40-70SS and PP loads

[Kevin Alexander]

I recently acquired a “gunsmiths project” rifle and just dropped it off at a my local gunsmith for the winter to have the wood rotted and finished. It’s a Meacham Highwall action fitted to a octagon Badger Barrel chambered in 40-70SS with a 1-16 twist .401 bore diameter and .4085 groove diameter barrel. I only shoot paper patch loads through all my single shots now and I thought that I needed to try to make the switch to a 40 caliber in the BPCR silhouette game next year. Anyone here have any good starting points for loads for this rifle. Components I have is new Hornady 405 Winchester brass, a case of Swiss 1 1/2 and a case of Swiss 1 powders. I will be putting an order in for more supplies from BACO in the near future. All help would be appreciated, I’ve tried this caliber in the past with not much success but I’m older and wiser now, so hopefully I can make it work.
I do not have a bullet mould yet for this, but I will probably order a minimum of 2 from BACO.
Thanks in advance,
KA

[Hiwall55]

Kevin,I just shot my 40/70 this weekend at a match and got a second place with my Dual Diameter PP,415 grain Accurate mold, and a BACO 400 grain mold, looking to have BACO cut a new mold this winter, 400 grain Elliptical. Good luck with yours.
My barrel is a Badger,400-.408, .395 Diameter bullet wrapped up with 55Y works for me.