Q: I’ve always considered the .45-70 an excellent cartridge for use against game in timber at short ranges. If it could have the velocity increased to 2000 or 2200fps in a good single-shot action, I believe it could more than hold its own with the .458 Win. Mag. Can this velocity be achieved with modern powders and still hold the pressures down to safe level? I am considering the Ruger No. 1 falling-block action because it is supposed to be very strong.
Richard Francis
A: You will be able to obtain those velocities only in the Ruger No. 1 and the Browning 1885 single-shots and Siamese or M98 Mausers properly converted to handle .45-70 ammunition. For use only with Speer bullets, a charge of 63gn of AR2206H gets the 350 grainer out at 2020fps and 60gn drives the 400gn bullet at 1997fps. Be aware that the .45-70 case is very thin just in front of the rim, and will sometimes separate when pressures are increased, and these loads produce average pressures of 35,000 cup. Personally, I’d load 2 grains less and accept a slight drop in velocity. By the way, Speer recommends seating their 400gn bullet to the front cannelure for an overall cartridge length of 2.54 inches, since new Rugers in .45-70 have a shorter throat than the earlier models did.
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