joining the club... new .45-70 on the way!

[wileynet]

that sucks, the last 2 handi,s i bought were at gun show private sales paperwork not even required between individuals, bought, paid for and shooting within the hour

[cudatruck]

yes in CA we have all kinds of wierd laws. unless you are a police officer..... then most don't apply. simple ordinary citizens are deemed to be nutz or criminals untill proven otherwise.

[Shu]

45-70 is an awesome caliber. My 90 lb daughter shoots it with no problem. 400 grain lead bullet 12.0 grains of unique. Bullet is just under the speed of sound. Very pleasnet to shoot.
That load comes from a very old Lyman book and you can google GMDR lever action for some other nice pleasant loads.
 
I use the 400 grain lead bullet alot. It is a good fit between the teeny bullets of 250-350 grains and the heacy weights 500-600 grains. I shoot alot of casts, I have a nice little 250 grain bullet mold that is fun to shoot also,
 
For big boy loads in the 45-70, Reloader 7, IMR3031, H322 or IMR 4198 are good choices.
Pops always said if you want velocity and reasonable accuaracy Rl7 or IMR 3031. If you want accuracy and reasonable veloctiy IMR4198. YMMV

[tacklebury]

I've personally had great luck of late with the 350 gr. Hornady FP interlock.  Shoots a little flatter, little less kick and still knocks the snot out of anything it hits.  Holds together better than the 300 gr. HP and doesn't explode so bad.  The 300's are a tad more accurate, but explosive in the damage dept.  For pigs I wouldn't be afraid to use the 350 FP at all, in one side and out the other even if it hits bones.  I like Reloader7 and have had great luck with it from 34 gr. Trap door level loads to 52 gr. Barn burners.  My current go-to hunting load is 49gr. Reloader7.  I have done some BP with it too, which is really fun.  BP is really expensive around here though, so I stick to smokeless now except for my Muzzle loaders and Ruger Old Army.    At 300 yards with this load, I just aim at the top of the shoulder and the rest is history.  At 200 yards about 6" up and dead on from 125 yards to zero.  For me I consider it point blank to 150 yards anyway.