45-70 IN deer legal round development

[djones]

I would like to be posting a picture of a deer taken with my round, but I have a 5 day old newborn at home. Needless to say I have not been hunting yet with my new load. I do want to share my experiences with you all. I am new to reloading so I had a lot of fun with this project. Please use caution as I have altered the case length of a standard cartridge. I did use published data from accurate's website.

I shortened brass roughly to 1.85 with a Dremel and cutoff wheel. Then took it down to 1.795-1.8" with a lee case trimmer for a 460 S&W. Full length resized with lee die. I did not use the expander die. Charged cases and seated bullet.
Crimping done with a 0.3" shortened lee factory crimp die.

Uncrimped with std 45-70 for reference:

Crimped!:

I have a Marlin GBL 45-70 with an 18.5" barrel. I am using Starline 1.8" cases. 30 grains of 5744 powder. Rem LRP. Cast bullet 450 grain round flat nose. OAL is 2.54. Heavy crimp. Velocity 1350-1380 fps.

Recoil is mild compared to my rifled 12 gauge auto slug gun. I was also able to hold a tighter group with the Marlin iron sight at 50 yards compared to my scoped gun!

I hope to be able to slip into the woods soon.

If anyone wants detail on any part of the process. I would be willing to help out.

Edit 12-1-2012

Stand hunting overlooking a 5 acre quail unlimited CRP field. Watched 4 does for about half hour. I waited until the largest gave me an easy shot.
Success. 40 yard shot. One shot ran about 10 yards. Complete pass through no noticeable expansion. After skinning there was no noticeable meat damage.

 

[JILY]

Very cool. We'll look forward to your results.

 

[Broom_jm]

As long as you keep the range down to what is typical for shots on whitetail, under most conditions, I bet that load will get the job done very nicely! Did you cast the bullets yourself? Either way, that is pretty cool stuff and congrats on your new addition to the family.

 

[djones]

As long as you keep the range down to what is typical for shots on whitetail, under most conditions, I bet that load will get the job done very nicely! Did you cast the bullets yourself? Either way, that is pretty cool stuff and congrats on your new addition to the family.

I prefer to bow hunt but when cover is too thick or the shots are too far for a bow this will be my go to gun.

I did not cast the bullets. I bought them from Montana bullet works. Between my family, leather work, reloading..oh yeah and my job I don't need another hobby like casting just yet!

 

[Broom_jm]

That load will get the job done out there as far as most deer are shot in Indiana. Don't forget about the late antlerless season, where it may be too cold for archery, but you get one more chance to put your shortened 45/70 loads to work!

 

[djones]

That load will get the job done out there as far as most deer are shot in Indiana. Don't forget about the late antlerless season, where it may be too cold for archery, but you get one more chance to put your shortened 45/70 loads to work!

I read yesterday about the new season. I think I might be able to leave my new little bundle of joy long enough to hunt by then. Right now I don't want to be very far away from her.

I did slip out into the stand yesterday. I had a easy shot on a young 8 pointer but he needed a couple more years. I also had a shot on a doe in standing corn but I could only see her head. It was about 20 yards and any other time I would have taken a chip in head shot on an eater, but since I was hunting with my new round and gun it just wasn't what I wanted my first dear with this setup to be. I am going to hold out for a nice shot to the vitals. That is what I have been picturing in my head and I am going to wait for that shot.

 

[nkhrfh]

Interested in your results. Keep updating us!

 

[djones]

Interested in your results. Keep updating us!

I will. I need to do some quantifiable accuracy testing. Right now I know I am more accurate than my favorite slug gun but that doesn't mean much to you guys.

 

[Broom_jm]

I will. I need to do some quantifiable accuracy testing. Right now I know I am more accurate than my favorite slug gun but that doesn't mean much to you guys.

Due to the heavy bullet and modest velocity you're generating, the load is probably good for about 150 yards of reasonable trajectory. You don't need great accuracy if that's the range you'll be shooting. Even if you're only getting 4" groups at 100 yards and 6" groups at 150...that will kill deer very reliably. No need to worry too much, but it's still nice to get the best accuracy you can from a rifle.

 

[45-70]

That big 450 grain bullet should let the air out of a deer real quick. Good luck and keep us posted..

 

[djones]

That big 450 grain bullet should let the air out of a deer real quick. Good luck and keep us posted..

I got the idea from your post a few months ago. Any luck yourself?

 

[45-70]

I got the idea from your post a few months ago. Any luck yourself?

I've been under the weather and haven't been able to go hunting yet but maybe that will change soon. I sure would like to see one of those big boys take a deer this season. Congratulations on the new baby hope all is well.

 

[djones]

Updated original post

Had a successful morning. Thank you INgo members for your help in developing this round. I had a great time with my lever gun in the woods!

 

[JILY]

Congratulations

 

[nkhrfh]

Post some pics and how it performed

 

[djones]

Post some pics and how it performed

Check out the original post.

 

[Broom_jm]

AWESOME! It's so cool that you were able to get a nice, fat doe with your 45 Libertarian!

 

[JILY]

Pretty sweet leather hanging off of that Marlin I must say. Congratulations on the doe.

 

[Broom_jm]

You mention that the recoil on these are less than your 12 gauge slug gun, but can you give an indication of how heavy it really is? I mean, is it about like a 180gr '06, a 300 Magnum or maybe a mild 308 Win?

 

[djones]

You mention that the recoil on these are less than your 12 gauge slug gun, but can you give an indication of how heavy it really is? I mean, is it about like a 180gr '06, a 300 Magnum or maybe a mild 308 Win?

Yesterday I didn't feel it. I was even trying to concentrate on all the different aspects. I need to shoot it some more but I would say mild 308 right now. I will try to get some second opinions.

My slug gun is a beretta pintail. It is not for the faint hearted. I will try to give some examples next time me and JILY go shooting.