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Can 45 lc ammo be fired in 45-70 rifle?


Brooklyn Slim

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With expense and scarcity of 45-70 ammo and brass, was wondering if 45 lc ammo will work in sharps type rifles chambered for 45-70? Like 45 schofield works just fine in 45 lc revovlers.

 

Rather ask first rather than experimanting.

 

Thanks to those who share their knowledge and opinions.

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The short answer is NO. .45Colt is either .454" dia., or .452". Whereas .45-70 is .457" to .458"

 

In addition, the rim and case dimensions are significantly different.

.45 Colt:45colt.jpg

 

.45-70: 4570.jpg

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I don't have the databook in front of me, but I think the rim diameter is totally wrong. In addition, even if it was right, and the cartridge fit the chamber tight, the bullet would have to travel over an inch before it engaged the rifling in the barrel. That would be bad for accuracy, not to mention resulting in a HUGE buildup of lead at the entrance to the barrel. Not a good idea!

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No, not even if you tried to make an adapter case, like what allows .30 carbine to be fired in 308 or 30-06. Bore diameters, as shown by the SAAMI diagrams, are way apart.

 

With lead bullet reloads, it can be within a few cents of just as cheap to shoot 45-70 as 45 Colt.

 

A problem looking for no solution.

 

Good luck, GJ

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The 45 70 has a rim diameter of .608 and a base diameter of .505.

 

The 45 Colt has a rim diameter of .512 and a base diameter of .480.

 

The 45 Colt would probably fire in the 45 70 but it would split the case.

 

Also, 45 Colt bullets are .452 and 45 70 bullets are .457 so the accuracy would be bad to say the least.

 

SCG

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Rather ask first rather than experimanting .experimenting.

Slim, I really wish you would have experimented - putting both rounds next to each other with a set of calipers in hand or try putting a 45 Colt in a 45-70 chamber. You would have made one less post!

Your question is not the first time it has been asked either. When I see this post, the next thing I do is look at poster's badge number ;)

 

Both calibers were invented a year apart: 1872 and 1873. If the Colt, handgun cartridge, could have been chambered in the 1873 Springfield 45-70 rifle chamber, don't you think the firearms manufacturers would have been advertising about it for 140 years?

 

Further, just because the calibers start with '45' doesn't mean that other calibers starting with say, 22, 25, 32, 35, 38, 40 and 50 are interchangeable too

 

If you are serious about shooting a 45-70 rifle - it's time to start casting and reloading. If your a 50 round a year 45-70 shooter and worried about expense - time to retrench to 22LR

 

 

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Slim, I really wish you would have experimented - putting both rounds next to each other with a set of calipers in hand or try putting a 45 Colt in a 45-70 chamber. You would have made one less post!

Your question is not the first time it has been asked either. When I see this post, the next thing I do is look at poster's badge number ;)

 

Both calibers were invented a year apart: 1872 and 1873. If the Colt, handgun cartridge, could have been chambered in the 1873 Springfield 45-70 rifle chamber, don't you think the firearms manufacturers would have been advertising about it for 140 years?

 

Further, just because the calibers start with '45' doesn't mean that other calibers starting with say, 22, 25, 32, 35, 38, 40 and 50 are interchangeable too

 

If you are serious about shooting a 45-70 rifle - it's time to start casting and reloading. If your a 50 round a year 45-70 shooter and worried about expense - time to retrench to 22LR

Your response is stereotypical of what one would expect from someone from Jersey! Fortunately, I know many folks from Jersey who are gracious, who try to be helpful, and who do not insult people with less knowledge than themselves.

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Brooklyn Slim,

 

John Boy is (normally) a nice guy with lots knowledge that he shares freely. You either hit on a pet peeve with your question or he is having a really bad day.

 

Dogmeat (Never Take The Wire Personally) Dad

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Brooklyn Slim, your question is a valid one and one that our calvary soldiers tried in the 1870s and 1880s.

