I have been trying different loads in my Ruger #1 and don't know which bullet to load? My gun likes the hornady 350 or speer 400 gr. Which do you like better? If you like the hornady do you like the FP or RN? What velocity do you like best w/ these? I only plan on using it for deer right now. Thanks for your input.

I've used the 400 Speer with no complaints. I tend to think that the 45-70 ought to be used with 400 or 405 gr bullets.

I have used the 300 grain winchester hollow point ammo on several deer. It kills quick, but I think it is too fragile. I hate picking lead and jacket material out of the meat. I used the winchester Nosler Partion load (not HP) this year but didn't connect.

Deer?

Ruger #1 45-70 22" barrel
Speer 300 grain UniCor #2482 seated to 2.53"
Winchester brass, 2.1" trim
CCI 200 primer
55 grains H4198 2175 fps
60 grains H4198 2370 fps
There ought to be an accurate load in your rifle between there somewhere.

While you can go alot hotter i just love the hornady 350 RN at around 1900-2000 for deer .Try some IMR 4198 45 to 47 grains.

Is there a difference b/t the RN and FN w/ the 350 Hdy's? Just curious.

I load the Remington 405gr soft point RN at 1700fps in my Guide Gun for deer and thats plenty good enough. They are priced well too.

The RN ans FN shoot the same in my rifles and i cant speek for the FN on deer as i have only used the RN on them. RN stands for round nose and FN stands for flat nose

I have used various 300,350 Hornady RN, and the Speer 400gr.
All have worked very well.

For low velocity loads the Speer 400gr will probably expand best, however my favorite at @1900fps os the Hornady RN.

I have used the Hornady 300 JHP from 1400-2100fps on hogs and varmints with great success. It is accurate with good penetration. Also on the plus side recoil is at a minimum and trajectory is quite flat for a 45-70.

You are talking a critter that weighs around 150 pounds (maybe!). I doubt that you will encounter a whitetail that takes more killing than the 45-70 can do with most any proper bullet out to say 175 yards.

If you have found a load that shoots good in your 45-70, then shoot your deer and don't look back.

I was just curious, but does anyone know what the 405 gr JFP is that Buffalo Bore loads in their 45-70 loads?

I don't load for a Ruger but my Marlin 1895 CB likes the 300 and 405 grn Remington bulk bullets deer and hogs don't though. The 300grn JHP really knocks the snot out of big piggies too.

quote:

Originally posted by brewha:
I was just curious, but does anyone know what the 405 gr JFP is that Buffalo Bore loads in their 45-70 loads?

Remington 405 grn JSP bulk bullet they are loaded to normal 1874 ballistics in the factory ammunition from Remington, but useing the same bulk 405 grain bullet and loading it up to 1500-1800 FPS you can get some phenominal terminal ballistic performance

Would you consider a case full of compressed 3fg blackpowder and a 475-550 gr 40:1 bullet? A bit overkill perhaps, but good as far out as you are able. There a bazillion good lead bullets for this caliber. Pick one that has a nice flat nose.

Brent

I'd consider anything, I have never tried anything like you just mentioned but it has my attention. What bullet do you recommend? How do you do what you're talking about, i.e. what does the 40:1 mean , etc.?

I would recommend, for starters the reliable Lyman 457125 for example, or the Gould hollow point mold would be even better - that is a bullet of sort of legendary following as a deer bullet. You would have to research the Gould Hollow point however. I don't know if it's made by Lyman or someone else. Any decent flat nosed bullet from Lyman, RCBS, Saeco or a ton of other folks would work too.

40:1 means 40 parts lead to 1 part tin. A very soft bullet.

If you really want to try something differt, you could consider a paper patched bullet - with bp or smokeless, but heck if you are going to jump into the deep end, might as well be smokeless. I'd be glad to help, so email me at brentd@iastate.edu or hit my webpage at The Next Big Thing - Again

but beware. This is a slippery slope, although life at the bottom is a hell of a lot more fun.

Brent

Another vote for the 405gr Remington Bullet.

I load that bullet in my .458WM at nearly 2300fps.

This year I hit a deer at about 70yds. Entrance hole was 2". Exit hole was closer to 3". No bullet fragments in the deer (that I found). I wouldn't have believed it, but that bullet substantially held together even at relatively high velocity.

Whatever you do, don't try Hornady's Lever Revolution in 45.70. Don't do it.

I have a # 1 in 45.70, my friend Dan has one, and my brother has a Browning. We all had found pet loads for our guns that shot very well. Mine liked the 300 grain Hornady HP over 4891. On a whim I bought a box of Hornady's Lever Revolution just to see what all the fuss was about. My first 3 shots were a cloverleaf. All 3 holes touching. My brother did the same. Dan had a couple of flyers but still shot a five shot group that was about a 1.5 inches across. They made me divy up the remaining 9 rounds between us for the afternoon hunt. I think Dan and I killed 7 deer with those 9 remaining rounds. My snake bit brother couldn't kill a deer if I dropped him in the middle of the of the NC Zoo.
Long story told short Hornady's Lever Revolution shot very well and performed beautifully for us.