Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders 45-70 SML Conversions

Can anyone recommend a good smith who can convert a single shot 45-70 rifle to a SML?

Thanks, Dinny

Check with Centerpunch. His work is getting some good reports back.
https://www.centerpunchusa.com/custom-work/

Dougs message boards has more smokeless muzzleloading info than any other place I know. Here's a link:

http://dougsmessageboards.proboards.com/board/23/savage-smokeless-muzzleloading

Both Dougs and Hanks are loaded with good info but all the main people doing conversions on those boards are booked up for the remainder of the season. Hankins might have conversions already done and available for sale. Luke at ASG no longer lists 45/70 conversion work.

Centerpunch will get my work. He uses Fury Bullets so he's good in my book. Thanks for the recommendation!

Thanks, Dinny

What are the prices on Centerpunch ? I called A place and I think it was Hanks. He wanted over $1,000 to convert my Encore to smokeless. I decided to pick up the used TC Hawken for $370 out the door... Then , of course I needed the custom roundball barrel from Green Mountain. I am very happy with it and glad I got that instead. Homemade patches, home made round balls and only 50 gr. of black is cheap shooting. On the other hand , it would be cool to have a smokeless. I dont like that Hanks said he would give me one load and I can play with it if I want. I have no need for a gun that shoots 1/2" groups @ 100 yds. I need accuracy but not that much. I also refuse to pay a dollar for a bullet just to shoot. What is the price of other conversions?

$200 for the 209 conversion
$325 for the LR primer conversion

3-4 week wait time

Thanks, Dinny

Is that Centerpunches prices?

Hankins and Luke only sell the MGM or MGM Brux Encore barrels. If you had a 45/70 Encore barrel to convert its much less. You can buy a MGM 45cal barrel from ASG for around $680 so i got no idea where the $1000 price is coming from. Even the Brux is $900. No one is saying you got to use a $1-2 bullet either. You can shoot a 300gr XTP all day long. 55-58gr H4198 and a 300gr XTP will smoke BH209 in speed. Cost nearly half as much for the powder too.

58gr of H4198, wool wad and a 300gr XTP is close to 2400fps with a 209 primer. Good luck getting a 300gr going that fast with any sub. I can get a full pound of H4198 locally for $29. Thats a 120 58gr shots per pound.

Overkill, your name is appropriate for you! Snicker, I only need about 1500 fps.with a 300 gr . bullet. Are there any milder loads available for smokeless? Also, I am almost sure it was hanks that gave me a $1,000 after the rifle primer and barrel.

Sure, you can use one of the faster powders but you got to be very careful not to double load them. Faster powder will get you in huge trouble with a double load. That kind of load is not nearly as well documented and just like CF load data you just cant use less for some loads. You got to pic the right powder to do it. Light amounts of N110 or 5744 could probably do it but 1500fps is really low.

If that is all the speed you want its simple. Buy the MGM 45cal barrel from Haus of Arms. Its only about $480 shipped. Grab some BH209 and shoot the Lyman 457122 bullet resized to .452 You can buy those from Bullshop for under $50/100 shipped to your door. You only need about 70gr Blackhorn to get there. The MGM barrel fits standard TC ML barrel forearms.

http://www.hausofarms.com/HausofArmsMGM-45-Caliber-Encore-SS-Muzzleloader-Barrels_p_1328.html

Thanks Overkill. I guess I dont need 1,500 FPS but my shots are rarely more than 30 yds. A 300 gr. bullet is huge. I have a 45-70 mold for a 340 gr cast bullet but it seems lead in a smokeless is an odd combination.

Powder coat your lead bullets, size them to fit snugly in your bore and keep them at or just under 2000fps.

Thanks, Dinny

You know Dinny, that is a good idea . I have been thinking go coating my round balls.

Lordy Lordy!

Spare me O Jesus!!

Roflmao!

Thanks, Dinny

Only cause they are going down the new Green Mountain Barrel a little loose and it may tighten them up a bit. Wont hurt anything.

Hankins converted my CVA Apex 45-70 three or four years ago. Haven't taken my Savage 220 slug gun out since I started using the smokeless muzzleloader.

What load are you using? I have an Apex getting ready to shoot this week finally.

ihookem, I may know of a converted Encore barrel is you are looking.

How much?
and what kind and caliber?

200 gr Hornady SST, harvester blue sabot, 55 gr 4198. Purchased 100 of the SST's and have killed a pile of deer so far. May try something else when they're gone but no real reason to.

55gr and a 200gr SST aint that hot of a load but its still better than most smokers can do. Damn cheap to shoot too as far as the powder goes.

Goes a little over 2400 fps from what I remember. Best part is the light recoil and no cleaning between shots.

Just ordered some 225 gr Fury's to try. Will probably start with the same load 55 gr of H4198 and see how it goes.

Reviews ive seen with the Fury 225gr and 4198 will surprise you. 55gr is right in the ball park. No real need to go much higher than that unless its more accurate. You wont be giving up any speed with the 225gr according to the data ive seen posted. You may even gain a little.

Wish I could find a cva apex barrel in 45-70 to go smokeless. Currently running blackhorn which is very nice. Smokeless would be better.

Shot a smokeless this summer for the first time out to 475 yards. Count me as impressed for sure