45-70 Gov hand load max pressure

I've been considering hand loading some 45-70 ammo but I don't know what the max pressure tolerance is for my rifle. Lyman load data indicates minimal loads for the old trap-door Springfields. Loads are a little hotter for Marlin and Winchester lever guns. Loads are hottest for the Ruger No.1 but Layman explicitly says not to use those loads in any rifle other than Ruger No.1 and No.3

I shoot the NEF / H&R 45-70 Buffalo Classic and I can't seem to find any information on what kind of pressure this rifle can take. Any suggestion?

I have a Hornady manual that has several 45-70 loads.. ill look tonight and see what it says.

Heres some information on it.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/45-70Govt.htm

I shoot the leverevolutions in my handi. I havent ran any across the chrony but I think they run about 1800 fps. I had the same problem as you I couldnt find anything about how much these guns can take. I am planning to reload some of the flextip bullets to about 1800 fps because I know my gun will handle this. The load data for the flex tip bullets has loads up to 2100 fps I think. I dont think I will go over 1800 unless I find out it is safe.

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll probably contact NEF / H&R for some specific data. I'll post when I have some "manufacturer approved" recommendations.

I'd love to have some hard-hitting 500gr ammo but I don't want to lose my face and/or fingers in pursuit of my goal.

Caleb C wrote:Thanks for the info, guys. I'll probably contact NEF / H&R for some specific data. I'll post when I have some "manufacturer approved" recommendations.

I'd love to have some hard-hitting 500gr ammo but I don't want to lose my face and/or fingers in pursuit of my goal.

If you'll look at the Buffalo Bore ammo chart in a Cabela's catalog you'll see those rifles mentioned for their 45-70 magnum loads. Oughta tell you how tough they are.
Myself...I've shot a few thousand of those big 535 gr. bullets out of my Sharps with IMR 3031 powder. My load chronies at 1600 fps. with the 535 gr. Postell cast bullet and 1550 fps. with the 500 gr. Barnes Triple Shock bullet. Recoil isn't too awful bad cause of the weight of the rifle which is 13 pounds. The steel buttplate will get you more than anything. Anyway...a buddy of mine has the same two rifles you mentioned and wanted the same bullets I shoot out of mine. Course I dropped the powder charge by 6 grs. for those little light rifles. Shoots well out of the Buffalo Classic and the recoil is tolerable...but...those big bullets aren't nice at all out of that little light handi-rifle.
So...when you find out for yourself how tough those rifles are and if you're interested send me a pm and I'll give you a load for them.

OK. Well, H&R customer support sure wasn't much help. The referred me to the SAAMI website which still didn't give me any manufacturer/model specific information. On the plus side, Buffalo Bore does seem to have a very high opinion of the H&R rifle's strength. That alone confirms that these rifles can take a beating. Thanks for helping out fellas.

Caleb C wrote:I've been considering hand loading some 45-70 ammo but I don't know what the max pressure tolerance is for my rifle. Lyman load data indicates minimal loads for the old trap-door Springfields. Loads are a little hotter for Marlin and Winchester lever guns. Loads are hottest for the Ruger No.1 but Layman explicitly says not to use those loads in any rifle other than Ruger No.1 and No.3

I shoot the NEF / H&R 45-70 Buffalo Classic and I can't seem to find any information on what kind of pressure this rifle can take. Any suggestion?

The 45-70 BC, is built on the SB2 frame, same as the H-R 500; most trapdoor loads are listed as 28,000 cup. The 500 is built to withstand 50,000 cup. I mostly use the marlin loadings in my 45-70.

Go over to graybeards web site, those guys live and breathe handi rifles. Check out the FAQ links, got alot of useful info.

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=n9a5clpqeh1eur0tolifbl8537&board=126.0