I called Pedersoli to find out about their 1874 Quigley rifle.
They also offer this rifle in .45-90 and .45-120.

Does anyone here have any experience with these calibers? Apparently they recomend a load of 90 - 100gn of Black powder No 2 for a 500gn bullet.
I know nothing about BP but that's double the smokeless powder behind a .45-70 or the smokeless .45-120 loads I found at reloadersnest.

After calling back, the people at Pedersoli said that they recomend the use of BP only.

I have a vauge recolection of BP shooters simetimes substituting with smokeless with no ill effects.

I'll assume the traditional loads are using cast bullets, but can this rifle shoot jacteted stuff too?

I'd like this rifle for target shooting and a little hunting, and the idea of a little know cartridge appeals to me.

Can anyone give me any more info on this cartridge?

I have a Ruger #1 in 45/120. Loaded with BP 112gn FFG with Lyman 535gn (457125) gives a velocity of 1360fps.
I have tried smokeless loads but the BP actually groups better.
I used to shoot 500 copper jacketed bullets with velocities approaching 2350fps but the recoil was tear-forming.
I have Pedersoli's Mod 782 in 40/65 & 45/70 and the missus is buying me a Long Range Creedmore in 50/70 for my 50th.
She is such a nice lady; I often call her "Yes Dear"

That's some serious energy: 500gn @ 2350 = 6100ft/lb!

Would I be right in doubting a Pedersoli rifle will stand up to that sort of abuse like your Ruger?

Express

Howdy , I have and shoot quite often the Pedersoli Quigley in the 45-3.25 (120) . I shoot the 535 postell with a full load of 120 gr FFG Goex , 650 gr flat nose gas check ( hunting bullet ) with 95 gr FFG Goex , recoil is there with a smile . Pedersoli rifles will handle more powder than what you can handle , extensive testing done with these rifles .

Ranger Rick

After much trying to find a BP/Wad/Lube/Cast Lead combination that would not excessively foul in my .45/120 I took the unrecommended route and used duplex loads.

The finished round unded up as:-
WLR Primer, 12grains ADI AR2205, 98 grains 2F Goex, Beeswax overpowder wad, SPG Lube, card wad & Lyman 530gr Postel.

Cases were not resized but projectile crimped in F/L sizer die. The powder was compressed with a 'modified' expander die before the wads and lube were inserted.

Using this load I could get maybe a dozen shots off before I had to wet patch out the barrel. My reading indicated that the smokeless powder was equivalent to about 3 times the weight of 2F, so the load was roughly equivalent to +/- 134 gr of 2F. By the time I was ready to clean I had had enough recoil for the day anyhow!