I handload for my Marlin 1895 45-70; and I have just bought an H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic in the same caliber. According to the Hodgdon manual, and others, the modern Marlin 1895 can safely be loaded to 40,000 CUP or 40,000 psi (which produces 35%-45% higher velocities than most factory 45-70 ammo). The Ruger #1 and most types of bolt action rifles chambered for the 45-70 can be loaded to even higher levels safely -- 50,000 CUP. I have heard of instances in which people loaded the H&R or NEF single-shot rifles such as my Buffalo Classic to much higher pressure levels than that without the guns failing, although I don't know that it is necessarily a good idea. Would I be on reasonably safe ground in loading the Buffalo Classic to the levels of the Marlin handloads -- 40,000 CUP or 40,000 psi? What about the Ruger #1/bolt action level of 50,000 CUP?

link to hot handi rifle 45/70 loads

some handi rifle 45/70 strength calculations

So what that second link is saying is that the Handi should be able to take repeated Ruger#1 loads with no problem.... did I translate that correctly?

Ian

That second link calculates that there is allot of safety margin for 50 kpsi.

The first link would imply, by saami's 1.35 ratio for proofing center fire rifles, that my 45/70 handi rifle is good for 65 kpsi.

That turns out to be academic, as with 405 gr. and IMR4895, my shoulder can only take the recoil with a 20kpsi load once a year, and a 17.5 kpsi load regularly.

--
A society that teaches evolution as fact will breed a generation of atheists that will destroy the society. It is Darwinian.

I'm just finishing up a Siamese Mauser in 45/70. Did a recoil calc using max loads with 550gr bullets in a 9.5 lb rifle, comes out to 57ft lbs. A max loaded 30/06 (also 9.5lbs) using 220gr bullets works out to 22ft lbs. I don't think I'll be shooting too many 550's off the bench or offhand either!

When you calculate the recoil, the gun velocity, the butt area, and the recoil pad compliance enter in as well.

I could take 100 foot pounds of recoil from a 100 pound rifle no problem. See what I mean?

Clark: thanks for the links. That information is helpful. Your test is a little scary. I hope that if you fire any more loads at 87k psi, you will not be holding onto the rifle at the time.

BigBrass

Aren't some of those little Handi-Rifles chambered for .250'06 and .270 Win right from the factory? If so, the .270 Win can run to 52,000 C.U.P.