Max C.O.L for 45-70 Handi

[GrassLakeRon]

Hi all,

   What is the max C.O.L for a non-improved handi rifle.  Thanks

Ron

[bikerbeans]

GL ROn,

Depends on the bullet and your rifle's throat.  You have to measure for each bullet type to know how long you can load a cartridge.  I believe the spec. for a 45-70 max is 2.55" but I know in both my 45-70s there are more than a few bullets out there if you load to 2.55" you will be jamming the projectile into the rifling.  Hornady sells a gage to measure this or look in the FAQs for other methods.

Good luck

BB

[Chas.]

I can load 405gr RNFP to 2.665 in mine, but all rifles may not be the same.

[Troyboy]

Ok here is a really simple thing to do to be sure if you do not have a gauge. Take a cleaning rod and stick it through the barrel to the breech( rifle closed and empty) make a mark. Next open the rifle and insert a bullet. Stick in a bullet and hold in place one way or another stick in the rod and make a mark. The distance between the two is what you are after. Then adjust col accordingly. The book says 2.550

[quickdtoo]

As BB said, it depends on the bullet, you can see the difference in ogive shape and length in the comparison below, L to R, 300gr Speer, 300gr Rem, 405gr Rem, 400gr Speer FN, 350gr Speer FN, 350gr Hornady RN and 350gr Hornady FP Interlock. Most H&R 45-70 throats are short, I had to throat three of mine to load 350gr Hornadys and 405gr Rems to 2.55". A more precise way than using the cleaning rod and not a costly as any tool you can buy is Fred M's simple COL gauge in the FAQs.  

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,112672.msg1098350243.html#msg1098350243

[nebrguy]

The throats must vary a lot from rifle to rifle. I can load the 405 gr. Rem to 2.55-2.56 " with not the slightest hint of closing / chambering problems or signs of rifling on bullet marks whatsoever, and have done so for years. Here a fellow mentions he can do 2.665 " with a 405 RNFP, which with some have a similar ogive to the Rem. 405, yet others can't do 2.55 " without issues.

[quickdtoo]

The Rem 405gr factory loads have a COL of anywhere from 2.532" to 2.541", real consistent in the two boxes I have. 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

YUP, They do vary quite a bit.. get a good gauge, I like the old stony point model and make a chamber cast. NO MORE GUESSING.

CW

[beng]

I have been thinking about this also.   I have the 32" barrel 45-70 and had been using 405 bullets, at 2.55 COL.  I'm just off the lands.   I was going to get a Brooks 500gr New Postel or Creedmoor bullet, for long range, but before I put out that kind of money, I wanted to see if a 500 would be OK.   I got the Lee 459-500 3R bullet mold (it's sure not a Brooks) It's at 495gr with a length of 1.37" and .448 at the nose diameter.  I tryed it and at a COL of 2.80" I'm just off the lands also.   The length of the nose is .670.   With this COL of 2.80" and not touching the lands, is it OK?   I tryed it at 200yds and it was good, I just have to get a new load for this bullet.   So now I know what to tell Brooks in making mine.

[MSM]

  I can seat a Remington 405 bullet out to about 2.60. It fits a little snug on closing. I can get a Speer 400 to close with a length of 2.525, but that is the max over all length with that bullet. The Speer bullet is crimped in the cannelure. I seated a Lee 500 grain round nosed cast bullet at 2.70 and it closed with no problem. I loaded some Remington 300s, but I crimped them in the cannelure and didn't take any notes on the over all length. I had no problems with some Hornady round nosed 350 grain bullets. I didn't play with the seating depth on them either. 
  MSM

[bikerbeans]

beng,

the lyman 535 grain postel should have an OAL about 0.15" longer than the Lee 500 grain RN bullet you have.  Least that was my experience loading my Handi 45-70s, neither of which have had the throats reamed. 

BB