Now, I done it.

[Noz]

I sold the Remingtons and went into the toy store. They had a Pedersoli Sharps, I think the Business Man's.  I told the owner that I had cash in my pocket so think about the bottom line. He came down $200 from what I thought was a fair price to start with.
Now I need help.
45/70 1 in 18.
Need bullet recommendation and source. I'm assuming .458s
I have Starline on the way. I have Goex FFFg, Schutzen FFFg, APP FFFg and Pyrodex RS and P. I don't load any smokeless anymore.
My plan is mild compression of probably the Schutzen.

Comments and guidance requested and desired.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Sounds like you are on the right track.  I assume you have read the "authorities" and know the procedures.

[Silver Creek Slim]

What yardage will you be shooting?

Slim

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

I have a Pedersoli RB in 45-70 1 in 18 twist.
I shoot a Paul Jones 540 grn bullet 30:1 mix, over a .060 vegatable wad over 70 grns FFG or FFFG Goex compressed just enough so the bullet seat just touches the wad, in R-P brass.(I also use some PMC brass that I use too). No crimp to align the bullet in the bore.
I buy them lubed and sized. This load is good to 1000 yds, but I have it sighted in to 500 yds right now.

I buy the bullets from Sagebrush Supply in NE. www.sagebrushproducts.com

Their catalog number is Paul Jones 45001 and it is .459 sized or not, so the bullet must drop from the mould at .459.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

I won't comment on loads or powder since I'm still 'spermentin' myself.    However, I will say that if you plan on shootinng only to 400 yds. (or perhaps a bit less) my limited experience says you can shoot the 400 (+/- weight - 390, 405, etc.) bullets, but for 300 yds. (or 400) and out, go with the heavier bullets of at least 500 grs.  I noticed on the Sagebrush site that 1/2 Creek Chas. linked to the bullet identical to mine is shown right above the one Charlie recommends - the 535 Postell, except mine is the original Lyman version of the same Paul Jones mould they use.  I've heard NO bad reports mentioned about the 535 (like mine) or the larger ones available.  That 1-18 twist seems to do quite well with the heavier bullets.

Enjoy!

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

I shot several 535 Postell's the day I sighted in and there was very little difference in the Postell(Lyman Mould) and the Paul Jones, except the Paul Jones' seemed to be slicker looking and virtually no mould marks. Postell's had mould marks. Both shot well.

[Noz]

A friend offered some 405s as starters.
Any quarrel with the Schuetzen?
In this application better or worse than GOEX?

Looking forward for the next Rangers Shoot. We have a Plainsman category.
Can't do worse than I do in Frontiersman.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I was using Goex FFg in my Pedersoli 45-70 Sharps for a couple of years. I just loaded up a batch of ammo with Shuetzen FFg. Everything I have read says that Shuetzen is a superior powder to Goex and burns cleaner. I was hoping to get out to the range and find out on Sunday, but it rained all day. I'm hoping that what I have read is true, and that the Shuetzen will burn cleaner and cut down on the need for the blow tube somewhat. I have been shooting Shuetzen in my 44-40 rifles and 45 Colt revolvers this year. It does appear to leave a bit less crud in the barrels, and be a bit quicker to clean, but I don't have any real numbers for evidence.

[Noz]

Driftwood, I made an experiment on the 1860s with Schuetzen. It shot fine with no more or less fouling than GOEX. It seemed to be hotter than the GOEX.  The same volume of Schuetzen was blowing caps off that the GOEX would not. I have the 60s and the powder flask regulated pretty well so I didn't want to mess with the loads. I went back to the GOEX.
Since I'll be loading 45/70 for the first time I figured I'd start with the hotter (apparently) powder.
Also do the 45/70 cases take rifle or pistol primers? Shouldn't make a difference with Black?

[Pitspitr]

I use the Lyman 535 Lyman in my Pedersoli Sharps. It shoots better than I can.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

I use the rifle primers in my 45-70 . Right now all I have is Winchester and they work fine.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

45-70 takes Large Rifle Primers. Large Rifle Primers can run a few thousandths longer than Large Pistol primers and primer pockets in rifle rounds are cut to the right depth for the Large Rifle Primers. I've been using standard Winchester Large Rifle primers for 45-70.

If you want to read a book that has a huge amount of information about Buffalo Rifles in general, and lots of good specific information about loading 45-70 as well as other cartridges with Black Powder buy Mike Venturino's Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West. He has two chapters about loading Buffalo Rifle cartridges, one a general chapter about loading BP in the big cartridges, and a second chapter full of tips from some of the guys who win the big matches.

[Noz]

Thanks, Driftwood.
I always appreciate your input.

[Noz]

Bought the book, spent the night on a "cover to cover" read.
Question. Is the only purpose of the wad to protect the base of the bullet?
In the book Mike uses wads for essentially every load he mentions then has a statement that when firing without wads the accuracy seems to be unchanged.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

I think the wads do a couple things.  They form a good base and a bit of extra compression as well as keeping the lube separated from the powder.  Wads CAN stick (with enough extra lube) to the base of the bullet and I'd think that long range accuracy will be affected. effected. whatever. 

[Noz]

Took the Sharps to the range last night.
Load was: 60 grs GOEX FFg under a wool felt wad (soaked with my homemade lube, applied hot allowed to cool) under a 340gr 459 bullet from which I had melted the crayon lube and finger applied my own. Primed with CCI Large Pistol Magnum. Crimped with Lee collet crimp.
Sights: Factory front, Taylor tang.
Shooting at 100yds(+ or -5)
Best group 3 rounds: 1 1/4" outside, or .79" by standard scoring techniques.

Most surprising was a wool mop soaked in Windex run down the barrel came out CLEAN. No appreciable fouling in bore or chamber.

Well pleased

[Steel Horse Bailey]

As you should be!