45-70 paper patch

[Eric Johanen]

Out this morning with my Shiloh Rough Rider 45-70 and paper patch ammunition. 2.100 Winchester brass fire formed, neck sized, CCI bench rest primers, Load data: 1) BACO .444 Money bullet patched to .4505, 76.0 grains of OE 1.5 fg, .060 poly wad compressed to give a OAL of 3.187. Patched just short of the ogive. Can just feel the bullet snug in with slight thumb pressure. X's and inside 10's on the SR target at 200 yards benched using the bench rest cross sticks. Wiped 1 damp and 1 dry old arsenal patches. Very nice shooting load! 2) The Accurate 45-485XR patched with .002 100% rag bond paper, neck expanded with a ,4565 expander plug and slightly belled. Bullet started into case and then used my Lyman seater die to complete the seating process. They are a tight fit but it works well. 68.0 grains of OE 1.5 fg. OJ waxed card- 3/16 DGL lube was- OJ waxed card compressed to give a OAL of 2.927. These went into a 4 inch group of 5 shots with no wiping or blow tubing...just chamber and shoot. Very nice lube star at the muzzle. These could be a great shoot dirty/hunting load. Will do more work with them. Another good day on the range!!

[Lumpy Grits]

This is good news
Wish my 'Old-Arthur' right hand would let me roll diapers on some slugs. Just have to stay with GG.
Good luck,
Gary

[Eric Johanen]

I cast 100 more of the Accurate 45-485XR yesterday and will load them again using the same charge of 68.0 grains of OE 1.5 fg. I do believe I'll settle on a OAL of 2.925. Out far enough and still gives very good clearance for barrel fouling from previous rounds. The card/lube wad column was more than adequate to keep fouling soft and leave a nice lube star at the muzzle. The bullets are patched with a 25/32 inch patch and have 3/32 inch of the patch folded under the base. No leading and easy to chamber. If this load proves out it will be my shoot dirty/paper patch hunting load for the Shiloh 45-70 Rough Rider. Now back to Lucrezia and paper patches!!

[Don McDowell]

Glad you're finding a good load. I didn't even have a grease groove bullet with me at Raton.

[Eric Johanen]

These 2 diameter bullets are showing some potential, Both my 45-70 Shiloh Rough Rider and my C. Sharps 50-90 have standard chambers. I am looking for paper patch bullets that will work with the fired brass in the larger diameter chambers without too much working of the neck. I want to be able to shoot dirty for field use and in an occasional steel match. While match accuracy at long range is not necessary, I do want a accurate load for hunting. The Accurate 45-485XR showed it has promise and with the Accurate 51-590P, I'll test next time seating it a bit deeper in the case to avoid patch/bullet interference in the fouled bore. I can adjust the diameter by choosing the correct paper and secure the bullets in the case with good fit and a slight taper crimp. I am beginning to think I'm getting close to having this worked out. Lube wad is depositing enough to keep the fouling in check and giving a nice lube star at the muzzle. KIK, Swiss, and OE are all providing great accuracy and light soft fouling. Paper results at 200 yards are starting to look good and I really am having fun so what's to loose? ( I think I'm becoming an addict to single shot rifles and black powder!!!).

[Don McDowell]

Yes the dual diameter bullets work very well in all manner of chambers.