Any of you gents ever use HSM Bear Load 45/70 ammo? If so what are your thoughts? Thanks.

I don't know about the bear load, but HSM is good quality ammo.

They are only $31.45 a box at SWVA Arms so I picked up a couple of boxes. For that price I had to try them. Not set up to reload 45/70 yet but will be soon. Still haven't gotten to the range with the new 1886. I hope to get out this weekend.

Ran a box of Remington 405's, Winchester 300's and a box of the HSM 430 grain Bear loads through the '86 yesterday. The recoil for the HSM ammo was surprisingly soft. Harder than the others but not bad. The gun weighs 9 1/2 lbs empty. I'm sure that helped. All the ammo shot well and functioned well.

quote:

box of the HSM 430 grain Bear loads through the '86 yesterday. The recoil for the HSM ammo was surprisingly soft. Harder than the others but not bad. The gun weighs 9 1/2 lbs empty. I'm sure

all depends on what velocity they give you.

I've used buffalo bore 430 hard cast at 1900 FPS advertised never chrono'ed it yet

That was the load I was using in the HSM, 430 grain hard cast. Did not have the chrono set up though. After firing the primers were flattened somewhat compared to the other loads.

What is the advertised HSM velocity?

Their web site says 1,801 fps.