45-70 reloading

[Tekoa]

Hello everyone and greetings to the forum.
I made a search around the forums regarding the subj, but all treads are way too old, so i decided to start a new one (admins, please have mercy).

I have a modern replica of Sharps rifle (from Chiappa, Italy) with 32" barrel, and cannot find a reliable reloading data combo for 300 and 350 grn bullets and powders I use (H335 and Benchmark, to be specific).
So, I have a very general question: what's a desirable and reasonable muzzle velocity for 300 and 350 grn bullets for this particular rifle?
Thanks all folks in advance.

PS The AI gave me the numbers that look reasonable to me - but I am too old fashioned guy to trust those things without double check Thanks again.

 

[Lennypeters]

I can't comment on a desirable muzzle velocity but to me that rifle is begging for a case full of black powder.

 

[peterk123]

You joined in 2012 and this is your first post? That is next level lurking

I have two loads, a max just for fun, and a gentle one that is actually accurate. The gentle one is with alliance's 2400. It's been a few years since I shot it. I should take it out and chrono both load. I believe I'm using 405 grain lead bullets though.

My book says a 300 grain lead bullet should be close to 1800 fps with benchmark.

 

[Chris M.]

Start with the load you want and then choose the powder. Alliant offers the 'Reloder' 7 and 10x. It states velocities around 1,700 fps.

But the correct answers are Unique and holy black.

 

[ccm75]

Watch the movie Wind River.
Do what he does.

 

[Martinilover]

I recommend black powder. A full case with a card above the powder and the bullet sitting on the card with very slight compression (and just off the lands).

 

[Mountain]

Check out Hodgdon's website for their reloading tool.

Please never use those quick and easy AI pop up answers for something this critical.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

Hello everyone and greetings to the forum.
I made a search around the forums regarding the subj, but all treads are way too old, so i decided to start a new one (admins, please have mercy).

I have a modern replica of Sharps rifle (from Chiappa, Italy) with 32" barrel, and cannot find a reliable reloading data combo for 300 and 350 grn bullets and powders I use (H335 and Benchmark, to be specific).
So, I have a very general question: what's a desirable and reasonable muzzle velocity for 300 and 350 grn bullets for this particular rifle?
Thanks all folks in advance.

PS The AI gave me the numbers that look reasonable to me - but I am too old fashioned guy to trust those things without double check Thanks again.

Download Gordon’s Reloading tool. Then cross reference with Hodgdon or similar if you want to be 100% sure

 

[gerrycaruso]

Black powder or one of the substitutes will probably work fine but I use 5744. That bullet weight seems quite light for a Sharps. It's more suitable for a lever action in 45/70 or even 45/60.

 

[Tekoa]

Thank y'all for detailed and prompt responses. The black powder will probably be my next step (cleaning though sounds like a nightmare). For now, I am trying to get consistent with smokeless and 350 grn fmj. I found the optimum for Benchmark that gives me 1600 fps with no signs of over pressurized brass, now working on H335 as I am getting low on Benchmark.

Particular thanks to @ccm75 - we love Taylor Sheridan here.

And as for @peterk123 - do you remember that old joke about the kid who said his first words in the age of 7 - "the soup is too hot!"
I mean, so far the things were smooth to me

​

 

[Lennypeters]

Cleaning up after shooting black powder isn't that bad. Hot soapy water followed by your favorite oil and you are good to go. Fired cases get a few minutes in boiling water outside like on the grill side burner and then tumbled. Besides the smoke and the smell and the grin on your face one of the beauties of black powder is you can't create an overload. A lightly compressed full case is just fine.

 

[gerrycaruso]

If you decide to go with black powder, remember it's corrosive. Cleaning a single shot is pretty easy and can be done at the range with a spray bottle of Windex and water. Cases are a bit more work but at least 45/70 isn't one of the scarce and expensive cases. Drop them into a can of soapy water when they come out of the gun. I didn't do that and it cost me a couple of expensive 43 Spanish cases. Lastly, black powder is an explosive, not a propellent and behaves differently than smokeless powder. Read up on it. It's safe, just different.

 

[rewster]

Lastly, black powder is an explosive, not a propellent and behaves differently than smokeless powder. Read up on it. It's safe, just different.

 

[Tekoa]

One more question, as you folks are so kind to me - shall I putt the wad between bullet and powder?

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

One more question, as you folks are so kind to me - shall I putt the wad between bullet and powder?

Not with smokeless.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

One more question, as you folks are so kind to me - shall I putt the wad between bullet and powder?

I do not use wads.
I do use paper patches.

 

[Lennypeters]

I also use paper patches. I use a milk carton wad over the powder and then a grease cookie and another milk carton wad under the bullet. One of the most important things about black powder is there can be no air spaces any where between the powder and the projectile. I don't know the scientific explanation but it's my understanding that an air space acts like a bore obstruction.
Lots of good info on this forum: Cast Boolits

 

[Road_Clam]

Hello everyone and greetings to the forum.
I made a search around the forums regarding the subj, but all treads are way too old, so i decided to start a new one (admins, please have mercy).

I have a modern replica of Sharps rifle (from Chiappa, Italy) with 32" barrel, and cannot find a reliable reloading data combo for 300 and 350 grn bullets and powders I use (H335 and Benchmark, to be specific).
So, I have a very general question: what's a desirable and reasonable muzzle velocity for 300 and 350 grn bullets for this particular rifle?
Thanks all folks in advance.

PS The AI gave me the numbers that look reasonable to me - but I am too old fashioned guy to trust those things without double check Thanks again.

I have the same rifle in Pedersoli. Really encourage you to skip smokeless loads and switch to BP as you will reap the best accuracy. Not saying that smokeless is poor its good accuracy , but the best accuracy will be had with BP. Heres a great reference that lists all types of smokeless and BP loads . Highly recommend

Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Edition

 

[Broc Tuah]

Hello everyone and greetings to the forum.
I made a search around the forums regarding the subj, but all treads are way too old, so i decided to start a new one (admins, please have mercy).

I have a modern replica of Sharps rifle (from Chiappa, Italy) with 32" barrel, and cannot find a reliable reloading data combo for 300 and 350 grn bullets and powders I use (H335 and Benchmark, to be specific).
So, I have a very general question: what's a desirable and reasonable muzzle velocity for 300 and 350 grn bullets for this particular rifle?
Thanks all folks in advance.

PS The AI gave me the numbers that look reasonable to me - but I am too old fashioned guy to trust those things without double check Thanks again.

1. 500gr+ bullets.
2. Forget about smokeless. Use black. Compressed.

Black will be more accurate. Do a Google search, you will come across as lot of BPCR forums. Several people try smokeless, always go back to BP.