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45-70 shot shells

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17 June 2001, 05:30
Yukoner
45-70 shot shells
I am sure that I have read before, where they have loaded shot into strait walled cases. Does anyone have any info on this or know where I can find out the procedure on how to do this?

Thanks,

Daryl

17 June 2001, 09:03
Paul B
Daryl. I'm sure it can be done, but I doubt it will work very well. John Wooters wrote in his book (THE COMPLETE BOOK OF PRACTICAL HANDLOADING)of trying it, and it did not work well. The pattern was destroyed by the spin of the rifling.
It's a good read, by the way, but long out of print. You can find it by searching Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com in the used book section.
He describes what he calls his "pawn shop" load. Three .45 caliber balls in the 45-70.
Maybe your local library will have a copy. It's well worth reading.
Paul B.
20 June 2001, 06:11
scot
I have done it in 45-70. Simply use .410 data. I used "poly patches", the kind used for muzzle loaders, as wads. Used a 45 cal gascheck for a top wad. Even easiar but not reccommended, use 2 1/2" 410 shells. Old timers told me about this. I guess it used to be a relatively common practice. It works, the brass splits but no gas leaks. For gosh sakes wear shooting glasses!! Have fun.

[This message has been edited by scot (edited 06-23-2001).]

20 June 2001, 13:31
Yukoner
Thanks for the help guys,
I don't need any major firepower. All I need is something that I can kill a few ptarmigan with. It is usually not to hard to get within 10-15 yards of them. In the past, I have been just throwing rocks to get a couple to eat. Sometimes we eat birds, sometimes we don't. I am sure that a little shot out of my 45-70 will improve our dinner menu.