45-60 for Hunting

[Chiefht]

I am fairly new to the forum and have just bought a 1876 Centenial in 45-60 Uberti Reproduction. I will soon be reloading some rounds. Will be using Accurate 5744 and Trailboss. Would appreciate any good load data. Also interested if anyone uses their 45-60 for hunting.

[Silver_Rings]

Take a look at these loads.  They may give you an idea of what to try.
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,36384.0.html

Also search on 45-60 loads for more info.

SR

[Dirty Brass]

I've had good success with 24.5 GR of 5744 under a 300 gr bullet. Took a small doe at 65 yards or so cleanly 2 years ago. 

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[Big Muddy]

I loaded mine with a 410 gr bullet and Goex Cartridge grade powder to kill a buffalo. Shot was at 118 yards quartering away and the bullet lodged in the opposite side shoulder. One shot one kill.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Big Muddy
If you have any pictures we would love for you to share them . The 76 is a fine ole rifle , during its hey day it was a excellent choice for the Hunter .

[Arizona Trooper]

Dirty Brass, that's good to know. I have been shooting 21 gr. of 5744 and the 1881 Marlin bullet (430 gr flat nose) in my 45-60 Whitney. It runs a little over 1000 fps. I'd love to take it on an elk hunt! Your results on buff make me feel pretty good about doing that. 

[Dirty Brass]

I'm sure that would be good medicine for an elk, with proper bullet placement 

[badlands]

I've taken whitetail, mulies and wild boar with my original 76, it's a slobber knocker for sure.  All hundred yard + or - and good clean kills.  Have not taken my chaparral hunting yet, but it shoots as good as the winchester.

[Big Muddy]

Big Muddy
If you have any pictures we would love for you to share them . The 76 is a fine ole rifle , during its hey day it was a excellent choice for the Hunter .

I have some pics, just have to find where I stored them.

[h c ramrod]

I HAVE BEEN PLAYIN WITH A 45/60 CAL. 420GRN LEAD GAS CHECKED IT HAS 4 GREESE GROVES.
I LOAD 23 GRN OF 5744 POWDER . I GET AROUND 5 INCH GROUP AT 1OOYRDS THE BEST MY EYES LET ME SEE A THREE INCH GOUP AT 60 YARDS ,
CHRONO AT 12OO FPS .
IT SHOWS NO SIGN OF OVER PRESURE , IT SHOOTS GREAT I WOULD LIKE TO GET A CHANCE TO DEER HUNT WITH IT OR HOG HUNT. OH BY THE WAY I HAVE A TANG SIGHT ON IT AND ITS THE NWMP CARB. AND I WAS HITTING CLAY PIGION IN THE GRAVEL BANK AT 200 YRDS , WELL HIT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BREAK THE CLAYS.......LOL

[Trailrider]

I HAVE BEEN PLAYIN WITH A 45/60 CAL. 420GRN LEAD GAS CHECKED IT HAS 4 GREESE GROVES.
I LOAD 23 GRN OF 5744 POWDER . I GET AROUND 5 INCH GROUP AT 1OOYRDS THE BEST MY EYES LET ME SEE A THREE INCH GOUP AT 60 YARDS ,
CHRONO AT 12OO FPS .
IT SHOWS NO SIGN OF OVER PRESURE , IT SHOOTS GREAT I WOULD LIKE TO GET A CHANCE TO DEER HUNT WITH IT OR HOG HUNT. OH BY THE WAY I HAVE A TANG SIGHT ON IT AND ITS THE NWMP CARB. AND I WAS HITTING CLAY PIGION IN THE GRAVEL BANK AT 200 YRDS , WELL HIT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BREAK THE CLAYS.......LOL

Just wondering if that 420 grain bullet is a tad heavy for the rifling twist???  You might get tighter groups with, say a 350 gr.  A 385 gr. gas check (Lyman #457483GC cast from #2 alloy or the equivalent) might be better.  Just MHO!

[Big Muddy]

Trailrider

I found the heavy 420 gr. bullets shot much better than any of the lighter weights when distance got beyond 100yds. The repro '76's have the same twist rate as my 45-70's. (At least the Chappy does, not sure about the Uberti). I shoot mine with black, but have tried the same load that ramrod is shooting and found it very accurate as well.

I have not tried the heavier bullets with my original. All I shoot from that one are 300's.

Dan

[Grizzly Adams]

Check this out.   http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/boregroovetwist/bore_groove_twist-Uberti.htm

[Chiefht]

Thanks Grizzly that is some useful information 

David

[Chiefht]

Big Muddy did you fine them pics

[Big Muddy]

Here are some of the pics of the buffalo hunt with Hawes Ranch Outfitters in KS.

Dan

[Chiefht]

Nice Pics  Would you recomend that outfitter?

[Big Muddy]

Nice Pics  Would you recomend that outfitter?

ABSOLUTELY!

Lee Hawes is a great guy that loves the old time guns and cartridges. We spent a lot of time sitting in a "dug out" talking guns, him showing off some, etc. I enjoyed that as much as the hunt.

It is not a difficult hunt really, but if you want to get the feel of being a buffalo hunter, it is about as close as you can get I think. We stayed in a Tee Pee, rode horses to hunt, ate in a dug out cook shack, had food cooked over a camp fire. We dressed in period clothing and used 1800's era guns. It is not required, but is encouraged. There was another group in camp with us that used a scoped rifle, but I don't think it was as much fun for them.

Prices are based on the size buff you want. I went for the smaller "spike" bull. Prices are quite a bit higher now, but then so is everything. It is still a bargain compared to some of the other places I looked at, and the 1800's atmosphere was what really drew me to Lee.

Dan