the 45-60 and 45-75 '76 Win.

[Marshal Deadwood]

What bullet weight is best for a 45-60 vrs 45-75,,,and what is the comparison in velocities of a good hunting load between the two ? It 'seems' most are going with the 45-60 .... what is the deciding edge for going with the 45-60 ?

And,,,what about 'smokeless' loads for each ? Is there a good one that duplicates the velocities of bp for the 45-60 ? the 45-75 ? I would think one would not want to exceed the bp velocities with smokeless ?

I'm really interested in a '76,,big time...had one on order, and opted to pass in favor of another firearm,,but I find I've still got the hots for one. Fine looking rifles they are. But, I need the best choice for hunting. Not so much any competition,,but mainly considering choices with whitetail hunting in mind.

Also, If I may ask more...the Uberti vrs the Chaparral,,,,what are some considerations here ?

Thanks gents.

MD

[Hoof Hearted]

What bullet weight is best for a 45-60 vrs 45-75,,,and what is the comparison in velocities of a good hunting load between the two ? It 'seems' most are going with the 45-60 .... what is the deciding edge for going with the 45-60 ?

At the present 45-60 brass is easier to obtain and to make by trimming 45-70. 45-75 can be formed the easiest from 50 alaskan and then from any 348 derivitive. Handloaded 45-75 with a case full of 3f Swiss.......is awesome!

And,,,what about 'smokeless' loads for each ? Is there a good one that duplicates the velocities of bp for the 45-60 ? the 45-75 ? I would think one would not want to exceed the bp velocities with smokeless ?

XMP5744

I'm really interested in a '76,,big time...had one on order, and opted to pass in favor of another firearm,,but I find I've still got the hots for one. Fine looking rifles they are. But, I need the best choice for hunting. Not so much any competition,,but mainly considering choices with whitetail hunting in mind.

Buy a 22 inch barrel you're arm will thank you after a full day of hunting.

Also, If I may ask more...the Uberti vrs the Chaparral,,,,what are some considerations here ?

Buy a UBERTI !

[Grizzly Adams]

Just to add to what Wolf Hearted has said:

The 45-60 works best with a 300grain bullet and the 45-75 with a 350 grain bullet.  Thats the way Uncle Winnie designed them, and best results will be obtained with those weights.

The factory loading for the 45-75 was about 1383fps with a ME of 1485.  The 45-60 clocked at about 1315 with an ME of 1152.  This according to Cartridges Of The World.  These were, of course, BP loadings.  The 45-75 gets the nod in terms of thump and syle points, but the 45-60 is easier to load for - at least until more folks step up to the plate with ready made, and properly sized brass.

I have used 5744 with good success, but H4198 and H4895 also show good promise in the the new replicas.

[Crotchety Old Grouch]

Marshal Deadwood,

I use 5744 for target loads and 3031 for full power hunting typ loads.

I'm just starting to put togather a 45-75 on line reloading log.  Here is a link to what I have so far.

http://cid-955924ddf322921f.spaces.live.com/

[Tommy tornado]

I would be very interested in finding some load data beside 24.0 grains of 5744.  I really like IMR 3031 powder in my trapdoor and have thought about trying a slightly reduced load from my .45-70 load of 47 grains.  Also, I wonder how Trail Boss would do?  I believe that the powder companies have a phone number or e-mail address where you can post questions about certain calibers pairred with different powders.

[Crotchety Old Grouch]

I would be very interested in finding some load data beside 24.0 grains of 5744.  I really like IMR 3031 powder in my trapdoor and have thought about trying a slightly reduced load from my .45-70 load of 47 grains.  Also, I wonder how Trail Boss would do?  I believe that the powder companies have a phone number or e-mail address where you can post questions about certain calibers pairred with different powders.

Tommy,  My best full power load so far is 44gr of IMR3031 under a 330 Gr Lyman HP.  Ave Vel is 1494 fps from my 22" SRC  barrel. 

One thing you need to consider when working up loads from 45-70 data is that the 45-75 case has LESS capacity that the average 45-70 case.

Here is the link that I posted above to my reloading log for my 45-75   

http://cid-955924ddf322921f.spaces.live.com/

[Tommy tornado]

I was actually reloading for the .45-60.  I was looking at the .45-75 but the brass was hard to find and I didn't want to have to form it.  Trimming I like better.