I've got an antelope hunt coming up this fall and want to use the Shiloh Sharps 1874 in 45-70 that I picked up this spring. Obviously I am not going to be making 300yd shots, but feel I should be good out to 150 with the vernier sights. Would I be better off with a 330-340 grain hollow point/flat point or would the 405gr FP be a better choice? I just don't think I need the extra energy of the big bullet and the potential of flatter trajectory with the lighter one would seem to be a big plus. I haven't decided to use lead or jacketed yet, but most likely will use smokeless powder. I am kinda leaning towards the 330 gr Gould HP cast bullet....

So, what say ye?

I's say, shoot your rifle out to 300 yards and make a drop chart to take hunting with you. Which ever bullet gives better accuracy. I have my drop chart taped to the stock of my 7 mag, have not yet made one for my big guns, will not shoot big game at long yardage

I got great accuracy with my Marlin 1895CB using 50 grs. of IMR-4064 and a 460 gr. LBT gas check. Recoil is right up there but accuracy was a good MOA with that load and it chronographed at 1640 fps. I would, however, start about 10% under that and work up. I believe the Shiloh Sharps is a good strong action made from modern steels but no sense in pushing it.

gzig5--The Gould 330 grain hollowpoint is a good bullet, but is really destructive of meat. On top of that, your Shiloh has a 1-18 twist if it was made in the last 10 years or so, and probably won't shoot the Gould that well. I know my Shilohs won't shoot the Gould. The 1895 Marlin has a 1-20 twist, and the Gould is a good choice there, accurate with that slower twist, and it keeps the recoil down.

Your best bet in the Shiloh is the Lyman 457193 420 grain FN. It shoots in the Shiloh AND the Marlin--it does in mine, anyway--and will shoot through and through deer and elk at any distance you are likely to hit one. Try the 457193 with 37.5 grains of IMR 3031, and you will probably never shoot another load in your rifle.

The 405gr will punch a nice clean hole that you can eat up to.

I expect the 300-350gr will open up and behaive like a fast bullets.

Either will do the job, but I would go with the 405gr.

sharpsguy,
Thanks, that is exactly the kind of input I was looking for, keep it coming. I am just starting with this rifle and won't have much developement time. I have yet to fire it, but will hopefully this weekend. I do have a 535gr. Postell mold (457132) but I'm not sure that relatively pointy nose would work as well on game as a FP. With a .45 caliber the nose shape is probably a moot point on light game though.

Any loads with Varget? My Lyman manual is old and doesn't have some of the new powders and I've got a lot of Varget.

Hodgdon lists Varget loads.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Make sure to practice your RANGE estimastion. Open country can really mess up your guesses.

Keith

gzig5--The Lyman Postell will work, and is accurate in the Shiloh with the same 37.5 grain powder charge of IMR 3031. You need to cast either bullet soft, 30-1 lead to tin. I don't have any loads with Varget. The 3031 works so well you won't want to use anything else.

The advice about practicing range estimation is well founded. I take it a step farther, and use a Leica laser rangefinder. Use the rangefinder BEFORE the shot and set your sights. Lots of guys I know shoot and miss, THEN use the rangefinder to find out how far it was. Not a good program.