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Post by grasshopper on Aug 29, 2021 10:23:39 GMT -7
This question is for the bullet master himself. Year ago up in the great white north I know you told me about and may have even showed me how to make what I think were called “forage” loads for the 45/70. From what I remember the purpose of these loads would be if the 45/70 was the only rifle you had and you were hunting or in a survival situation and something like a grouse presented itself you could use this load to take him. I just can’t remember how or with what it was loaded, I’m thinking something like some smaller buckshot and maybe the top of the case was either crimped closed, like the older 22lr shot shells were or maybe you put a small paper or plastic disc on the top and crimped on it, I’m just not sure. I would like to make some of these up to keep in the ammo band I have on the buttstock of my rifle just in case. Thanks so much!!
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Post by Bullshop on Aug 29, 2021 17:37:00 GMT -7
I think you are remembering some shot loads I made up back then. When I loaded the 45-70 with heavy shot I always preferred #2 or #4 shot because they carried more energy to longer range. What I was doing is using 410 gauge shot cups in the 45-70 case then crimping the case mouth over a 45 caliber gas check. That worked OK for moderate range but at longer range shot patterning was kind of spotty likely due to the rifled barrel.
I was also duplication the original arsenal forage load which consists of three 45 caliber round balls stacked with the front ball crimped at its middle.
This type ammo was issued to troops to forage around the forts to harvest deer to supply meat for the troops. Its like a 0000000 buck shot load. When loaded right it will hold about a 6" pattern at 50 yards. This is the load I always left for Tina in a 45-70 double rifle we had when we first moved to Alaska. When I went for my long walkabouts I left both barrels loaded with the three ball load and told Tina if a bear tries to get in the cabin to cock both hammers and pull both triggers. That might hurt a little but far less than being mauled. Six 45 caliber holes lets blood out pretty fast so should end the fight pretty quick.
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Post by grasshopper on Aug 29, 2021 19:18:17 GMT -7
I’m sure that’s what I was remembering, I never thought about using a GC for some reason. I have quite a few boxes of 410 and only a little single shot bolt action Mossberg 410 so I’ll have to try and make some of those up. I just thought it would be great to have if armed with only a 45/70 in the woods. Thanks again, I really appreciate you going back all those years to remember!😁
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Post by Bullshop on Aug 30, 2021 7:10:13 GMT -7
Took that long trip but never left my seat at the computer. As I recall I had to trim some of the base of the 410 wads off so to get a full shot charge in the cup.
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Post by grasshopper on Aug 30, 2021 7:22:18 GMT -7
Ha! That’s funny! It has been just a little while ago, seems like a really long time ago when I see pics of Jr now too! I’m like, there’s no way I can really be that old, then I try to do something by myself I should of been smart and asked for help with and bam! Then I really feel my age for sure. One thing I didn’t ask and should have, when you say you use the 410 shot cup I figure you’re talking about the wad with all the shot and stuff inside? Do you use the powder charge from the 410 or is it separate in the 45/70 case? Thanks!!
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Post by Bullshop on Aug 30, 2021 12:42:18 GMT -7
I used the modern plastic 410 wads with the three or four petals where the shot goes and the collapsible base. The collapsible base part is what I trimmed off so I could seat the remaining part of the wad, the shot cup all the way down on the powder so as to enable more room for shot. As for powder charge I was just going by the weight of the shot charge then applying book 45-70 load data to that projectile weight. I was staying with Trap Door pressures though. Pattern density was not that good past about 25 to 30 yards but with that heavy shot it only takes one pellet to do considerable damage.
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