45 70 325 ftx

[Edawg]

I'm reloading 45/70 325 grain ftx using a standard federal case untrimmed
my oal is 2.60 when it calls for 2.55.
I'm shooting a tc prohunter single shot and to reloading I have a lee classic loader. Should I be safe with my .05 longer length.

 

[SSL]

Hornady (10th Edition) specifies a maximum case length of 2.040" for use with this bullet. COL is specified as 2.590". The trim length is shorter than standard due to the design of the bullet's ogive that could result in jamming the bullet into the lands and increasing pressure if used with normal length (2.095") brass. It is listed this way for Trapdoor loads as well, so it evidently isn't just a matter of feeding in lever guns.

 

[mgunderson]

I would recommend that you know the coal that jams that bullet into the chamber.

 

[rockrat]

What he said!! That way you will know the max. length your gun will take

 

[EOD Rob]

Ya, not a good op bro. That is a lot of powder sitting right next to your face! I would definitely see how close you are to jam before moving forward. If not, it could be an expensive and dangerous test fire!

 

[Charlie-NY]

I'm reloading 45/70 325 grain ftx using a standard federal case untrimmed
my oal is 2.60 when it calls for 2.55.
I'm shooting a tc prohunter single shot and to reloading I have a lee classic loader. Should I be safe with my .05 longer length.

I had a T/C Encore with a 20" Katahdin bbl in 45-70. I used full length brass and the 325 gummy tips with full power loads. I was regularly knocking over 3-4 bowling pins out of the 5 set up at 300yds. I never had any problems. I'd suggest that you just move forward carefully.

FWIW - I sold the 45-70 Katahdin bbl and bought a 500 S&W Katahdin bbl. The 500 is an interesting powerhouse but it is as inaccurate as all get out. 5 different bullets and 4 different powders yielded a single load that produced acceptable accuracy. I think the platform is just not robust enough for the 500 S&W.

 

[OmegaRed]

As mentioned, the FTX bullets require brass to be trimmed short. We've moved away from that bullet for this reason.

They do shoot well and kill well if you are going to set them aside only for reloading that bullet.

 

[Edawg]

I had a T/C Encore with a 20" Katahdin bbl in 45-70. I used full length brass and the 325 gummy tips with full power loads. I was regularly knocking over 3-4 bowling pins out of the 5 set up at 300yds. I never had any problems. I'd suggest that you just move forward carefully.

FWIW - I sold the 45-70 Katahdin bbl and bought a 500 S&W Katahdin bbl. The 500 is an interesting powerhouse but it is as inaccurate as all get out. 5 different bullets and 4 different powders yielded a single load that produced acceptable accuracy. I think the platform is just not robust enough for the 500 S&W.

Can I ask when you reloaded the ftx325 grain bullets infill length brass what was your coal.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Can I ask when you reloaded the ftx325 grain bullets infill length brass what was your coal.

Unfortunately, I did not record that measurement and it was some time ago. I shoot a Marlin in 45-70 ever since I sold the Encore bbl. Lately, I've been shooting the 250gr Monoflex just for fun but they won't feed in the Marlin with FL brass. I cut down 25 pieces of brass to test with. They feed fine and the velocities were surprisingly unchanged. They shot slightly smaller groups then the same load in FL brass.

The 250 monos are interesting because you can get them moving at 2,300 ft/sec in an 18.5" bbl. You will see significantly less drop at the 200yd line.