Thread: 45/70 Action Strengths

Hiya; a question….. there’s 3 different load parameters for 45/70 rifles . Reasonably mild load data for “ Trapdoor “ actions, pretty reasonable load data for lever actions & Grunty load data for “ Modern “ rifle actions. Now the Question; in what Category would you put a Begara single shot action into? Personally I’ve put it into the mild side of the lever action data. Curious on other opinions..

The Bergara will handle any load the brass will, it's chambered in modern high intensity cartridges. The 45-70 will produce more bolt thrust than say a 308, but other similar actions such as the TCs are chambered in these larger cartridges.

Greetings,
I think the limit will be what your shoulder can handle rather than the rifle. What you will use the rifle for may also be a consideration. If you are looking at cast lead projectiles then the loads are likely to be in the Class 1 for weaker rifles anyway. For me I would load the Bergara with milder loads but I would likely use it when wandering about where shots are not likely to be long. My Bergara single shot in .308 is taken on mid week gentlemen's hours wanders in the Kawekas (about all I can manage these days) and it has light loads.
Ken Waters did a two part pet loads series for the 45-70 back in the mid 1970's. He would have likely included the Bergara with the weaker actions or in the lighter end of the mid strength actions.
GPM.

The firearm design is the critical factor in determining the load parameters in a .45/70. For example, the old Trapdoor Springfield action (including modern made examples) is notoriously weak and must only be used with loads that equate to the original black powder service load. Rolling blocks and M1886 Winchesters are better. Modern single shots and new production Marlin lever actions are better again and are suitable for any modern factory load. In a strong front-locking bolt action then the .45/70 can be loaded to .458 Win Mag levels in modern solid head cases Such rifles are custom made. I made one many years ago for a customer based on a Winchester P14 action that was commonly loaded to .458 levels and flattened animals at 2-300 metres, but the big round nose projectiles stated to drop noticeably after that range, even after starting out at over 2500 fps.

I would put your bergera at top end of the middle bracket bottom end of top one.... and agree 100% your recoil is going to be getting up there... 45grns of 2208 behind a 405 is stout enough for this KIWI .... wouldnt want to go much hotter personally.
even loads this hot will open a shotgun action upon fireing at times..lighter charges do not.

I asked bergara for their input on this and their official stance was to keep them pretty mild. I'll see if i can find it

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....mandrel-82985/

My trapdoor I load BP only with a 500 grain projectile, being BP it pushes , sorta, but after 30 rounds, you know you’ve been pulling the trigger. I used to load with paracetamol at the beginning of the day

1800fts with a 300gn is pretty manageable if your shoulder is injury free. After about 20 shots that's starting to feel pretty ordinary if I'm being honest. Not really a plinking load

Marlins aren't what I would call a super strong action like the ruger no.1. I don't think it's smart to try for 2400fts for example with a mid weight bullet. That would be violent to shoot anyway