Hello all,
I am new here and new to the 45/70 Handi-Rifle. As many of you probably know, Mississippi enacted a law last year that makes any single shot firearm with a patent before 1894 and .38 caliber or larger legal during the primitive weapons seasons. So I purchased the 45/70 handi-rifle as many have. The 38/55's in the Buffalo Classic have been popular to hand-loaders. I plan on reloading the 45/70 next year, I already have dies but little time left in deer season.
I just sold an encore and I had a 375 H&H barrel for it, I have always liked big powerful cartridges. A very interesting web site that I have found on the 45/70's is garrettcartridges.com. One guy took the 45/70 on a safari and killed the Big Five with hard cast bullets which shot through a cape buffalo lengthwise which was very impressive to me.
I have seen many posts on here about loading the 45/70 and can't wait to work some deer loads up. Another question that I have is I plan on sending mine in and getting either a 204 or 223 barrel. I will be handloading so ammunition price is irrelevant. I know that alot of people here like the 223, but after reading all about the 1 in 9" twist on the new barrels, I am not sure if I like that or not.
So what would you suggest the 223 or 204. And if anyone has a load preference for the 45/70, I am all ears.
Thanks...