Lads,

Amazing... having been around at the development of this cartridge I finally own one, and have found a great whitetail load for same.

A friend had taken an 1886 Win in trade, and it came w/100rnds of brass and Lee dies in perfect shape. Sooo.... he gives me the brass and dies and asks if I'd load up a dozen BP loads for him.

Since I always shoot the first reload for proof in my own guns, I had to buy a 45/70. Well... I settled on a 45/70 carbine barrel for my Contender topped w/a 1/5 X 4 Weaver.

Loaded up 60gr of ffg (by wt) under a 405gr fp w/minimal crimp (told my friend to load one/time in the 1886) and grabbed a "proof" for the Contender.

Set up a target on the 50yd stump, bore sighted, collimated and then touched it off!!
Since the "tender" is lighter than my BP rifles, it gave a satisfyingly greater "shove" along w/a huge cloud of brimstone and flame. Didn't shoot for group.

Didn't "feel" over powered, so I packed off the rest of the loads to Dave.

So now, I've got 100+ brass, 200+ bullets, dies and a rifle. Back to the bench.

Loaded up some 300gr HP's over 47gr of IMR 3031 and sighted in on the 100yd stump. "Walked" a few rounds into the X ring and then shot a 1.5", 5 shot group from a shaky rest. Recoil was pleasant.

Since I've been "channelling" Elmer Keith lately, I think I'll use this one for whitetails this fall!!

Guess I'm now on the lookout for another "Buffl'r" gun!!

Mike

An excellent bullet for those 45/70's is the Lyman-Gould 457122HP. Mine weigh 342 grains when cast from wheelweights. I use 65 grains of Swiss FFg or 43 grains of IMR 4064 with this bullet and a Wonderwad on top of the powder charge for a MV of 1350 FPS from either the BP or smokeless load. A real game-getting bullet and accurate too.