Just out of curiousity, does anyone have a drawing of the 45-70 Improved cartridge? How about load data or performance specs assuming that it is/was loaded to modern Marlin pressures? I just had a weird tingle in my head about rechambering a handi-rifle...

read up on jeffeosso's 45-70 nitro...it will get you 450 alaskan performance in a handi rifle

if you need more than that think 45-90 with a long throat to use rifle bullets like jeffes nitro

Boomer- I've read on that one already. I was thinking about blowing the case out to create a shoulder and leave a .450" long neck, and also altering the throat as per Jeffe. The handi-rifle throat is too short in the first place. I'm hoping that this has been done already so I don't have to come up with all this from scratch.

I don't want to go to 45-90 brass, since 45-70 cases are very cheap. Plus, retaining the basic 45-70 length will let me shoot factory ammo in it for fireforming, in case of emergency, etc. Just kinda tossing stuff around on a Monday afternoon...

It has been done already. you can use 475 GNR brass from Gary Reeder or fireform 45-70 cases.

I have the reamer for it.

Dan

there is only 17 thou to be gained at the shoulder...that will only translate into 10 more fps i guess...

i think you are wanting the 450 alaskan... blownout .348 brass, headstamped brass and dies can be found.

in a handirifle? heh... can I video tape that? it ought to be, well, LIVELY!!\

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
there is only 17 thou to be gained at the shoulder...that will only translate into 10 more fps i guess...

Well, I wasn't looking for performance increase with the shoulder - as you say, it will not improve much. I was looking for a way to flag these loads as different than a normal 45-70 load. With the pressure increased and bullets seated for a different throat, I'd hate to have someone try to shoot one in an old trapdoor or something.

Yeah, the 450 Alaskan would be quite a step up. Don't worry, I'd add some weight to the rifle and put on a real pad (the factory one sucks anyway). If I build it, you can tape it

Would the 450 Alaskan reamer clean up a 45-70 chamber completely? How different is the rim/head diam of 348 brass from say 50-70 or 50-90 brass?

quote:

Would the 450 Alaskan reamer clean up a 45-70 chamber completely? How different is the rim/head diam of 348 brass from say 50-70 or 50-90 brass?

yes, yes and yes. good luck