun.
 
Thx for some feedback.. Kaboom ..... I am not familiar with the 3031 powder .. does this have any near equivalent in other makes?
The 405gr Remington loads are easier on the shooter than the Winchester 300gr loads.
Click to expand...
Also ....... re these loads ... I would initially expect the heavier bullet to be more punishing but .... is this here a function of just ''power'' in the load ... is the 300 grainer just a ''hot'' load?

I'll have to build up some cases if i reload but want to choose carefully with my purchases of factory. I'm expecting high costs too .. right?
 
P95Carry I have only bought two boxes of factory ammo. 1 Remington 405 and 1 Winchester 300. When I started playing with the 45/70 I ordered brass from Starline. $87 for 250. Not sure about a substitute for IMR 3031 but someone here will be able to help you. What I noticed about the 300 verses the 405 factory load was the 300 are running about 1800 fps or a little better. To me it makes for more muzzle flip. Either are very contollable. I also load XMP 5744. This powder is dirty but totally insensative to case position for reduced loads. Reloader 7 is a very good powder for this caliber. Clean burning. Dig up a copy of the latest Lyman reloading book. 48th edition I think. Just about everything you need is in here. Have fun.
 
Thx again Kaboom ...... I have Lyman #47 ....should have looked there ...... in fact, quite a bit of choice. Also quite forgot I have Speer #13 .. more useful stuff there. I have R7 available and notice too that SR4759 is mentioned for reduced loads .. I have masses of that! Even 2400 allows for some options .... plenty of that too.

Looks like some experimentation is in order!
 
Reloader #7...

Can make for some HEALTHY .45-70 loads, so be careful. It's what I use to push those 405gr bullets up to 2100fps, in my Ruger #1, and they recoil like a Mack Truck. So in a 10" BFR... :eek:
 
Gewehr .. I shall be pretty cautious .. always am with new loads. I have ordered up 250 Starline cases .. and tho I was gonna cast and size my bullets have opted for easy option! Have ordered 500 of the Laser-cast 405 grainers ... should be about what I want ..... so we'll see.

I'll drop back with some info later when I get to load and shoot ''Mr Large''! :p
 
There are 3 classes of commercial ammo for the 45/70

Cowboy Loads
Out of a rifle, the Rem 405 gr and all cowboy loads are </= 1,400 fps.

The Win 300 grain JHP loads are "moderate" loads, same with the new Hornady 350 gr JHP. Moving at about 1,900 fps. The PMC load is hotter. Recoil could be "interesting in the BFR.

Buffalo Bore and Garrett create some real shoulder crushers. I would not suggest these in a BFR.
 
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