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[quote=Stan_in_SC]I got word that my 45-70 is ready at the gunsmith's.I'll go over in the morning and see if he has done all I wanted.If so I'll bring it home and mount the K-6 El Paso Weaver and bore sight it.
I have been looking for the correct rifle for this project for seven years.Then it is load development time.I'm going to stay with 300 grain jacketed HP bullets but they are gonna be sho nuff "thumpers".
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Stan, is this your Siamise Mauser? What all did you have done to it. I'm not at all familiar with these rifles but gather from your comment that you can use some hot loads in them.

Bill

Griz, sorry for the delay in responding. I was perch fishing!

No, I haven't traveled up to Lake Erie. I have a cabin at Lake Raystown, halfway between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. It's 2 hours from home. Erie is 6 hours from home. I was going to tow the boat up to Erie for a few days but when I can catch 12"-15" perch at Raystown it is hard to justify the time and expense.

Ron

Grizzly,
The Siamese Mauser was built in Japan for Siam.The original cartridge was a big rimmed 8MM or 9MM something.The size of the bolt is what makes these popular for 45/70 conversions since you can open the bolt face up enought to accomodate the 45/70 round and the magazine rails can be opened enough to feed 45/70.The barrel is a new one.
I had him check it out,open the feed rails and I wanted a low swing safety to clear the scope body.It was a half way done work in progress when I acquired it at the last gun show.I picked it up today and just got in from my shop where I mounted the scope.
I will shoot it as a test on my range trip tomorrow but I have already determined some more stuff I want done so it'll go back to the smith Friday.I just gotta test it.
I have two other 45/70's.An NEF Handi rifle and a Marlin 1895.I like the round.
Dave, the match book was something I didn't originally catch.I remember doing that.
Been really cool here since the rain on Sunday.Low this morning was 44 degrees.Unheard of for this time of year.

Stan in SC

Ron, 12-15 inch Perch are great eating, Your lucky to have a fishery that close to you. How was the fishing on your latest trip?

Stan, interesting project you've got going with the mauser. Keep us posted on how it shoots. My Ruger seems to shoot all facory loads fairly consistantly. I also have some 300 and 350 Gr reloads that shoot well in it. The hot load of 405 gr Rem sp
opens up to about 2.25 inches at 100 yards.

GB

Bill,

Which #1 do you have? Gander had one that the gunsmith built that was pretty slick. It tempted me many times, but as usual it was about $150 more than I wanted to pay. It may still be there, but I think last time I saw it, they wanted 9 bills for it.

Tom

Tom, mine is a 1S, in 45-70. It's about 10 years old and came from Gander up in Wausau. This one sat on the rack for a long time and was eventually marked down to $495 if I remember correctly. 45-70's just were not big sellers.

My son shot his cape buffalo with a number 1 in 458 Win 2 years ago.

Bill

I'd be all over one for $500. The one the have/had now has the sights removed, metal has teflon coating, and some trigger work. It is used, and they were looking for $850 I think.

I love the #1 in 45-70, and want one...someday maybe.

I shot it today and it does really good.The first three shots at 25 yards were touching indicating consistent point of impact.At 100 yads the group opened up to about three inches but I feel sure it was the military trigger.When I got home I dropped it back off to the gunsmith to install a Timmey trigger and do a couple of other small things.Like I said it is a work in progress.
I still like my NEF Handi rifle in 45/70 bestest of all.It is very accurate,light and an absolute joy to shoot.Best $228 I ever spent.
Further reports will follow.

Stan in SC

3" at 100, I could live with that. I remember as a kid, the old timers telling me to keep it on paper plate at 100. Of course that was with a Remington 742, 30-06, so that may be as good as it got.

It sounds like you have a fun little project there Stan. Let us know how it works out.

Tom

Tom, normally I find Gander to be priced on the high side when it comes to guns. Keep an eye on gunbroker.com and like sites. They'll give you a better idea of what a gun can be had for.

Stan, thanks for the range report. Can't wait to find out how well that mauser will actually shoot once you get things the way you want them.

post some pictures if you can swing it stan. mauser blown out to a 45-70 sounds pretty cool.

so.... beings you are bolt action, can you/do you run pointed bullets in that one?

I don't load any pointed 45/70's.My main loading is 300 grain Remington Jacketed hollow points.I do have some 350 grain round nose jacketed soft points that are very accurate.My buddy in Oklahome City who does bullet casting sent me some varied cast bullets all the way up to 465 grain.I have loaded and shot some of them.I don't load them "HOT".They are more accurate at milder loadings,not to mention easier on the shoulder.I have a box of the Hornady "Leverrevolution" 325 grain ballistic tips and have shot several of them.I am not impressed.My loads are better suited for me.Two or three years ago I surprised a coyote while I was deer hunting.He kinda tried to trot on past me.The 45/70 caught him in the shoulder and spun him around.Bang,flop!
45-70 is a great deer round because it just goes right thru and doesn't blood shoot any meat.The old axiom about "you can eat right up to the bullet hole on a 45-70"is true.
The 45-70 was the first metallic rifle cartridge ever accepted by the US Army.General Custer's troops were armed with 45-70 rifles at the battle of Greasy Grass hill,better known as "Custer's Last Stand" on that fateful day of June 25,1876.
The original "Gatling" guns were chambered in 45-70.
Several interesting tidbits for you.
I'm traveling to Atlanta,Georgia tomorrow(130 miles) for a luncheon of all of the retirees of the company I used to work for.It'll be good to see all of them.

Stan in SC

So you boys got me on lookin' spree, and that ain't good. actually it is pretty good, just not cheap.

found a few nice 45-70's and one heck of a nice Ruger #1, but it was 7 bills. So thanks for that. Now I have to come up with $700.

Tom,
Try a Handi rifle.

Stan

Tom, I can save you a few bucks. I've got a 450 Marlin (Like new of course) I'd sell you. Stan's suggestion of the Handy Rifle is a good one also.

Just curious bill, why are you selling the .450?

Prolly cuz not everyone like to abuse themselves like you do. . I see another .450 in the shickenbuck rack.

Thanks Bill, but I'll pass on that one. I always like the Rugers. The Handi-rifle doesn't do it for me, but I haven't shot one yet either.

Guns, guns, guns. Normally, I would find that interesting...buuuuttttt, we came to terms on a lot yesterday and so it is official, the Berettaman family will be building a house this year! Wahooo! And I will be taking a cue from ND and taking lots and lots of pictures.

I just ask cause I've got one myself. When I was looking for a big bad carbine lever the .444 was fairly new on the scene. I had a local shop order some in winchester's "timber carbine" a very pretty 94 chambered in .444

I looked them over, I loved the look. The wood was beautiful & I have always prefered the narrow fore end grip on the winchester vs the marlin. But the action failed to impress me.

So I held off for a marlin to hit the shelf in .444

It was about then that the .450 was released in Marlin's 1895M and I just had to have one.

Looking back & knowing what I know now... well I've just got a belted 45-70 loaded hot.

Heck I coulda done that myself minus the belt which isn't good for anything other than to keep a hot load out of a weak action.