Tim....... 45/120?

[sooter]

Tim,

can I have my 45/70 rechambered to the 45-120? In the longer buffalo barrel, what kind of velocities would we be looking to with 300-350 grain bullet weights? Do you personally think that this is a worthwhile conversion and is the ballistic gain worth the time and effort? I can give my grandson the shorter stainless barrel and keep it in 45/70 but that 45-120 is real intriging.

[quickdtoo]

Sure, velocity will pretty much be limited by your threshold for pain from recoil tho. I've only shot published loads that were up to the 31kpsi limit or a tad more, but Tykempster has shot unpublished loads that are based on QuickLoad 3.4 predictions in the 40kpsi range with his 45-120 BC with no ill effect on him or the BC. Since the BC uses the same SB2 frame as the 500S&W Handi which has a larger case head and is loaded well over 50kpsi, loading the 45-120 up isn't a real issue as far as frame strength, just your shoulder strength!!  

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,145407.msg1098591316.html#msg1098591316

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,146019.msg1098595981.html#msg1098595981

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,148995.msg1098618734.html#msg1098618734


Richard is also working on a 45-120.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,156983.msg1098684720.html#msg1098684720

The 45-120 won't really do anything the 45-70 won't do if using published data, but it will do it with less pressure and bigger bullets, for example, ruger data for a 500gr bullet at 1800fps is at ~40kpsi, the 45-120 will do it at about 10kpsi less pressure with room to spare for bigger bullets. But the shock and awe factor of the 45-120 is really immeasurable.

Tim

[petemi]

Tim, I'm very comfortable with my .45-70 Handi.  I think I'll leave the "Shock and Awe" to youse guys. 

Chicken Pete

[quickdtoo]

Me too, that's why I have 4 45-70s, the 45-120 is more of a novelty than anything else tho, it just looks like a 45-70 on steroids.....unless you load it up like Tyler does, then it really IS a 45-70 on steroids!!

Tim

[Troyboy]

Shock and awe is a mild understatement

[sooter]

Okay Tim, I'm scared now! I think I'll just go ahead and stick with the 45/70, especially since I have 500 nickel plated cases on order  . Thank you for your honest opinions Tim, they are very helpful and give me more insight into what I would like to do or think i would like to do.

[NFG]

Here is a little more to mull over, Sooter...I rechambered my BC to 45-100, 2.6" case length...the case capacity is 102gr H20 weighed on two different digital scales just to be sure...that is almost the same as a 458 Lott.  I have loaded 435 gr bullets to the same velocity as the Lott as you find in several reloading manuals and also using Load from a Disk V5.0.  My gun weighs 11# and I don't have much problem with the recoil except off the bench in testing loads...the recoil does get tiresome.

I just received my Ranger Rick Tyrannosaurus Thumpers, 720 gr, but to use them effectively I need to throat out another 0.600" to 0.700" so I have a seating depth of 0.0500" and can therefore have a larger case volume available for powder.  The resulting loaded cartridge will be 3.25" long...the same length as the 45-120 chamber...and the recoil will be above the 100 ft lb range...460-475 Weatherby and 470 Nitro neighborhood. 

...and that is the fly in the pie...do I  just throat or do I rechamber out to 45-120?...the throater is only 10 bucks less than the 45-120 reamer...I can still shoot the 45-100 cartridges in the longer chamber and also maybe try some 45-110, 2.8" cases....BUT...

I garontee I will reach my recoil maximum long before I reach the maximum potential of the 720 TT's in the 120 case and even in the 100 case.   

If you're just wanting an excellent shooter for big game within about 125 yds stick with the 45-70...using  heavier bullets, 400-500 plus will get you any game on the face of the earth without breaking you shoulder or dislodging a cornea.

If you want to experience the world of S&M and pain induction....go for the 45-120 and the 720 gr TT's...you won't be disappointed...

But be careful....the big ones are more addictive than "horse". 

Enjoy your toys and the holidays.

[Chas.]

To clarify what Tim alluded to previously, if you get a 45-70 (SB-2) you can add have just about any available rifle or shotgun barrel fitted to it.  If you get a 44 (SB-1), you're limited to shotgun barrels and 357.  For me, that would be a deciding factor.

[quickdtoo]

A .357 barrel can't be fitted to the SB1 44mag, nor can a 44mag barrel be fitted to the SB1 357 according to their note.  That may be in error tho because they do not mention the Huntsman barrel. 

Tim

*Note: The frame of the 44 Mag. (SB1-S44) and the 357 Mag. (SB1-S35) cannot be fit with any other centerfire rifle barrel. They are capable of being fit with accessory shotgun barrels, but their rifle capability is limited to the specific 44 or 357 Mag. barrel that it is shipped on the gun.