Recommended BP Reloads for Pedersoli Quigley 45-70?

Nails · April 13, 2012, 09:05 PM

I've researched the web for 15 months in preparation for the arrival of my new Quigley. I'm curious on BP Reloads for a 34" barrel. I'm not sold that Ruger #1 and Marlin 1895 22-26" Barrels are appropriate when trying to maximize accuracy for 500-1000 yd shooting from my new Quigley. Any recipes, web sites or forums are appreciated.

Nails

Roaddog · April 14, 2012, 06:51 AM

bpcr.net can help ya out.

Fairshake · April 17, 2012, 08:33 AM

You know that each and every gun is it's own self and may react well to a good load of another rifle or shoot it bad.
I purchased the Pedersoli Competition Sharps 1874 model about three years ago and tried many different loads.
A good standard load that does well in a lot of guns is 68 gr. of Goex Cartridge with the 535 grain Postell bullet.
To load the top loads you will need to have a very good set of dies like the RCBS Cowboy Dies. They have a larger expander die for lead bullets.
You will also have to shoot BP if you want the rifle to shoot as well as it can.
You also need a compression die, a powder funnel drop tube, and over powder wads.
It's also impossible to achieve the best accuracy without annealing your cases and fitting the bullets to your bore. If the rifle is a Pedersoli then it will most likely be a .458 which would require bullets at least .459 or .460 in diameter.
I suggest you purchase books like Mike Venturino Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West.
It takes a lot of gun time to become a long range BP shooter and some shoot for years with out ever becoming one of the best. Do a lot of research and study the BPCR forum.
The two top powders now being used are Swiss 1 1/2 and KIK 2F. Best of Luck , Fairshake

Nails · April 17, 2012, 07:52 PM

Roaddog and Fairshake,

Thanks for the scoop. I'm very excited about the opportunity to begin a new shooting sport. I've been shooting skeet for 7 years and enjoy the comraderie but always enjoyed long distance shooting.

I'm a Marine artilleryman so this is my new personal cannon.

Nails

Jbar4Ranch · April 19, 2012, 09:36 AM

I use 65 grains (volume) of Swiss 1 1/2, pre-compressed, Federal 215 primer, and topped with a cast 535 grain Postell bullet in my Uberti "Long Range" half round/half octagon 1874. This load will give me consistent sub-12" groups @ 500 yards, and will almost always put them under 10". It will put them under 8" often enough to make betting against it a losing proposition, with my best group being 3 3/8", or just about exactly 2/3 MOA. This Uberti shoots better than my Shiloh which cost nearly 3x as much.

Nails · April 20, 2012, 03:43 AM

Thanks Jabr. I've read several threads and links that recommend 535 Postell. I've had one custom ammo designer recommend 550-600gr bullets. I'm aiming for 500-535 with the goal of consistent performance from 600-1000yds.

Nails

radom · April 20, 2012, 04:56 AM

The 45-70 has been around for like almost 150 years so not much rocket tech involved there at all. And yes 150 years of load work up to get to a ruger or a 1895 will tend to work in a over long barrel gun. Main issue is what kind or lead does it have and the slug to grove fit. But what do I know I just out shoot the M1A guys with a 12x scope at 600-800 yds with a 11mm mauser most the time.

April 17, 2012, 08:33 AM	#3
Fairshake Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Livingston, La. about 20 miles East of Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 30	BPCR You know that each and every gun is it's own self and may react well to a good load of another rifle or shoot it bad. I purchased the Pedersoli Competition Sharps 1874 model about three years ago and tried many different loads. A good standard load that does well in a lot of guns is 68 gr. of Goex Cartridge with the 535 grain Postell bullet. To load the top loads you will need to have a very good set of dies like the RCBS Cowboy Dies. They have a larger expander die for lead bullets. You will also have to shoot BP if you want the rifle to shoot as well as it can. You also need a compression die, a powder funnel drop tube, and over powder wads. It's also impossible to achieve the best accuracy without annealing your cases and fitting the bullets to your bore. If the rifle is a Pedersoli then it will most likely be a .458 which would require bullets at least .459 or .460 in diameter. I suggest you purchase books like Mike Venturino Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West. It takes a lot of gun time to become a long range BP shooter and some shoot for years with out ever becoming one of the best. Do a lot of research and study the BPCR forum. The two top powders now being used are Swiss 1 1/2 and KIK 2F. Best of Luck , Fairshake __________________ SASS Frontier Cartridge class, 100% BP Shooter,

April 19, 2012, 09:36 AM	#5
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	I use 65 grains (volume) of Swiss 1 1/2, pre-compressed, Federal 215 primer, and topped with a cast 535 grain Postell bullet in my Uberti "Long Range" half round/half octagon 1874. This load will give me consistent sub-12" groups @ 500 yards, and will almost always put them under 10". It will put them under 8" often enough to make betting against it a losing proposition, with my best group being 3 3/8", or just about exactly 2/3 MOA. This Uberti shoots better than my Shiloh which cost nearly 3x as much. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

April 13, 2012, 09:05 PM	#1
Nails Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 4	Recommended BP Reloads for Pedersoli Quigley 45-70? I've researched the web for 15 months in preparation for the arrival of my new Quigley. I'm curious on BP Reloads for a 34" barrel. I'm not sold that Ruger #1 and Marlin 1895 22-26" Barrels are appropriate when trying to maximize accuracy for 500-1000 yd shooting from my new Quigley. Any recipes, web sites or forums are appreciated. Nails

April 14, 2012, 06:51 AM	#2
Roaddog Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2010 Location: East central Minnesota Posts: 202	bpcr.net can help ya out.

April 17, 2012, 07:52 PM	#4
Nails Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 4	Roaddog and Fairshake, Thanks for the scoop. I'm very excited about the opportunity to begin a new shooting sport. I've been shooting skeet for 7 years and enjoy the comraderie but always enjoyed long distance shooting. I'm a Marine artilleryman so this is my new personal cannon. Nails

April 20, 2012, 03:43 AM	#6
Nails Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 4	Thanks Jabr. I've read several threads and links that recommend 535 Postell. I've had one custom ammo designer recommend 550-600gr bullets. I'm aiming for 500-535 with the goal of consistent performance from 600-1000yds. Nails

April 20, 2012, 04:56 AM	#7
radom Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 1,357	The 45-70 has been around for like almost 150 years so not much rocket tech involved there at all. And yes 150 years of load work up to get to a ruger or a 1895 will tend to work in a over long barrel gun. Main issue is what kind or lead does it have and the slug to grove fit. But what do I know I just out shoot the M1A guys with a 12x scope at 600-800 yds with a 11mm mauser most the time.