45-70

[smokepolehall]

Any of y'all use black powder loading up cartridges? I know they used to put 70 grs. in them. I am really thinking of getting a H&R Buffalo gun like bigblue has. I reckon they still make them.

[DocHolladay]

As far as I know you can still purchase them.

www.hr1871.com

[smokepolehall]

Thanks Doc, it appears i can find one to buy. Now i just need to stash money away from my Mrs. I can take the heat after i get it.

[GrampaJer]

smokepolehall said:

Thanks Doc, it appears i can find one to buy. Now i just need to stash money away from my Mrs. I can take the heat after i get it.

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Simple way out of that... Just buy it, and send it to yours. Put your address in the middle and in the upper Left corner put FROM SOMEONE WHO LOVE'S YOU.. then when it arrives, Act surprised, hug, and kiss your wife for the wonderful consideration.. ;D........ Your all set..

[smokepolehall]

So i see no one uses blk. powder in their 45-70's

[bigblue]

I've tried Triple 7, but not black powder. I had marginal results with the 777 at the range. The black powder always seemed like too much trouble to clean to make it worth my efforts. There are many that shoot in BPCR competition that use the H+R 1871 Buffalo Classic. It's a great alternative to much more costly rifles and easily withstands the pressures of modern level 2 45/70 loads. That's something many of the more costly alternatives can't say. I still see the H+R BC on www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Category/325/Guns/Rifles/Harrington-Richardson-Rifles.htm for around $349.
Don

[smokepolehall]

I spect it would be abit more cleaning to do. Don't think it would be more than the 2 ML's i have. Reckon i would use the cartidge grade blk. powder. Plus use lead bullets, like back in olden days of yore!

[bigblue]

I've read about using paper patched bullets. It seems like that's the way most black powder cartridge users go. I just tried it with my usual 405gr. hard cast bullets.
Don

[bubbawitha4570]

I don't use BP in my 45/70's but I do know many persons who do. I don't feel the need to go through all the cleaning chores associated with BP, but the guys that do shoot it claim is isn't too much different than smokeless in the cleaning amount of work.

I do know they seem to get much better shot-to-shot consistency with BP. I have tried some substitutes, but didn't get even mediocre results with them.....

[bubbawitha4570]

BB, paper patching is something that is just re-catching on in the BP world. Not really what everyone is doing now.


And if you can get 70 grains of BP into that case....you are doing pretty good. Things have changed a bit. There isn't room for that much powder anymore. If you use some very good compaction then you can get close.... It mostly has to do with changes in the powders since the cartridges introduction as we actually have a bit more room in the cases now than originally. And if one pulls apart an original loaded cartridge, the powder comes out in a "lump"....they somehow did get that much compaction onto the powder.

[bubbawitha4570]

If you are truly interested in making that gun shoot in the original way then here is the "bible" for this:

www.the45-70book.com/

The information in this book will help you shoot this cartridge to the best of your ability with BP. Most of the info is geared towards Trapdoor shooters, but the loading info will help anyone wanting the "one true way" with Black.

[smokepolehall]

Thanks, i had also read that it wasn't easy tp cram 70 gr. of blk. in the case. I will try to get a reasonal amount in case. Don't reckon i will be shooting any long distance with the punkin chunker.

[smokepolehall]

I thought about what y'all have posted on the blk. powder issue and not loading it as its harder to clean. It is and its corrosive! Thats what came to me loud and clear. I have 2 ML's that must be taken care of right now when i shoot them. I don't need a 3rd to constantly clean and baby. Y'all be wiser than i was, but i am learning even at an older age. I will reload smokeless powder and enjoy the rifle and shoot it more. I guess i will look at those 300-350 gr. cast bullets, maybe some GC's to stop hot gas messing up base of bullets.