Buckshot Bear Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 A mate of mine was shooting reloads out of his Ruger .45-70 and the pills were going sideways through the paper target at 50 yds, anyone have any idea what would cause them to tumble like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itchy Trigger Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 The only time I have seen that there was a very minor imperfection on the inside end of the barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bull Skinner Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Assuming a good bullet , more than likely it’s too light a load to stabilize the bullet. Up the charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 2 minutes ago, Bull Skinner said: Assuming a good bullet , more than likely it’s too light a load to stabilize the bullet. Up the charge. THIS ^^^^ I had the exact same experience when I first starting out loading for my 74 Sharps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 19 minutes ago, Bull Skinner said: Assuming a good bullet , more than likely it’s too light a load to stabilize the bullet. Up the charge. ↑↑↑ This ↑↑↑ And/or... the bullet doesn't fit the rifling and cannot be stabilized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cholla Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 54 minutes ago, Griff said: ↑↑↑ This ↑↑↑ And/or... the bullet doesn't fit the rifling and cannot be stabilized. Did you slug the barrel to make sure the bullet is the correct size? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 14 minutes ago, Cholla said: Did you slug the barrel to make sure the bullet is the correct size? Not mine gun it's a mates, but I'm sure he hasn't slugged the barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uriah, SASS # 53822 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Black powder? Lead bullets? Black powder, low humidity, no blow tube: I had the same experience with a Trapdoor rifle. Uriah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 6 minutes ago, Uriah, SASS # 53822 said: Black powder? Lead bullets? Black powder, low humidity, no blow tube: I had the same experience with a Trapdoor rifle. Uriah Smokeless, lead Hitek coated 405gr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Shapiro Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Slug the bore. What's the twist rate on the barrel? Likely the wrong bullet weight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 So, what's the load? Has he shot BP through this gun and not cleaned all the fouling out, really cleaned it, when switching over to smokeless? Tried a conventional lubed 405 slug? Almost all the 405 grain slugs shoot well from almost all .45-70. That's the standard bullet weight for last 150 years.... Slug sized to what diameter? 0.458" or bigger? good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Devil Dale Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Tell your friend it's a mismanufactured gun and he needs to get rid of it. I will give him an address to send it to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Try different brand of ammo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison Bud Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I think they have pretty much covered it above as it's either too light a load, too heavy a bullet, an incorrect fit bullet to bore, or some sort of problem with the barrel (fouling or possibly a manufacturing defect) or possibly damage to the crown causing issues. Chance are good that it's probably either the load or the bullet and I'd start by checking the loading against published data and then check the bullet sizing verses slugging the barrel if possible. Good luck and good shooting to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailboss (Santa) Dave Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 If he is shooting cast bullets, it could be an imperfection in the bullet. And using an M die to expand the case neck may help this problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Someone who used to shoot SASS. He was having problems with his Marlin 44 Mag. It was all over the target, also key holling. I tried some of my loads. Same results. Finally looked down the barrel. Barrel only had rifling about 6 inches down the barrel. This was a pre Remington, sent it back Marlin replaced the barrel. Fixed the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ya Big Tree Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 My experience has been a little different than listed above in my Winchester 30/30. A 130 Gr. bullet was to light and a 170 Gr. bullet and a lower velocity was the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 You dudes are all WRONG! Check out his address. His bullets are upside down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 On my Sharps I was key holing the bullets at any yardage. I was shooting a .458. I went to a .459 bullet and got rid of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tequila Shooter Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 @Buckshot Bear the golden rule for long distance shooting is only change one thing at a time. As you said the bullet is tumbling. Is the ammo factory or reloads? If it’s factory try another brand, if they are reloads you have to know the bore size, .001 can make a big difference. Once the bore is known and the correct bullet is used then I’d work on the powder. If your friend has a chronograph use it and see what the speed is compared to published loads, he may have to change the powder to get the FPS that the gun likes. It’s a process finding what works for the gun and the shooter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Had the same problem with some Marlin lever guns in 45-70 back in late 90's. They worked better with unsized bullets at .460 diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Bore diameter and bullet size is where he needs to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I'm hoping that all you that're sayin' "bore diameter" really mean GROOVE diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Did Marlin make any 45-70 with Microgroove barrels? They don’t always handle cast bullets well. Also check barrel for leading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rough 'N Ready Rob Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 I would call Ruger ask what diameter bullet they recommend. Had a problem with Marlin 38-55, called Marlin back in the day, they said to use 380 dim. lead bullet, problem fixed. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal TKD, Sass # 36984L Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Twist on (most) Ruger #1 & #3 45-70’s is 1-20. It should shoot a good 405 grain bullet with no problems. Then brings you back to what others have stated. Bullet Speed Barrel imperfection Crown damaged Bad bullets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted March 23, 2023 Author Share Posted March 23, 2023 Thanks all, I've past this info on to my mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
"Big Boston" Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Clean bore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 On 3/21/2023 at 11:07 AM, Assassin said: Had the same problem with some Marlin lever guns in 45-70 back in late 90's. They worked better with unsized bullets at .460 diameter. Biggest problem with Marlins and cast bullets is the Micro groove rifling. They were designed to shoot jacketed. Having said that it is possible to get them to do a decent job with cast but... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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