Reloading 45-70 and 50-70 Government

[Carlsr]

I have been reloading 45-70 and 50-70 for the past few years using 2f black powder. I have only used cardboard wads punched from juice cartons. The wad punches do not have the size on them but they fit snug in the case. I'm looking to buy wads from either buffalo arms or track of the wolf but they list different diameters and thickness. Could anyone tell me the size I should be using? Thanks

[jaie5070]

It's been a while since I loaded anything for my 50-70s, but i think i was going for groove diameter. Or what i could get into the case. Have you measured your wads?

[Carlsr]

No, I have not but I did measure the inside of the case. Should the wads be the same diameter as the bullet? The inside case measures 512 and bullets are 516 for my 50 70.

[Sunray]

Didn't use any wad during the Great BP Cartridge Experiment(.45-70 out of a TD Carbine.), long ago. Don't recall using 2F powder either. Every round went bang.
"...wad punches do not have the size on them..." Measure the diameter of the wad.

[sdkrag]

Curious as to why you use wads. Shoot both 45-70 and 50-70 and have never used wads on several thousand rounds?

[dogtag]

Don't shoot anymore, but back when I did I used a 45/70 wad cutter.
Worked just fine - good bullet fit. Can't remember where I bought it, but it
shouldn't be too hard to track it down. Midsouth Shooters Supply maybe ?
Buffalo ?

[RCS]

I use to also do a fair amount of blackpowder cartridge shooting using trapdoors and rolling blocks. I
even built up a Remington rolling block with a heavy Numrich barrel in 45-70. Most of my shooting was
at small metal plates three and six inches in diameter at different ranges. I even made a tang sight for
my rolling block and to figure the graduations I would fire a 500 gr 45-70 bullet with a blackpowder load
and when it kept hits the three inch plate at 100 yards I marked the sight leaf.

I used wads and even double wads with lub in between, to really keep the bore clean I use to drop in
5 or 6 grains of 4759 in the 45-70 case then the black powder

Also made a nose pour smooth paper patch bullet mould. Always difficult to compress your load with
the paper patch bullet. Can not really say the paper patch bullets shot any better except at certain
ranges. It was all fun shooting and I could get back into it again.44015440164401744018

[Major Tom]

Never used a wad in my 45-70. 70 grains of BP filled the case and was compressed by the bullet (500 gr.). After 5 rounds I would swab the bore with a wet cloth patch.

[Randy A]

John Walters is the guy to call, in fact ha makes the wads that Buffalo Arms sells. He also sells certified lead and tin. He's very reasonable and ships in flat rate boxes, really great guy. .030 is the most common thickness. I sent a PM with his contact info.

[Carlsr]

Thanks RandyA

[Carlsr]

I don't use wads in my 45 70 either. 59 gr. 2F compressed by a hollow base 405 gr. bullet. I have not used the 500 gr. bullet yet. In my 50 70 I use 70 gr 2F , compressed with a card wad then a 515 diameter 450 gr. bullet. Just trying to find a wad that will help keep the bore somewhat cleaner.

[jon_norstog]

Curious as to why you use wads. Shoot both 45-70 and 50-70 and have never used wads on several thousand rounds?

I use them on my 45-70 to separate my sloppy, bore-butter-greased bullets from the powder. I usually load the powder and cram down a wad in the press, then load the bullets later. The wad keeps the powder in pretty good. I use commercial lubed felt wads, some of them say .44 on the package but they seem to work in the 45-70 case.

The wad is pretty good also when it comes to loading a compressed charge, like a true 70 gr. of Swiss BP, which would otherwise fill the 45-70 case close to the top.

YMMV

jn

[Carlsr]

I purchased some wads from Buffalo Arms. 510 diameter, 062 thick. I loaded some 50 70 with 70 gr. 2F with a cardboard wad before getting the wads. Had to compress quite a bit to get the bullet in to a COL of 2.215 which was at the crimp grove. Have not shot them yet. I have an 1869 cadet that I loaded some rounds with 55 gr and used 2 of the wads I purchased from Buffalo Arms. I loaded up 5 to test so will see how they shoot along with the full 70 gr. charge.

[remus]

I have an 1873 that was cut down to a carbine. 45-70 cal. I load 55 grn 3f behind a 315 gr. gas check bullet. I lube the bullet with a home made lube and lube by hand. Accuracy is real good and it is a comfortable rifle to shoot with this load and with this lube it doesn't foul badly. I did kill a deer with it years ago but now it is a plinker for me. Fun gun.