New 45/70 question

[Hairtrigger]

I just happened onto a Win 1885 Highwall in 45/70. My first impression is I like the feel better than a Ruger NO.1
My question is when reloading, is the action as strong?
I seriously doubt I would ever push the 45/70 hard as I would rather go with another caliber than shoot max loads
Just wondering

[3leggedturtle]

I would think your shoulder will give out before the rifle would. A 405gr bullet at 1300fps will do anything you ever need to eat. Plenty more experienced will chime in soon. Todd/3leg

[BAGTIC]

If it is a modern manufacture (Japanese) example I would say it is close enough you would never notice the difference. When I first got mine many years ago I loaded a 600 grain cast bullet at 1900 fps and did not feel the need to go any farther. The recoil approximates a 405 grain at 2800 fps. Okay off hand but a bear from the bench.

Nowadays after having had my shoulder surgically repaired I stick to more moderate loads, mostly in the 'Marlin' category.

[Hairtrigger]

I have several boxes of old Rem factory 405gr
I think if I look and dig I have some 500gr for handloading
I was a bit concerned about the fact I traded a Ruger for it and I have handloaded ammo for it

[Tactical Lever]

If it is a modern manufacture (Japanese) example I would say it is close enough you would never notice the difference. When I first got mine many years ago I loaded a 600 grain cast bullet at 1900 fps and did not feel the need to go any farther. The recoil approximates a 405 grain at 2800 fps. Okay off hand but a bear from the bench.

Nowadays after having had my shoulder surgically repaired I stick to more moderate loads, mostly in the 'Marlin' category.

Surgically repaired, or reattached?! Sounds a little "stout".

[hfcable]

If it is a modern manufacture (Japanese) example I would say it is close enough you would never notice the difference. When I first got mine many years ago I loaded a 600 grain cast bullet at 1900 fps and did not feel the need to go any farther. The recoil approximates a 405 grain at 2800 fps. Okay off hand but a bear from the bench.

Nowadays after having had my shoulder surgically repaired I stick to more moderate loads, mostly in the 'Marlin' category.

i have one of these rifles too. 600 gr at 1900 fps approximates the ballistic of a freight train....and would probably kill a freight train engine outright !!

[Chuck 100 yd]

If the 1885 is a modern made one, have no fear. You will give out long before it or a no.1 will.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

The Ruger #1 is basically a High Wall with an internal hammer. Either in modern form will more than handle any of the high pressure rounds. Which the 45-70 is not.
Modern #1's and Hi walls both can be had in 7mm Rem mag. Those guns see 61,000 PSI. That's more than twice the pressures of 45-70. It's peaked at 28,000 PSI

[sore shoulder]

After many, many experiments with home brew, skull rattling 45-70 loads that gave me my user name here, I'm fairly convinced the ONLY reason to push the cartridge, barring a couple exceptions, is just to say you did it. The one exception I would make is using a light, high (for cartridge) BC bullet to flatten the trajectory thereby extending the point blank range/reduce holdover. The high strength single shots are a natural partner for such a round. I do not know where the High Wall falls into this, but would be reluctant to subject one to that type of use.

Edit, I defer to Nate et al, I should have read further. My response was in reference to a vintage rifle.

[sore shoulder]

The Ruger #1 is basically a High Wall with an internal hammer. Either in modern form will more than handle any of the high pressure rounds. Which the 45-70 is not.
Modern #1's and Hi walls both can be had in 7mm Rem mag. Those guns see 61,000 PSI. That's more than twice the pressures of 45-70. It's peaked at 28,000 PSI

Nate, I'm fairly certain Ruger No. 1 loads are over 40K psi, and Marlin 1895 and 1886 fall at different points respectively somewhere between that and the 28K psi, which is low trap door pressures iirc. I'm too lazy to look it all up this morning. Regardless, much lower than the 61K psi of a 7mm mag, and your point is valid.
.

[vancelw]

The Ruger #1 is basically a High Wall with an internal hammer. Either in modern form will more than handle any of the high pressure rounds. Which the 45-70 is not.
Modern #1's and Hi walls both can be had in 7mm Rem mag. Those guns see 61,000 PSI. That's more than twice the pressures of 45-70. It's peaked at 28,000 PSI

Nate, I'm fairly certain Ruger No. 1 loads are over 40K psi, and Marlin 1895 and 1886 fall at different points respectively somewhere between that and the 28K psi, which is low trap door pressures iirc. I'm too lazy to look it all up this morning. Regardless, much lower than the 61K psi of a 7mm mag, and your point is valid.
.

I thought the same thing when I read Nate's post, so I looked at Accurate #2 manual and it lists the Ruger loads (lumped in with Marlin and Sharps) as all being under 28K psi. But, after reading your comment, I look on Hodgdon's site and it lists loads of up to 50K CUP.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Let me clarify, the # 1 and the modern hi-walls will easily handle the 7mm mags 61,000. I did not mean to infer the 45-70 cartridge could be loaded to those levels. My point was the # 1 and the modern hi-walls will easily handle normal 45-70 loads

[sore shoulder]

Let me clarify, the # 1 and the modern hi-walls will easily handle the 7mm mags 61,000. I did not mean to infer the 45-70 cartridge could be loaded to those levels. My point was the # 1 and the modern hi-walls will easily handle normal 45-70 loads

Yes that much was clear. The confusion for me was the "peaks at 28K psi", which in any of my numerous manuals of various vintages is middle of the road trapdoor pressures that would be safe in any action. Now I'm feeling the need to peruse them for a refresher.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Let me clarify, the # 1 and the modern hi-walls will easily handle the 7mm mags 61,000. I did not mean to infer the 45-70 cartridge could be loaded to those levels. My point was the # 1 and the modern hi-walls will easily handle normal 45-70 loads

Yes that much was clear. The confusion for me was the "peaks at 28K psi", which in any of my numerous manuals of various vintages is middle of the road trapdoor pressures that would be safe in any action. Now I'm feeling the need to peruse them for a refresher.

I'm thinking that would be your average factory loadings. Reloading info does seem to go beyond with notes like "in modern guns" or something to that effect.

[sore shoulder]

Yes. And at least one of my manuals has sections labeled Springfield trapdoor levels, Marlin 1895 levels, and Ruger #1. I'm going to dig into them in the morning over coffee. I have my pet loads for 45-70 and haven't needed to use a manual for around ten years, just the Lee dippers.