New to me 45-70

Say goodbye to half your deer meat…but on the flip side you’ll never lose one…🤣

Just pass it along to me. I don't mind wasting a few primers and powder on it. I think I've got about 700 cases for it. I can help you out of ownership, no probs.

Might want to consider a different piece of glass as well That one may get scrambled like an egg

For the mild loads - if Unique is ever available again you might want to try it. My most accurate loads have been with 14 grains with both 400 grain commercial cast and 340 grain from my Lee mold. I have not shot anything with Trail Boss that grouped worth a flip.

Reloder 7 has given me satisfactory results with 300 grain jacketed at standard velocities. I gave up the “wild” experiments. I’m not a fan of heavy recoil. Plus the Unique load with my cast bullets is super cheap even with primers at ten cents each and powder at $40 - $50 per pound.

3031 also gave good results with jacketed but I didn’t like all the unburned powder left in the bore. Doesn’t hurt anything of course. Maybe a magnum primer would help?

I’d like to try some Red Dot - might be just as good as Unique.

Here's a couple places it is in stock at.

You may already be familiar, but just in case...

A little scrolling and your should find plenty of info on Handi 45-70 loads. I believe the general consensus is that the SB2 frame is safe for up to modern lever action loads...if you're that much of a glutton for punishment.

sneaker said:

I would bet that baby got some thump to it!

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It thumps on both ends off the bench. I was going to get to the top loading and quit 10 grains under max charge for the Ruger #1 loads. The SB-2 receivers can handle 500 S&W Magnum pressure. Better pull your hat down tight and hold on cause it will dang sure move your hat if it is just sitting on your head!

RT8 said:

You may already be familiar, but just in case...

H&R Centerfire Rifles

www.go2gbo.com

A little scrolling and your should find plenty of info on Handi 45-70 loads. I believe the general consensus is that the SB2 frame is safe for up to modern lever action loads...if you're that much of a glutton for punishment.

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That’s why I’ve been looking for one of these. They’re plenty strong and I’m basically using it for just load development for other rifles anyhow. I have a couple of older lever rifles that probably should be put up and not shot…….but I want to take them out and play with them. If I use this to develop loads suitable for them,it’ll save wear and tear.

The wild rounds will be for those who think they’re tough. Those few folks that have the Zeus complex. I ain’t much on hurting people but it’s funny as hell when that shoulder pain starts working on them! 😂

RD Myers said:

It thumps on both ends off the bench. I was going to get to the top loading and quit 10 grains under max charge for the Ruger #1 loads. The SB-2 receivers can handle 500 S&W Magnum pressure. Better pull your hat down tight and hold on cause it will dang sure move your hat if it is just sitting on your head!

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@SubGunFan has one in 500mag. It has the auto eject function! 😂

Ellis93 said:

The wild rounds will be for those who think they’re tough. Those few folks that have the Zeus complex. I ain’t much on hurting people but it’s funny as hell when that shoulder pain starts working on them! 😂

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So thats what you are calling your bad shoulder, Zeus complex? Just asking?😆

rigrat said:

So thats what you are calling your bad shoulder, Zeus complex? Just asking?😆

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No,I’d hand whatever is was shooting back to you if it hurts! My shoulder hurts because I’m a clumsy joker that likes to take tumbles off 4 post lifts!

I’m just not that sensitive to recoil.

Yeah, I don't like recoil. I can handle a fair amount though. The 10ga with somewhere around 100-120 grains black powder sub with about 30 something #2 buck hurt. Now with my arm little leery of any recoil for now. At least until I am sure it can handle it.

Very funny.

Ellis93 said:

No,I’d hand whatever is was shooting back to you if it hurts! My shoulder hurts because I’m a clumsy joker that likes to take tumbles off 4 post lifts!

I’m just not that sensitive to recoil.

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Recoil? What's Recoil? It's a 45-70, not a 700 Nitro...

A number of years ago, a friend bought a Shiloh Sharps in 45-70, shot it with factory (smokeless) loads, and it wasn't pleasant to shoot. He learned to load black powder instead of smokeless and it was a much more pleasant experience. Although the recoil numbers may be the same, the characteristics of black powder recoil is different - it is more of a push whereas the recoil from smokeless powder is much sharper. Unfortunately, you are limited to about 1100-1200 fps with black powder but, I assure you, that a hit with a 520 gr lead bullet traveling at 1100 fps will bring pretty much anything down........

RONIN79 said:

Say goodbye to half your deer meat…but on the flip side you’ll never lose one…🤣

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At "normal" 45-70 velocities, they mess up way less meat than pretty much anything with a MV around 3,000fps.
With the big, slow slugs at low velocities, "you can eat right up to the hole", as many on GBO are fond of saying.

Buk said:

A number of years ago, a friend bought a Shiloh Sharps in 45-70, shot it with factory (smokeless) loads, and it wasn't pleasant to shoot. He learned to load black powder instead of smokeless and it was a much more pleasant experience. Although the recoil numbers may be the same, the characteristics of black powder recoil is different - it is more of a push whereas the recoil from smokeless powder is much sharper. Unfortunately, you are limited to about 1100-1200 fps with black powder but, I assure you, that a hit with a 520 gr lead bullet traveling at 1100 fps will bring pretty much anything down........

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I wish I had that kind of $$ for a Shiloh. Great guns and Made in the USA