Has anyone out there tried using Hornady XTP 250gn HP in a 45/75? looking at reducing the recoil for the young lad and might shoot flatter as a bonus.

Al.

Accuracy will be poor, the 45-70 is 0.458" & the 45colt is .452-.454". Maybe a light loaded 300gr lead bullet?

Al

Don't use pistol bullets (.452") in a 45-70. Use the light rifle bullets such as the Hornady or Sierra 250 grain which are .458" diameter. In many 45-70 barrels (especially the older ones) you will find that the pistol bullets are very inaccurate and some will even tumble within 50 yards.

I have shot a lot of 45-70 round ball loads. Get the .458 balls, load one or two, and they make a very good plinking load with low recoil and twice the chance of hitting the target.

Ray

You can try cast lead pistol bullets (unsized and pan lubed). They work in my friends Sharps for plinking. I was surprised that they work, but they do in his rifle.

I built a 45/70 with a Shilen .452" groove barrel, so I COULD shoot the .452" bullets.

It is not near as accurate as my 45acp Mauser, also made with a Shilen .452" barrel.

For quiet wimpy loads in the .458" groove 45/70, I like:
1) a .457" soft lead ball over two polypropele wads cut with overchamfered 45/70 case mouth, 0.5 gr Bullseye and the bullet seated deep in the case to compress the powder. It sounds like pellet gun and goes through an inch of wood.
2) 145 gr button bullets as descibed in the rec.guns FAQ on ultra light loads:
http://www.recguns.com/Sources/VIIE7.html
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/small_charges.htm

http://www.westernbullet.com/cbip/b457130.html

Thanks for the imput guys, several handy suggestions.
At what speed could I push the lead projectiles without fouling problems? My 1895 is fitted with the micro-groove barrel.

Regards,

I been playing with Lasercast 300 gr .458 flatnose in my 45/70 Guide Gun looking for a pistol power 1000-1200 fps or so for plinking and practicing. For these speeds rifle powders are too slow, so a fella would do well to get the Lyman cast bullet manual for guidance.