I read somewhere that the .45-70 designation refers to .45 with 70 grains of blackpowder. Is this true? How does this blackpowder load compare to the modern factory smokeless loads? Do they keep them light for the older guns?

Yes.
(In major manufacturers' ammo) they provide similar pressures, but the modern bullets work better.
Yes.

George

I actually read that 45/70 reffered to .45 caliber in the year 1870 hence 45/70. 1870 being the year it was first adopted by the Americans as there service cartridge (correct me if I am wrond). It is such a great caliber it is a shame their military did away with it, especially now with all the modern stoked up loads

Modern 45/70 loads in a strong action such as a marlin or Ruger #1 & siamese mauser derivitaves (the latter two being stronger than the marlin) will hander modern smokeless loads that make the original loading which I think was a 500 gr bullet at 900 fps. Even now a packet of 405 gr rem factory 45/70 will deliver velocity of around 1300 fps while a good handload can get 1850 fps, which is about what I load to in my 1895 Marlin with woodleigh 405 gr 45/70 bullets.

The original designation was a 45 caliber bullet with 70 grains of blackpowder, thus 45/70. The bullet was a soft lead 400 grain bullet that went around 1000-1200 fps, depending on bbl length.

In my modern winchester 1886 lever gun w/ 26" bbl, I can get 2200 fps from a 405 gr bullet and 2000 fps from a 440 gr hardcast bullet. These loads are NOT for your grandfathers 45/70. The factories are liability limited to low pressure loads to keep some moron from shooting them out of an original Springfield "trapdoor" rifle and blowing himself up. This is why Marlin/Hornady came out with the 450 Marlin, it is just a 45/70 with a belt on it to keep said morons from blowing themselves up shooting vintage guns with high pressure ammo.

45 Caliber, 70 grains of black powder and a 500 grain lead bullet. Mounted troops complained about the recoil so there was a load made for them. 45 Caliber, 50 grains of black powder and a 400 grain bullet. 45-70 was adapted as the US military round in 1873 in the 1873 Springfield Trapdoor rifles and carbines.

Thanks for the info everybody. These old cartridges can have some interesting history! Actually, I was looking at this cartridge for a comparison to a load I'm trying in my 209x50 Encore pistol, which is a 470 grain Maxihunter with 70 grains of 777. Should be pretty close, except for the pistol barrel.

[ 08-14-2002, 17:11: Message edited by: savageshooter ]