I am basically interested in the ballistics and if anyone sells them.
Here in MI we may hunt with BP cartridges during the ML season, IF we shoot them out of a handgun like a Contender or Encore. So, I was wondering how they would do out of a 14"-15" .45-70 Encore barrel???
Thanks!
Mark
Posts: 217 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 15 August 2002
Performance of BP rounds is noticeably degraded in much shortened barrels. The service carbine load was a 405 gr. bullet and 55 gr. powder. Additional powder was not a benefit in the shorter carbine barrel. Velocity of the 405 gr. bullet is 1100-1250 fps.
There is quite a bit of technical information to use in loading your own that will improve the accuracy of the ammunition. I know of no source for "factory" BP loads.
[ 07-19-2003, 19:25: Message edited by: Hobie ]
Posts: 2324 | Location: Staunton, VA | Registered: 05 September 2002
This may be of interest to you, and may work very well in the short Encore barrel.
In developing loads for my 45/70 sharps, I wanted a cleaner burning all BP load that would reduce the amount of sight adjustment between 200 and 300 yards. I loaded a priming charge of 12gr 4F under the main charge of 56gr 2F Swiss.
Velocity of the Lyman 530gn Postell was boosted by 180fps. I can now shoot chickens at 200 with my normal load and pigs at 300 without sight adjustment.
Posts: 1785 | Location: Kingaroy, Australia | Registered: 29 April 2002
In my 34" barrelled Sharps, a straight load of 66gn 2FG Swiss with 530gn Postell - 1060fps. Projectiles are shot unsized "as cast" with card wad over powder and grease cookies.
12gn 4FG & 56gn 2FG with 530gn Postel - 1234fps. All loads chronographed with a Chrony F1 and ignited with a standard Win LR primer.
Posts: 1785 | Location: Kingaroy, Australia | Registered: 29 April 2002
derf, I also have a 45/120 Sharps that will push that 530gn Lyman to 1366fps with 112.5gn FFG. Juat is another 34gn of powder for a measly 120fps. Sure hits the steels like the hammer of Thor!
Posts: 1785 | Location: Kingaroy, Australia | Registered: 29 April 2002
quote:Originally posted by Bad Ass Wallace: derf, I also have a 45/120 Sharps that will push that 530gn Lyman to 1366fps with 112.5gn FFG. Juat is another 34gn of powder for a measly 120fps. Sure hits the steels like the hammer of Thor!
There is some variation in velocity due to differences in individual guns and powders chosen, but for comparison, my .45-100 gets 1325 with a 550 gr bullet.
Any .45 that is bigger than a 2.1" (70 gr case) is going to be a heap big gun.
Brent
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
Brent, I haven't had a chance to try the duplex load in 45/120 yet but I suspect that ignition of all that 2F is not working well.
A friend who also has a 45/120, loads 10gn 4227 under 100gr 2F which really gets things going. Recoil & hitting power is much improved but the load has not been chronographed yet. Duplex of smokeless however is not allowed for BPCR.
I have 20 BP duplex loaded with Federal 215's ready for the next range session in about 2 weeks. Keep you posted,
Posts: 1785 | Location: Kingaroy, Australia | Registered: 29 April 2002
quote:Originally posted by Bad Ass Wallace: Brent, I haven't had a chance to try the duplex load in 45/120 yet but I suspect that ignition of all that 2F is not working well.
BAW, For what it's worth, most of the dedicated BPCR shooters are going with ever milder primers. Large Pistol primers generally being prefered over any rifle primer. Some hazzards in doing this, but if you get away with it, accuracy is generally better.
I did duplex once upon a time, but I didn't feel it improved the recoil and for sure - quite the contrary. It disimproved accuracy a bunch.
There are some other issues with duplexing that I want to avoid, but mostly it's just that I like a bp rifle for the simple fact that it's a bp rifle. Shooting smokeless, even in duplex defeats that for me. YMMV...
Good luck, Brent
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
I've never loaded BP in mine, but would love to give it a try. Any idea what the pressure is with a 400gr w/70 FF? Anyone ever experiment with 4F? I ask because I have a couple pounds of it collecting dust.
quote:Originally posted by chevota: I've never loaded BP in mine, but would love to give it a try. Any idea what the pressure is with a 400gr w/70 FF? Anyone ever experiment with 4F? I ask because I have a couple pounds of it collecting dust.
I know of one person doing this. The results were poor accuracy, excessive fouling, lots of recoil. Nothing gained to be sure. It may be dangerous using 4fg, but for sure, it will not give very good end results.
Brent
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
