45-70 Shotgun Shells

sharpeyes · December 5, 2012, 07:39 AM

I own a very elegant, single barrel fowling shotgun. This little woman’s partridge gun was made in Spain, probably in the 1930’s and appears to be chambered to use 45-70 brass reloaded into shotgun shells. Apparently, empty 45-70 brass was plentiful in Spain at the time.
Smaller 410 shells work but because they are too small the brass splits and the shell needs to be pushed out.
I have made shells for this gun from 45-70 brass filled with the load from a .410 shell. This is the right size shell, but the head is a little too thick and works only with “adjustments”.
My question is – Has anyone ever heard of this before? Was there (or is there) a commercial source for shotgun shells in this size?

Salmoneye · December 5, 2012, 08:42 AM

I need pics lol

Welcome, BTW...

Are you saying that you can chamber a .45-70 in this gun, or is it clearly marked as such?

There was a 40 Gauge that should fit this, but it is long obsolete...

As for loaded shotshell ammo in .45-70, I am aware of none...

It is a simple enough matter to load empty cases, but I have not done so for .45-70...I do load for .357 and .44 Mag quite effectively...

**Mike Irwin** · December 5, 2012, 08:47 AM

Are you sure that your shotgun isn't chambered for 32 gauge shotshells?

I can't imagine any reason why the .45-70 would have been common in Spain in the 1930s, but I do know that 24, 32, and other oddball European gauges were still being made in a number of countries at that time.

Dimensionally the .45-70 and the 32 gauge are pretty similar.

There are also several other possible cartridges that it could be.

LarryFlew · December 5, 2012, 07:02 PM

Believe I have an empty for one like that.

The brass says ".410x75mag" on it. slightly shorter than 2 3/4 .410 shell BUT diameter is larger than standard .410. can't tell what the 3 letters are for brand at this point.

December 5, 2012, 07:39 AM	#1
sharpeyes Junior Member Join Date: December 4, 2012 Posts: 1	45-70 Shotgun Shells I own a very elegant, single barrel fowling shotgun. This little woman’s partridge gun was made in Spain, probably in the 1930’s and appears to be chambered to use 45-70 brass reloaded into shotgun shells. Apparently, empty 45-70 brass was plentiful in Spain at the time. Smaller 410 shells work but because they are too small the brass splits and the shell needs to be pushed out. I have made shells for this gun from 45-70 brass filled with the load from a .410 shell. This is the right size shell, but the head is a little too thick and works only with “adjustments”. My question is – Has anyone ever heard of this before? Was there (or is there) a commercial source for shotgun shells in this size?

December 5, 2012, 08:47 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Are you sure that your shotgun isn't chambered for 32 gauge shotshells? I can't imagine any reason why the .45-70 would have been common in Spain in the 1930s, but I do know that 24, 32, and other oddball European gauges were still being made in a number of countries at that time. Dimensionally the .45-70 and the 32 gauge are pretty similar. There are also several other possible cartridges that it could be. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 5, 2012, 08:42 AM	#2
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	I need pics lol Welcome, BTW... Are you saying that you can chamber a .45-70 in this gun, or is it clearly marked as such? There was a 40 Gauge that should fit this, but it is long obsolete... As for loaded shotshell ammo in .45-70, I am aware of none... It is a simple enough matter to load empty cases, but I have not done so for .45-70...I do load for .357 and .44 Mag quite effectively...

December 5, 2012, 07:02 PM	#4
LarryFlew Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2009 Location: Minnesota CZ fan Posts: 902	Believe I have an empty for one like that. The brass says ".410x75mag" on it. slightly shorter than 2 3/4 .410 shell BUT diameter is larger than standard .410. can't tell what the 3 letters are for brand at this point.