This is two completely different cartridges that just sound similar.

 

This lack of forethought poses a bigger problem with the .44 S&W Magnum and the .444 Marlin. That was a case of could of/should of.

 

There is plenty of information about loading the .45-70 online from 'knoweldegable' cowboys, reloading suppliers and honorable publications like Handloader and Rifle.

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Your response is stereotypical of what one would expect from someone from Jersey! Fortunately, I know many folks from Jersey who are gracious, who try to be helpful, and who do not insult people with less knowledge than themselves.

There was an identical question on the Wire a few weeks ago... (coulda been a coupla months, but who counts?) That wasn't the first time I'd seen it, and I suspect this won't be the last. Many other questions are repeated, ad nauseum... Even when folks do a search, it's not very helpful as the "archive" feature is non-existant. John Boy is very helpful & sharing with his knowledge and expertise in BP cartridges... and his answer was quite civil compared to what other folks might have written... ;)

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Brooklyn Slim, You can get set up fairly cheap to reload 45-70. I don't want to changeover my Dillon for a short run, so I bought a used Lee Turret Press on here with dies and extras for $150.00. I also bought their powder measure. It's not a Dillon and the prime system needs help sometimes, but it works for me. Bullets are fairly reasonable too. I like making my own rounds, I think you have a lot better consistency when powder is weighed and cartridges are hand made. Lots of folks shoot but don't know much about cartridges, so it ain't a dumb question. Good luck....

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I would heck-of-a-sight rather see folks ask the question than perform those experiments. Perhaps the questions and companying answers may save someone else serious problems in the future. We do not want to say anything that might discourage the questions!

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I would heck-of-a-sight rather see folks ask the question than perform those experiments.

Bob, between the Internet links for caliber dimensions, a set of calipers and a 45 Colt case, a 45-70 case with a 45-70 rifle ... one learning themselves is more long term academically beneficial and less embarrassing than posting such a question and be "insulted' by me!

 

BTW, one doesn't even need a set of calipers, the 2 different cases and a 45-70 rifle. All they have to do is use their Internet browser and ... Read!

Here's one of the better Internet resources ... http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

Here's another one ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Colt with it's other needed caliber ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45-70

One has the answer instantly- 24x7 and doesn't have to log onto the SASS Wire and post the question

Also, in case the question arises and don't want to look the answer up either ... a 410 shot shell won't chamber in a 45-70, 45-90, 45-110 or 45-120. But with an extended cylinder length - will chamber in a 45 Colt

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Was it a dedicated 45-70 shotshell they used back then in the "forager" trapdoors or a 410? Was the 410 even around then?

 

Wait a minute seems I remember reading once they used a special barrel, thinkin' it was a 20 gauge maybe??

They were 20 gauge.

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I just started CAS, and have all of 3 matches under my belt. There were side matches for various skills at the Maryland State Championship in Damascus, MD, one of which was long distance rifle. I was intrigued by the rifles, especially the Sharps, and began looking into various rifles.

 

Having recently dumped a pile of dough (for my retired income based budget) in revolvers, lever rifles, and shotguns for my wife and myself, plus Dillon reloading equipment and associated supplies, jumping into another category mandated some thought and advice.

 

No point in buying a rifle that I couldn't get supplies or ammo for.

 

So why ask a stupid question, embarrasing myself, and wasting the time of some folks on the SASS Wire?

 

Some things I did figure out, like why .357 mag and .38 special can be fired from the same revolver and rifle. Like .45 lc and .45 schofield from the same revolver. And 44 mag and 44 special, etc.

 

Then I noted a gunsmith that developed a mod for the 1873 rifle that would allow a .45 ACP round to be fired from a rifle chambered for .45 lc. And the mod developed that would allow the Cowboy 45 Special to be fired from the 1873 rifle.

 

Then I saw Taylor Had a Spencer chambered in .45lc.

