.45/70 Shotshell?

C

Cosmoline

New member
Does anyone make a .45/70 shotshell? I've seen .22 win mag shotshells and .45 Colt shotshells, but nothing for the really big cartridges. If nobody makes one, is it possible to make it yourself?
 
GRH. While it is possible to make shotshells for the 45-70, I'm not sure they would be very effective at any great distance. Gun writer John Wooters experimented with shotshells in the 45-70, and said that shot loaded in brass with out some kind of protection would lead the barrel badly.With some kind of protection, (I think he used cut down .410 shotshell sleeves) and a gac check to close off the casing, the patterns would be blown with a large hole in the middle, making them a very short range proposition at best.
Paul B.
 
Anyone tried .410 shotshells in the 45-70?

I've read that this works, although sometimes the head of the shell ruptures. I think it would be a useful capability to have in a Marlin or Ruger 45-70 for small game or pests.
 
I think you'd have to modify the .410 hull. The .45-70 Gov't case is only 2.1" and even the short .410's are 2.5".

.410 shells just won't fit in my .45-70.

Doc Hudson
 
It is a somewhat silly idea, since you could get more from a simple shotgun. The reason I'd like one is I hunt in Alaska, where my .45/70 is a must-carry. Right now I've got to lug around two weapons when I'm hunting small game, at least when I'm on a southern exposure slope where the bears could be waking up (we had a warm winter). If I could get some .45/70 shotshells, my Marlin could nail small game and work as my bear gun with the big Buffalo Bore slugs. I have some .45 Colt shotshells I could use in my Ruger, but they're just not powerful enough to hunt big bunnies or ptarmigan. I think they're more for snakes or starling. A .410 would be sufficient, however. There's just got to be a way to turn a big .45/70 cartridge into a de facto .410. Paul B's comments make me think the idea is doomed, though.
 
An a;ternative suggestion

Go ahead and carry your .45 LC Blackhawk, and load it with two power-levels of cartridges, and maybe even two bullet types.

If you reload, you should be able to make two different bullets shoot to the same point of aim with tailored loads. Use one bullet for heavy work, such and bruin bashing, and the other for head shooting ptarmigan and snowshoe hares. Maybe a lead roundnose for the small stuff and a heavy SWC for the heavy work.

Doc
 
Seems to me like you could use 45 pistol shot capsules (if they are avail) or sharpen the case mouth of a 45-70 casing and use it to cut a thick wad maybe 3/8" or so from some thick fiber material and use it for the overpowder wad-then put in shot and top off with a gas check or more cardboard...Just a thought...Dick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top