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Posted: 4/20/2012 7:02:45 AM EDT
| I have an originable M1873 TD that I shoot Rem JSPFN 458 dia 405g bullets over 34g of Reloder7 in it. Very accreate out to 200yds with this recipe. My question is, as of now no Rem 45-70`s around, so I`m going to try some Oregon Trail laser hard cast 459 dia, 405g bullets.Can I still use the same amount of RL 7 as I was using with the Rem jacket bullets? Thank in advance. |
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I say, "Yes but..."
There are a few things that could trip you up: Lead bullets will leave lead in the bore if you get any gas cutting. You get gas cutting when the bullet isn't matched to the bore size and gas can escape beside the bullet. The old bores are not known to be overly consistent in diameter so the bullet you selected may or may not fit. Typically, you want the bullet to be 0.001-0.002 larger than the bore. The 0.459 bullet will likely work great in a modern bore that is held to 0.458. Old bores can get into the 0.46? range and your .0459 bullet will likely lead the barrel in that case. The other thing that bothers me is you say you have an original M1873. These do not have the nickel steel barrels that were created in the late 1800's to resist the erosion of smokeless powders. I'm concerned that with much shooting of smokeless powders in your original M1873 you will erase the rifling in your barrel. I'd like to suggest you shoot it as it was originally intended with black powder and soft lead bullets. The black powder will bump the soft lead up to fit whatever your bore measures and the combination will be easy on your bore giving it maximum life. Loading BP isn't hard. It just has a few twists that are different than loading modern powders. Clean up in a sealed breach rifle is just as fast as cleaning a smokeless rifle. Faster than a modern rifle if you are removing copper fouling from the modern rifle. The best part of all is BP has a fire and sound that can't be compared to smokeless. It's just more fun! |
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Why not just buy another brand of jacketed 405 gr bullets and work your load back up. Speer sells a 400 gr jacketed FNSP. At 34.0 grs of Re-7 you are close to max for your rifle, so work back up if you change bullets. Lyman 49 lists a start load of 37.0 grs Re-7 for a cast 405 gr, 39.0 grs listed as max. As always, confirm any load you get on the internet. Typos happen. I listed my source to make it easy for you. The post above brings up some good points. Shoot your rifle, don't hurt it. Good luck
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| Usually, lead goes through the bore easier than copper jackets. So, probably there's no problem. However, bullets seated to different depths might cause serious pressure issues. The chances of two bullets having the cannelure at the same place –– so that free volume in the case is equal –– is remote. Proceed with caution. Drop initial test loads by (at least) 10%. |
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Quoted:
I have an originable M1873 TD that I shoot Rem JSPFN 458 dia 405g bullets over 34g of Reloder7 in it. Very accreate out to 200yds with this recipe. My question is, as of now no Rem 45-70`s around, so I`m going to try some Oregon Trail laser hard cast 459 dia, 405g bullets.Can I still use the same amount of RL 7 as I was using with the Rem jacket bullets? Thank in advance. I've been generally happier with Missouri Bulet Co's 405gr. hard cast slugs rather than Oregon Trail slugs, but that's me. I think they're cheaper as well. |
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