 

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/cartridge-rifles/1865-spencer-accessories/1865-spencer-carbine-45-lc-20-blue-barrel-with-case-hardened-frame-walnut-stock-swivels-rear-only-twist-grooves-1x20-6-model-166.html

 

So I thought there might be a "NO,.....BUT" type of answer where a creative Cowboy had a way to do it, albeit in less than optimal (poor for long distance, but kinka OK at shorter ranges), which would allow one to shoot a cool rifle with stuff he already had. Like maybe a sleeve that the .45lc cartidge could slide into and be loaded into the rifle. Kicks and giggles with .45lc rounds (I understand a full load, or +P .45lc is a heavy load), and serious stuff with 45-70 rounds.

 

Anyway, that's why I asked the stupid question.

 

B Slim

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Anyway, that's why I asked the stupid question.

Slim, Welcome to CAS! I offer an apology to your post. If there had been some detail in what you initially posted, the responses, including mine would have been entirely different. Because you DID do homework and you were really wondering if there was an insert on the market for the 45-70 chamber shooting a different bullet? The answer is yes but not a Colt and Lee Shaver makes full barrel inserts for the 22LR in a 45-70 and other rifle calibers.... http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=160544&MANF=1016

 

One of the top NRA BPCR shooter is Brian Chilson. This is his 2nd year as Overall Match Champion at the Raton, NM BPCR match. He has a Lee Shaver in his 45-70 and practices shooting silhouette chickens at 200 meters. Brian told me during the off season he shoots 10 to 12,000 rounds of 22's in his 45-70.

 

So an option is - buy a 45-70 single shot rifle and the 22LR insert. Next step is set aside some of the children's inheritance and when 45 brass is available again - buy 100 cases, the dies, if not a caster, bullets and a set of globe front and vernier sights. Then in the meantime, enjoy shooting the 45-70 with accuracy out to 200yds (not legal though for SASS side matches with a 22LR though).

 

An alternative to the Sharps is a Stevens 44 1/2 from CPA Rifles ... http://www.singleshotrifles.com/

Nice part about the Stevens is barrels with different calibers screw onto one action. I have a couple of Sharps, 45-70 & 45-90 but I really enjoy my Stevens with... 32-40, 38-72, 40-65 and 45-70 barrels. Allows one to shoot any of the match disciplines, from 100yds out to 1000yd target or gong. Your not far from Shippensburg, McDonalds or even Ridgeway that conducts all the various match types except Schuetzen matches

 

Look around on the Internet for a used CPA Stevens, much cheaper, and then get a barrel caliber(s) of your choice like the 38-55 in addition to 45-70. Be fore warned though - the kid's inheritance being retired will be in jeopardy. I know this for a fact - it is addictive buying different single shot rifles!

 

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Slim, I forgot about this ... you want to shoot 45 Colt bullets is a 45-70 rifle. right?

Buy some 454 diameter Colt bullets and paper patch them up to 0.001 over the land diameter of the 45-70 rifle. But you will still have to put the 45 Colt PP bullets in a 45-70 case in order for the round to chamber

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It is neither safe nor accurate to shoot .45 Colt in a .45-70 chamber-that being said-I have seen it done and in the event of a disaster and a situation where you only have the .45-70 rifle and the .45 Colt ammo it can be made to function as a single shot and that is the only time I would consider trying it. It is a desperation move only to be used when all other options fail.

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It is neither safe nor accurate to shoot .45 Colt in a .45-70 chamber-that being said-I have seen it done and in the event of a disaster and a situation where you only have the .45-70 rifle and the .45 Colt ammo it can be made to function as a single shot and that is the only time I would consider trying it. It is a desperation move only to be used when all other options fail.

Yup, I'm guessing if them indians got you surounded and the only thing you have left is 45 LC ammo and a 45-70 rifle, you aint gonna worry so much about leading up the barrel!

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