[Joe_Jeep]

im considering buying a 45-70 handi.
how do I know what ammo is safe to shoot?
I looked at different factory loads,
some in 1500 fps range, saw some around 2000fps.
from 300 gr to 405 gr.
its on an sb2 frame. but im clueless about 45-70.
thx!
Joe.

 

[gene_225]

Make sure you actually have an SB2 frame. The conservative approach would be to use trapdoor loads.

 

[quickdtoo]

For an SB2 rifle any factory ammo that can be chambered will work as far the as rifle is concerned, your body may be the ultimate deciding factor though due to recoil on the warmer loads. The Handi was factory chambered in 500 S&W (SAAMI MAP 60kpsi) if that tells you anything about frame capability. The M155 Shikari 45-70 would be limited to trapdoor SAAMI loads though due to the cast iron frame. 45-70 Handis and Buffalo Classics (ejectors) made prior to ~2006 had short throats, so some heavy bullet offerings at SAAMI 2.55" or longer COL like Garret offers won't chamber without throating the barrel first. I've used Barnes modern rifle data for the 300gr TSX which is loaded to 55kpsi with no issues...from a lead sled! A steady diet of those Ruger level loads would certainly take a toll on the underlug eventually, but I'm also sure I would fail long before that happened!! Most handloaders stick with 40kpsi levergun or 28kpsi SAAMI Trapdoor loads which work fine for normal 45-70 hunting ranges.

Leverevolution 325gr FTX ammo shot good for me.

Tim

 

[Ocho]

For something incredibly comfortable, Hornady put out some ammo with their 410gr subx bullets. I needed brass a couple years ago so I picked some up and it felt positively civilized. I've fired some of the buffalo bore and underwood +p stuff (using a sb2 frame) and the gun was fine. My shoulder was less pleased with me. Leverevolution is a nice middle of the pack style load, I just hate that the brass is slightly shorter.

 

[Joe_Jeep]

the lever revolution is readily available, and not super expensive, so that would be a good option. thx!

 

[45/70fan]

Quick summed it up well above. Are you a reloader? Recoil climbs fast above 1800 fps, especially off the bench. I used to load 300 gr Remington hollow points at 2100 fps. Standing got your attention but off the bench they just plain hurt. I backed them off to 2000 fps and while still stiff they were a little more tolerable, at least enough to verify zero. Whitetails hated both loads, tracking was straight down lol. Anything above 1800 fps I strongly recommend a lead sled for range time...

 

[Joe_Jeep]

Quick summed it up well above. Are you a reloader? Recoil climbs fast above 1800 fps, especially off the bench. I used to load 300 gr Remington hollow points at 2100 fps. Standing got your attention but off the bench they just plain hurt. I backed them off to 2000 fps and while still stiff they were a little more tolerable, at least enough to verify zero. Whitetails hated both loads, tracking was straight down lol. Anything above 1800 fps I strongly recommend a lead sled for range time...

I am just starting into reloading.
we have a new rock chucker Supreme,
but we are total rookies. im starting with straight wall pistol rounds. 44 mag, 357 mag/max.

I have wanted a lead sled, but heard bad things about it damaging stocks.

I shoot 300 win mag, and 375 H&H mag pretty regularly. I would likley magnaport the 45-70. i have a couple magnaported guns, it helps. it takes away much of the muzzle jump. makes it more of a push type recoil. my 375 with factory loads, kicks like a hottly loaded 30-06. the 300 win mag is going in for porting soon.

LGS has a decent looking h&r 45-70, and a 223. both are priced at $399, both are scoped. I offered him 350 cash for the 45-70, he passed. but its been there a long time. he might come around pretty soon.

 

[quickdtoo]

I have wanted a lead sled, but heard bad things about it damaging stocks.

I think shooters that weight the sled so it can't move are the cause of that, I never put that much weight, if any weight in it, just used the sled weight to reduce recoil travel, not completely negate it, if the sled can't move, the stock could be damaged. I did add some weight to the sled when shooting the 50-140 (500NE equivalent load), but the sled could still move.

Tim

 

[Ocho]

The nice thing about 45-70 is it’s a straight wall, so functionally identical to the rounds you are already loading. For just plinking I like 400ish grain projectiles traveling around 1300 fps. Since I’m never shooting that many rounds in a session, while I have regular dies I actually picked up a lee loader for 45-70. I find the very manual process relaxing, and 20-40 rounds is about all I’ll want to shoot anyways.

I just picked up a new marlin that I’ll be putting a break on, but my handis aren’t ported and if I keep my loads reasonable they aren’t bad. Using a bc stock with a steel buttplate was fine for trapdoor safe loads. It was not enjoyable with the lever only loads.

 

[336ER]

I have owned five 45-70s and still have one, a new Marlin Trapper. I also own three .300mags, 325WSM, three .338mags, .35 Whelen, 9.3x62, .444 and .450 Marlin. Most of what I shot in my 45-70s was either LE (325gr @ 2050 FPS) or 300gr @ 2100. IMO, recoil is not bothersome especially if you're used to other medium or big bores.

Enjoy your new rifle 👍

 

[Joe_Jeep]

I have owned five 45-70s and still have one, a new Marlin Trapper. I also own three .300mags, 325WSM, three .338mags, .35 Whelen, 9.3x62, .444 and .450 Marlin. Most of what I shot in my 45-70s was either LE (325gr @ 2050 FPS) or 300gr @ 2100. IMO, recoil is not bothersome especially if you're used to other medium or big bores.

Enjoy your new rifle 👍

what does the 9.3 x 62 kick like?
I have no clue about them.

 

[gene_225]

Would be good to know what the 9.3X62 kicks like and many others as well. But...

 

[garandsrus]

A 45-70 loaded with a 400gr cast bullet and a relatively light load of Red Dot or Unique is a joy to shoot and still whacks steel pretty hard. I am sure it would do a number on a deer at 100 yds or less.

 

[quickdtoo]

what does the 9.3 x 62 kick like?

Here's a recoil table for comparison of different rounds including rifle weight. I can tell you that a 270gr bullet @ 2300-2500ps from my 6¼lb 9.3x62 Superlight isn't fun to shoot from the bench! It's pretty much the equivelent of a 35 Whelen AI in case capacity and performance.

Tim

Rifle Recoil Table

 

[336ER]

what does the 9.3 x 62 kick like?
I have no clue about them.

I've owned two of them a CZ550 Carbine and a Ruger #1S. To my shoulder it kicks harder than the .35 Whelen, but less than my BLR/.450. Typical loads are 286gr @ 2350 and 250gr @ 2550.

 

[treeslayer]

lead sled........i never weighted it but i did destroy a cheap scope or two with it. maybe they would have failed any way? hard to say. any thing i need a sled for, i dont really want it, you all have confirmed my thought of not really wanting a 4570 very much. i will use a maxi pad at the bench. my shoulders dont need any help hurting.

 

[Joe_Jeep]

i never figured the 35 whelen kicked that much? i always assumed it was similar to an -06?

 

[quickdtoo]

i never figured the 35 whelen kicked that much? i always assumed it was similar to an -06?

Bullet weight is one of the factors contributing to recoil, powder charge weight, velocity and rifle weight are the other major factors, 35 Whelen bullet weight starts are 200gr typically.

Tim

JBM - Calculations - Recoil

www.jbmballistics.com

 

[cvabobcat]

corbon or grizzly zmmo

 

[336ER]

In my searches, Corbon and Grizzly are much higher priced than other companies that load similar (same?) loads at about 1/2 the price. I recently bought a couple boxes of .444 from one of them at $35/box.