Shooting 45-70 BP in a 45-120 Uberti 1885 High Wall

backlash · November 18, 2022, 09:57 PM

Anyone doing this? Lots of bullet jump. I also have a Henry 45-70 lever gun and I reload for both.

Don't know why I would do it but it has crossed my mind.

Similarly, I shoot a Uberti 1858 Conversion pistol in 45 Colt. The bullet jump is considerable. With the proper cylinder it will shoot 45ACP with even more jump. I got on interested in this after reading/YouTube about bullet seating and "land chasing" in some shooting sports and hunting rifles.

Anyway, must be a 3/4" jump for the 40-70 in a 45-120 bore. Wonder how fast the bullet is going when it hits the rifling?

Jim Watson · November 19, 2022, 03:38 PM

Once upon a time, way back in the 20th century, it was celebrated that .45-70 would shoot in .45-90, -100, and -110 because proper ammunition was seldom available. That would let you shoot Grandpa's Gun on Ceremonial Occasions. I do not recall a report on accuracy.

I can't imagine why anybody would do it now with the BPCR revival and the availability of correct supplies.

SIGSHR · November 19, 2022, 06:17 PM

Sounds like shooting 38 Specials in a .357.

Jim Watson · November 19, 2022, 08:19 PM

They always say that. Yet there are people afraid to do even that.
I have not seen a range report on accuracy and velocity. Maybe the OP will.

backlash · November 19, 2022, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

I can't imagine why anybody would do it now with the BPCR revival and the availability of correct supplies.

One reason may be the availability of 45-120 brass.

Jbar4Ranch · November 20, 2022, 03:18 PM

It can be done, and relatively safely, but it's NOT like "shooting 38 Specials in a .357". The .38 and .357 cases have parallel walls - they're the same diameter all the way. The .45-60 to .45-120 family of cases are tapered .025" end to end, so shooting a .45-70 in a .45-120 chamber puts the mouth of the case in a larger part of the chamber, resulting in excessive blow-by and expanding the mouth of the case beyond what it would in the correct chamber. The brass is worked more when resizing, and will rapidly develop mouth and neck splits.

November 18, 2022, 09:57 PM	#1
backlash Junior Member Join Date: October 25, 2022 Posts: 3	Shooting 45-70 BP in a 45-120 Uberti 1885 High Wall Anyone doing this? Lots of bullet jump. I also have a Henry 45-70 lever gun and I reload for both. Don't know why I would do it but it has crossed my mind. Similarly, I shoot a Uberti 1858 Conversion pistol in 45 Colt. The bullet jump is considerable. With the proper cylinder it will shoot 45ACP with even more jump. I got on interested in this after reading/YouTube about bullet seating and "land chasing" in some shooting sports and hunting rifles. Anyway, must be a 3/4" jump for the 40-70 in a 45-120 bore. Wonder how fast the bullet is going when it hits the rifling?

November 20, 2022, 03:18 PM	#6
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	It can be done, and relatively safely, but it's NOT like "shooting 38 Specials in a .357". The .38 and .357 cases have parallel walls - they're the same diameter all the way. The .45-60 to .45-120 family of cases are tapered .025" end to end, so shooting a .45-70 in a .45-120 chamber puts the mouth of the case in a larger part of the chamber, resulting in excessive blow-by and expanding the mouth of the case beyond what it would in the correct chamber. The brass is worked more when resizing, and will rapidly develop mouth and neck splits. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

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November 19, 2022, 03:38 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,286	Once upon a time, way back in the 20th century, it was celebrated that .45-70 would shoot in .45-90, -100, and -110 because proper ammunition was seldom available. That would let you shoot Grandpa's Gun on Ceremonial Occasions. I do not recall a report on accuracy. I can't imagine why anybody would do it now with the BPCR revival and the availability of correct supplies.

November 19, 2022, 06:17 PM	#3
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,688	Sounds like shooting 38 Specials in a .357.

November 19, 2022, 08:19 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,286	They always say that. Yet there are people afraid to do even that. I have not seen a range report on accuracy and velocity. Maybe the OP will.