Reloading for a 45-70 BFR

moredes · October 18, 2002, 06:57 PM

Sheer funk moved me into this gun. I wanted to pass the time while my rifle cools down on the silhouette line. Of the choices I allowed myself, the XP100 is impossible to find in the caliber I wanted (.308) in the PRK. I just can't swallow the looks of the Encore, and I got a damn good price on the BFR, so I bit.

I need to learn what to reload. I'm hoping to kick dust around with even the 500-600yd targets; it didn't seem impossible with a BFR in 444 Marlin; I'm hoping the 45-70 will be the same.

Anyone have any pet recipes for this specific configuration? How heavy a bullet is too heavy for this gun? Do I dare shoot the big factory rounds intended for rifles, or should I stay under a 400gr bullet limit? I need all the advice y'all can give; I've never shot this caliber nor reloaded for it.

A wise man would have probably coughed up for an Encore in .308.

Thank you.

Preacherman · October 18, 2002, 07:11 PM

Step 1: Get hold of some Garrett Hammerheads (www.garrettcartridges.com).

Step 2: Fire one of these beastmasters in your BFR.

Step 3: NEVER EVER load something that hot yourself!!!

Seriously, I think that if you follow the "standard" .45/70 loadings (i.e. those which are safe in black-powder weapons originally chambered for this round), you'll be fine. They have an amazing "rainbow" trajectory which can reach out over 3,500 yards or so! Mike Venturino did an interesting article about tests on these rounds at a military proving ground in California.

I think that the "hotter" loads might well be safe to fire in your BFR, but would be extraordinarily uncomfortable in recoil. BTW, don't take that suggestion about the Garrett Hammerheads too seriously... I don't know whether the BFR is strong enough to cope with their pressures. Check with Magnum Research and/or Garrett before proceeding!

DARTH 44 · October 20, 2002, 06:36 AM

The Preacherman,3500 yds sounds interesting.Is it possible
to read that Mike`s article in the Internet?

If so, I`d appreciate a link.
THX

moredes · October 21, 2002, 10:49 AM

No offense Preacherman, I moved the question over to Reloading; I'm hoping to get some initial suggestions on what bullets and powders to favor, over there. Thanks for your advice; I'll stay within the BP standards as I start out.

October 18, 2002, 06:57 PM	#1
moredes Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Posts: 325	Reloading for a 45-70 BFR Sheer funk moved me into this gun. I wanted to pass the time while my rifle cools down on the silhouette line. Of the choices I allowed myself, the XP100 is impossible to find in the caliber I wanted (.308) in the PRK. I just can't swallow the looks of the Encore, and I got a damn good price on the BFR, so I bit. I need to learn what to reload. I'm hoping to kick dust around with even the 500-600yd targets; it didn't seem impossible with a BFR in 444 Marlin; I'm hoping the 45-70 will be the same. Anyone have any pet recipes for this specific configuration? How heavy a bullet is too heavy for this gun? Do I dare shoot the big factory rounds intended for rifles, or should I stay under a 400gr bullet limit? I need all the advice y'all can give; I've never shot this caliber nor reloaded for it. A wise man would have probably coughed up for an Encore in .308. Thank you.

October 20, 2002, 06:36 AM	#3
DARTH 44 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 138	The Preacherman,3500 yds sounds interesting.Is it possible to read that Mike`s article in the Internet? If so, I`d appreciate a link. THX __________________ "Americans have the right and advantages of being armed,unlike the citizens of the countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms" JAMES MADISON - The Federalist Papers

October 18, 2002, 07:11 PM	#2
Preacherman Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2002 Posts: 791	Step 1: Get hold of some Garrett Hammerheads (www.garrettcartridges.com). Step 2: Fire one of these beastmasters in your BFR. Step 3: NEVER EVER load something that hot yourself!!! Seriously, I think that if you follow the "standard" .45/70 loadings (i.e. those which are safe in black-powder weapons originally chambered for this round), you'll be fine. They have an amazing "rainbow" trajectory which can reach out over 3,500 yards or so! Mike Venturino did an interesting article about tests on these rounds at a military proving ground in California. I think that the "hotter" loads might well be safe to fire in your BFR, but would be extraordinarily uncomfortable in recoil. BTW, don't take that suggestion about the Garrett Hammerheads too seriously... I don't know whether the BFR is strong enough to cope with their pressures. Check with Magnum Research and/or Garrett before proceeding!

October 21, 2002, 10:49 AM	#4
moredes Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Posts: 325	No offense Preacherman, I moved the question over to Reloading; I'm hoping to get some initial suggestions on what bullets and powders to favor, over there. Thanks for your advice; I'll stay within the BP standards as I start out.