Pedersoli Bullet Sizes

[WaddWatsonEllis]

HI,

I had been given the Pedersoli bullet size that I need as .520 ...the barrel reads R013047
Pedersoli . Italy CAL .45/70
Made in Italy  CAT .3514

Is .520 right?

I was 'given' some .514 diameter bullets ... would they squib/roll over in flight/or?

Thanks for your knowledge and conjecture!

TTFN,

[Fingers McGee]

45/70 cartridges generally use a .458 bullet.  Leastwise, my Armi Sport Sharps, H&R Officers model Springfield, and 1884 Springfield carbine do.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Wadd

I took chamber casts of my Navy Arms (Pedersoli) rolling block and my Armi Sports Sharps.  Both had .458 grove  diameters.  Pedersoli is reputed to have very good quality control.  I would really be surprised it your rifle is anything other than .458.  Conventional wisdom is .001 - .002 over grove size for cast bullets and grove diameter for jacketed.

I would try .459 flat based bullet first and softer vs harder cast.

Are you planning on shooting BP or Smokeless or Both?

[Otter]

WWE - .520 bullets would require some bodacious hammering to load in 45-70 cases, let alone get into chamber. Whoever gave you that size was (hopefully) just funnin with ya. Could they have been meaning 520 gr rather than diameter?

.458 or .459 diameter would be good starter choices and in the range of 500 to 535 grains for weight (depending upon bullet shape and final alloy).

Let us here know what the decision is . . .

[bear tooth billy]

I agree with everyone here, a .459'' size, 520-540 grain bullet should do you just fine


                                                   BTB

[cpt dan blodgett]

If the bullets you were given were actually .514 and are soft cast you can use one to slug your bore.  You do have a dial caliper as I recall

[rifle]

I imagine there's a terminology problem here. I thunk the original poster is asking about bullet weight and not diameter.

That being said I'd advise to go with a lighter bullet at first so as to get used to the rifle before using the 520gr. bullet fer long range.

It depends on what the owner of the rifle is going to shoot with the rifle. Long range targets or hunt with the gun or use blackpowder or smokeless powder.

If new then I'd break it in with some copper jacketed bullets fer awhile using smokeless powder.Smokeless powder so the black powder fouling won't be a hinderance while breaking in then barrel.

[Ranch 13]

HI,

I had been given the Pedersoli bullet size that I need as .520 ...the barrel reads R013047
Pedersoli . Italy CAL .45/70
Made in Italy  CAT .3514

Is .520 right?

I was 'given' some .514 diameter bullets ... would they squib/roll over in flight/or?

Thanks for your knowledge and conjecture!

TTFN,

Someone got crossed up someplace , the bullets you have at .514 are a bit over size even for 50 caliber cartridges, but would still work. But they won't work in a 45-70, even with the generous chambers that Pedersoli sometimes provides.. Most Pedersoli shooters will recommend a .460 diameter bullet.
Several years ago Dick Trenk and Pedersoli came up with a good long range bullet design for the Pedersoli chambers,  you may want to do some searching and find one of those moulds or a mould maker that has the drawings for the bullet.

[R.T. Rangebum]

I have a Pedersoli Rolling Block and called and spoke with Paul Jones (Paul has been makeing custom bullet molds for more years than I have been alive) Paul recommended to me his .459 Creedmore mold that throws a 540 grain bullet. He said it's perfect for the pedersoli rifles. I have done well with that bullet at several BPCR matches. And a side note....Pedersoli barrels need no break-in. Sounds strange but....it's true.

Rangebum

[Ranch 13]

Paul Jones has retired from the mould building business.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

HI,

Kay it has bee swagged and it comes put to .450 and .458 in the 'lands. I am told that I will need a .459 bullet ...

Is there anyone making a .45-70 cartridge with a .459 bullet commercially?

[PJ Hardtack]

A better question might be - Is there anyone NOT making a 45-70 loading using .459 bullets?

The answer will vary depending upon whether it's for an original Trapdoor (.460) or a current repro of any type using .459.

[cpt dan blodgett]

I suspect you could roll your own fairly inexpensively.  A set of dies and a lee hand press should work just fine .  Just be sure you get an expanding die to bell the case mouth a bit for seating cast bullets.  Many 45 70 die sets include the expanding die.  If not lyman M dies*expanding) are available  If you plan on shooting black powder lots of folks don't even neck size their cases and use little or no crimp.  You can get a Lee decapping pin for little or nothing and just use a mallet  and a shell holder to deprime.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Ca;t Dan.

Reasons to buy reloaded brass:


I volunteer at Loaves and Fishes three days a week ...

I volunteer twice a week at the local archives doing woodwork

On weekends I volunteer as a reenactor and docent ...

I HAVEN'T THE TIME TO LEARN RELOADING!!!

Back to my question of whether anyone  loaded commercially .45-70 with a .459 bullet?

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I'm Sorry,

I Didn't mean to be cantankerous in my last post ...

I just don't have the time unless I cut some of my other activities ...

Did I Mention that I am a deacon and should be pouring wine for communion as we speak?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

(I just lost a reply - so here we go, again.)

For years your friends have been nagging you to get reloading! No more excuses. think of all the time you have spent organizing suitable custom loads for your pistols & rifles. Its not that hard to learn with all the advice available on cascity.

At least get a LEE Hand Press set-up with a couple sets of dies for your most active pieces.

NO SMILIES ATTACHED!! Your Pards are thinking about your welfare.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Buffalo Arms sells commercially loaded cast bullet 45/70 BP loads that look to range from carbine type loads to the full house infantry round.  They do not specify bullet diameter, so I have requested that info, will post when I get it.  By the way the stuff is  $35 for 20 rounds.  Price drops a little for larger quantities but the $ 1.75 per shot starting price is a little scary.

I am not offended, you may even be able to find some one in your area to load for you and actually apprentice you.  I certainly would teach anyone that asked and let them use my equipment long enough for them to get tired of coming over and getting their own.  Sadly I live in Phoenix area vs Bay area of California so I am of no help.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Buffalo Arms responded.  .458 while not the 'School Solution' diameter, it will only cost $35 plus shipping and a little range time to see if your rifle likes them.

[Trailrider]

You might want to experiment with the commercial .458" bullets. You might be surprised! This .001" over groove "rule" is a good one...generally.  But I've seen rifles that shot just fine with bullets that were right at groove diameter. Sometimes bullets that are seveal thousands undersized can work if they are cast of soft alloy, and even better with black powder.

[Grogan]

On the .458-.459" bullet issue, I'd just go with .459" and not worry about it.

Having them "slightly" larger in soft alloy isn't going to hurt (or really affect) anything.

Better slightly larger than smaller. 

When you think about it there such a small difference in these two dimensions.

Realize that we're talking DIAMETER here, which means 1/2 of that dimension on each side of the radius.

Which will be .0005" (which reads 5 Ten Thousandths)

Now consider a typical human hair's diameter is .003" (3 Thousandths).

Any questions?