Handi 45-70 case bulge?

[Down South]

I was at the range a couple days ago sighting in a scope on my Handi 45-70. I noticed that I’m getting a slight bulge in the case in the higher-pressure lever loads. Is this normal? Accuracy is good with about 1-1/2 to 2"” groups @ 100 Yds.

[stimpylu32]

Down South

A little more info please , were is the buldge ? And does it do all the way around the case or just on one side ?

stimpy

[Saloon slug]

Where is the bulg on the case? Do you have any pics that could show folks what you are talking about?

[Down South]

The bulge is on one side only close to the rim. I didn’t think to take any pics and I’m at work. I won’t be back home till next Tuesday.  It’s only the higher-pressure loads that the cases are bulging on. Trap Door loads show no noticeable bulge.

[Mitch in MI]

Is the bulge shaped like the extractor slot in the bottom of the chamber?

[stimpylu32]

Mitch

You may be on to something here .

Down South

Do you remember by chance what the load was , powder , charge , bullet , COL , ect .

stimpy

[Down South]

The bullets are factory. They are the leverelvolutions (Spelling). The bulge isn’t shaped like the extractor groove but like a small belly. Dang I wish that I had took a pic. Another thing that I didn’t try was to rechamber the casing 180 deg from the position it was fired in. I didn’t notice the bulge till I was almost finished sighting the scope in. All of the higher pressure casings had the bulge but none of the Trap Door casings had the bulge. 

[stimpylu32]

I may be loosing my mind but i think i remember something about the HornadyElv. ammo having soft cases , I'll look and see if i can find it , don't recall if i saw it on the net or in one of my gun mags .

stimpy

[Down South]

When I get home next week, I'll take a picture of one of the cases and post it. The rifle does shoot well with the higher pressure loads. I think 1" groups would be possible. So far I've only shot about 30 rounds through it.

[EsoxLucius]

It is common to see a bulge with the 45-70 with factory ammunition, especially in the Marlin 1895.  I haven't shot any factory ammo in my H&R to notice if it happens there as well.  Wouldn't surprise me since its possible that Marlin and H&R use the same source for 45-70 chamber reamers.  It is just the case expanding to conform to the chamber.  I saw this 30 years ago and have been answering that question ever since.