.50 3 1/4” to .45/70 re-barrel

[NDuckhunter2]

I have an old NY made Shiloh #3 sporting rifle that I’m sending to y’all for a new barrel. I’ve decided to have it re-barreled in .45/70 do to reloading component availability and the fact I already load/ cast for it. I understand there are some options for different throats and rifling twist ect… I’m going to shoot grease groove bullets in the 400 to 500 grain range, I primarily use the original style military 405 hollow base bullets and the traditional lyman 400gr flat base bullets but also the traditional Lyman military style 500 grain round nose bullet and might use lee’s 500 grain pointed bullet in the future. All loaded with black powder and generally a pretty soft alloy. What would y’all recommend as far as throat and twist? I was thinking of sticking with the same 30” barrel length and profile unless there’s some great reason to change lol. Should be plenty stout in .45/70. Thanks in advance.

[Randy Bohannon]

I have two Bryan built Shilohs both with their standard 1:18 and normal 45-70 chamber. Unless your after something different there’s nothing to think about,standard chamber will do everything you described with aplomb provided good bullet fit is accomplished.

[gunlaker]

Like Randy says, just go with the default chamber and twist. You'll be happy with it for sure.

Chris.

[Randy Bohannon]

I will add the Lee Pointed bullet is not a good performer past 350-400 yds same for the 405 gr. HB. Your new barrel deserves a good bullet from BACO/Steve Brooks makes a Pointy Bullet mould that shoots very well in my 45-70’s.@ 510 gr.

[NDuckhunter2]

That’s good info, thanks for that. I originally wanted it I. .44/77 but it’s just too difficult sourcing reloading components these days. Hopefully someday the brass situation sorts out and I can get into the .44/77 and .50/90.

[Kirk]

What they said, 1x18 standard chamber

[NDuckhunter2]

Awesome, thanks!

[Luke]

This is the Gov't bullet you want. https://www.buffaloarms.com/460-500-grn ... 61881.html

[NDuckhunter2]

I’ve had my eye out for the saeco mould at gun shows, I hear it’s better than the Lyman because it drops a larger bullet. To be honest I have several Lyman .45/70 moulds and have only liked the their 140 grain button bullet I use for gallery rounds. The others seem undersized, especially when running soft alloys, the new ones also seem pickier about mould handles.

[Randy Bohannon]

.459.”460” will be the best diameter, my well annealed fired cases measure .460” at the case mouth for both of my 45-70’s made 18 years apart which is no surprise to me. Shiloh maintains the best possible tolerances achievable making mould ordering much easier.

[bpcr shooter]

That’s good info, thanks for that. I originally wanted it I. .44/77 but it’s just too difficult sourcing reloading components these days. Hopefully someday the brass situation sorts out and I can get into the .44/77 and .50/90.

you could do the 44-70?? thats what dad did and it shoots very well. 45-70 brass is just necked to 44. dies from ch4d are available

[Luke]

He wants an historical Sharps caliber.

[Steve Sudbeck]

I had to Google the word “aplomb”. As quoted from Gus McCrea, “I’d like the chance to shoot at an educated man, once in my life.”

[Ray Newman]

BPCRShooter mentioned the .44-70/.44-70 Gov't. For Those-Not-In-The-Know:

https://www.blackpowdercartridge.com/ke ... -the-44-70

[NDuckhunter2]

Luke is correct, I was interested in the .44/77 for the historical significance. It just so happens that I ran across a Remington rolling block in .44/77 last week locally, surprisingly the bore is really nice but the barrel appears to be shortened and has an extra rear sight dove tail, hopefully he takes my offer. You’d think you would run into “buffalo” guns all over in the Dakotas but they are very rare. I think most of the hunters must have sold their guns in Minneapolis on their way back east after they failed at hunting or ran out of buffalos, as it was the jumping off point. You see a lot more in Mn, they have a larger population too I suppose.