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45-70 loads for TC Contender
shooter45
Member Posts: 17 ✭✭
Just purchased a new barrel for my TC Contender in 45-70 cal. Anyone have experiance in shooting this big load in the Contender?
I also would like information on some soft loading data for this caliber. I have to be truthful, I am a little hesitant on pulling the trigger!
Thanks in advance.
I also would like information on some soft loading data for this caliber. I have to be truthful, I am a little hesitant on pulling the trigger!
Thanks in advance.
Comments
I'm not a small guy, and I'm not new to firearms (was in the military at the time and at the range every week) but that thing is a hand howitzer.
Years ago at a range I saw a guy trying to shoot a TC in 45-70. It was a hoot, he had a heavy Bronze weight clamped to the bottom underside of the barrel. Recoil was so bad it still all most came out of his hands. From my perspective it didn't look like it was any fun to shoot. YMMV.
Use trapdoor loads and it's a hoot to shoot.Especially at steel !! CLANG !!!!!!!!!!!!
Every one that we let shoot it diidn't want to give it back,it's that much fun !
I used Varget because it metered well in my dillon,but there are lots of good powders and loads for that caliber,,including black powder of course.
The weight of that big barrel hanging out there is gonna dampen recoil quite nicely.
ENJOY
I would not want to run the #3 loads through either the Thompson or the trapdoor by accident so I use jacketed bullets for the #3 and
405 gr lead for the other two.
I have shot factory loads in the Thompson & they are NO problem. The recoil is not at all bad.
Best
There are three basic levels of 45/70 loads - Trapdoor, Marlin 1895 and Ruger No1/Siamese Mauser. T/C advises keeping loads at Trapdoor level. I have used Marlin 1895 level for years and the only bad thing that's happened is the recoil has made my right arm 4" longer than my left. [;)]
Just kidding, but I think in general if you send 300 grain bullets downrange about 1,800 fps and 405s about 1,500 then you're in the strong recoil arena, but not hurtful. Hodgden lists (in their load magazine) loads specifically for the 14" Contender in 45/70. The high end, using H4198 and H322 I believe, show a 300 grain JHP @ 2,100 fps. I've used it and it beats the heck out of you. I have 405s and 375s, some pretty hot stuff, but this one is a bear. And I use the T/C walnut grip with the rubber backing, but still it's something else to shoot.
So the recoil on the T/C in 45/70 is pretty strong, and it can be tough with heavy reloads, but on average it's not a killer.