Thread: Saving for next firearm - something a bit different

Hi all,

Generally I save my ducats for one larger annual purchase to feed my hunting and shooting hobby. Recently it has taken the form of range finding binoculars and other such non-firearms related items due to the registry.

However, I feel the itch to start saving for another firearm. I am thinking something a bit novel that I can reload for and use for close cover hunting. The options I have been toying with:

- Lever action or single shot in .454 Casull (I don't own a lever gun or anything that uses a straight wall case. I am left handed so the top eject has an appeal. I also like the idea of a less common cartridge with a big bang to experiment with at the reloading bench)
- Bergara BA13 in 45-70 (Straight wall and a bit rude, a bit of a classic that still performs with modern bullets. I could see myself using such a firearm when stalking in the lower North Island)

Would be keen on hearing peoples thoughts on those options, or any other ideas you may suggest. Again keen to try something a bit different, already have a few good bolt actions.

45 70 with 500gr subs is good fun and cheap

@matto1234, any particular rifle you have enjoyed using it in?

Ive got a single shot bergara but they dont make the 45 in stainless and the blued one i have i got ceracoted which was a failure and now it is a rust heap. Still lots of fun though. If they made one in stainless they would be ideal

If you're wanting to reload your ammo maybe straight walled cases are potentially trickier than bottleneck cases ....?? But, I'm not an expert as I only load bottleneck cartridges. Hopefully somebody experienced can comment .....

Henry make a single break open .45/70. They really appeal to me as look very much like the single barrel Winchester shotguns I used learning to shoot. .45/70 is a LOT of fun and dead easy to reload for...the bottom tier trapdoor loads are pleasant to shoot. Hotter loads,not so much.

If you want something really special do a search on the posts of the rifles @akaroa1 is running these days . . .

I'd rather a 30-30 or 44mag in a lever. The fun wears off quick firing a 45-70.
Just my 2c

Originally Posted by Tentman

If you want something really special do a search on the posts of the rifles @akaroa1 is running these days . . .

Have been following avidly. Cool to see some of those old firearms still proving effective. A good challenge.

Originally Posted by Longrun

I'd rather a 30-30 or 44mag in a lever. The fun wears off quick firing a 45-70.
Just my 2c

That's why I've stopped running full noise loads for playing around...but yeah a mouse fart load in 44 magnum is fun...must try the really light charge in .45/70 sometime too.

Nothing to see here
Don't know what you are talking about

I have a friend wanting to sell a Marlin 1895 45-70
Nice condition 22" barrel from memory

A 454 Casul is a bit hard to get cases and dies for
Better with a 45-70 lever ( if you must have follow up shots) or single shot is always a good idea
Brass, dies and bullets are readily available

There's a good reason it's still popular 150 years after it was brought out

Originally Posted by akaroa1

I have a friend wanting to sell a Marlin 1895 45-70
Nice condition 22" barrel from memory

A 454 Casul is a bit hard to get cases and dies for
Better with a 45-70 lever ( if you must have follow up shots) or single shot is always a good idea
Brass, dies and bullets are readily available

There's a good reason it's still popular 150 years after it was brought out

Amazing how modern projectile offerings and stronger actions can make old cartridges a serious contender again.

Originally Posted by Floundering Around

Amazing how modern projectile offerings and stronger actions can make old cartridges a serious contender again.

You don't want any more pressure than the 45-70 was designed for
Go full nitro and it cab be quite a handful

Modern actions aren't really any stronger than the better of the old ones
The original 1885 action was chambered for the 30-06 and can be run at 60k psi

1885s were used to develop modern cartridges like the 308 in Winchesters testing facilities
They were also destruction tested to well over 100k psi and the actions stayed together.

But the objective of buying something different shouldn't be to take an old cartridge in an old style rifle and apply modern bullets and powders.

If you are going nostalgic go all out.
Old rifle, old cartridge, old sights, old bullet styles and black powder.
Use your modern binos and thermal to find your game but experience the thrill of stalking into closer range and taking a good shot

My 2c worth of facts to factor in;

Straight wall cases can be reloaded with carbide dies. You don’t need to use case lube with these dies.

Straight wall cases need to be flared before the projectile is seated, it is easy, just a separate die with an oversized expander, ideally done before powder.

You can fire 45LC in a 454 Casul, same as you can fire 44 Special in a 44 Mag.

I read somewhere that ‘every shooter must own at least one lever action, that is the law’