Long range 45-70

[Chuck Boyer]

I know this won't be long range to most of you guys, but here in MS during primitive weapon season we can shoot single shot rifles with exposed hammers and be legal to hunt deer in the special early December deer season. I have a Win 1885 that is scoped and shoots very well with just about any load that is put in it. The best long range factory load of course is the Hornady Leverevolution loads, a 325 tipped spitzer at 2050. The only factory bullets that I know of are the Barns 300 and 400SSSP bullets. My handloads will push these bullets far in excess of factory(trapdoor pressure) velocities. Has anyone had any experience with these semi-spitzer original Barns bullets? Shots over 200 yards are fairly common here. The Hornady load has no problem. I would like to extend that range another 100 yards or so without too much holdover. Will the Barns bullet expand at 300 yards? I can start the 300 well over 2400fps with a safe load and the 400 will not do quite 2200.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I know this won't be long range to most of you guys, but here in MS during primitive weapon season we can shoot single shot rifles with exposed hammers and be legal to hunt deer in the special early December deer season. I have a Win 1885 that is scoped and shoots very well with just about any load that is put in it. The best long range factory load of course is the Hornady Leverevolution loads, a 325 tipped spitzer at 2050. The only factory bullets that I know of are the Barns 300 and 400SSSP bullets. My handloads will push these bullets far in excess of factory(trapdoor pressure) velocities. Has anyone had any experience with these semi-spitzer original Barns bullets? Shots over 200 yards are fairly common here. The Hornady load has no problem. I would like to extend that range another 100 yards or so without too much holdover. Will the Barns bullet expand at 300 yards? I can start the 300 well over 2400fps with a safe load and the 400 will not do quite 2200.

The Barnes 458cal spitzer bullets need more impact velocity to expand than the open nose TSX bullets. I called Barnes on this very question. I forgot what the minimum necessary velocity was but you would not have it with the 45-70 @ 300 yds.

For specific info, give them a call.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

A heavier TSX might work better, BC's are pretty high for them. But 2500 fps with the 300 grain Barnes Original might have them doing pretty well, heck with a 45 caliber hole a bunch of expansion isn't needed as much as with smaller calibers.

 

[jwp475]

A heavy flat point hard cast needs not to expand to be extremely effective and that is my recomendation. Thye worked a century ago and they still do.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

But he has a scope, only so much internal elevation.

You might try what I do, experiment using the posts of the reticle as holdover points...such as sighting in on the top post, see where you hit with the middle of the crosshairs and the bottom post.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

A heavier TSX might work better, BC's are pretty high for them. But 2500 fps with the 300 grain Barnes Original might have them doing pretty well, heck with a 45 caliber hole a bunch of expansion isn't needed as much as with smaller calibers.

But he has a scope, only so much internal elevation.

You might try what I do, experiment using the posts of the reticle as holdover points...such as sighting in on the top post, see where you hit with the middle of the crosshairs and the bottom post.

Both good advice. Using the point of a duplex reticle post it a good idea. If you have a variable scope you can adjust the magnification and find which will put your bullet where you want it. Check out this ballistic chart from Barnes and adjust as necessary for your load.

https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Barnes-CFR-Specs-and-Ballistics.pdf