1873 Buffalo Classic 45-70

[SkyKid]

Hey y'all
My buff classic has a throat of .456 or so
But after that my boolit just goes thru the rest of the barrel with an easy push
Should I patch to .456 and see what happens for accuracy
Brandy new at this thanks for any and all advice
even if y'all burn me

[Nobade]

If using smokeless, size bullets to .001" over bore diameter and patch to just over groove diameter. If using black powder, patch to bore diameter. Since you're on the smokeless room I assume that's what you have planned?

[Gtek]

To really know what you have one must take several measurements to reach a good conclusion. Slug the front with about two or so to a depth of an inch or two in and then back out, same with chamber end. Cerrosafe throat (correct measurement timing) or a pound slug done, with all these then one really knows. A throating reamer or a judicious fire lapping are options. I have two, one NIB and the other a couple hundred but only fired jacketed. I tried a few in the mid-Marlin range two decades ago laid over bench, with that steel buttplate and a good memory I am pretty/real sure being a little older and wiser we will not revisit that one!!!!

[SkyKid]

Thanks Guys
Nobade I will be using smokeless for now
Gtek When I first got this rifle around 2008 I did the same
Got the part number from Nicholst55 for the shotgun stock made a big difference

[Nobade]

Using smokeless, a good way to get started patching for 45-70 is to use some 300 grain bullets made for the 45 colt. They're the right size already to patch and you don't need a custom mold right away.

[SkyKid]

I have 2 molds that I bought back in 2008
A lyman 500 grain round nose and a Lee 457-500 3R
I'll check and see if I have a mold for 45 colt
Thanks again

[Nobade]

The 45 caliber rifle molds are too big. You need something that is just over bore diameter so you can patch it to groove diameter. .452" bullets that end up around .460" after patching.

[SkyKid]

I have a .452 Lee push thru sizer
Will that work
I also have some 10 pound onionskin paper
Thanks for helping me get started

[Nobade]

That will work. Cast them as soft as you can for best effect. Enjoy the new adventure! There's a learning curve there but once you get it things work great and the 45-70 is the best place to start the journey as it is very forgiving.

[SkyKid]

Awesome
I have 26 pounds of lead and about 300 pounds of coww to use
I cast some of the lyman with the pure lead last night
They came out weighing 520 grains
I have some bar solder can I add some to the lead

[SkyKid]

So I have shot around 10 rounds thru my rifle
I'm using 13 grains of unique
Tonight I dry patched 2 boolits
Seems better than wet patching
This is a lot of fun and I'm not busting my shoulder up
Next I will loads around 10 rounds and shoot them off a rest at 50 yards so I can adjust my sights
Thanks Nobade for helping me get started