As for getting in more powder in a case than the nominal headstamp charge, most shooters seem to have the opposite experience - i.e. 62-64 grs in a 45-70 case, 73-75 grs in a 45-90, etc.
"That is, 45.70s could only be loaded with about 60 grs and 45-90s with about 75 grs, and so forth." Mike Venturino in "Shooting Buffalo Rifles of the Old West".
In fact, no where in his book does Venturino get the full nominal charge in any case with the exception of the 44-77 BN. On page 155, the chapter on the 45-110 (2-7/8"), there is a picture of an original factory 45-110 cartridge box and the listed powder charge is 100 grs with a 550 gr bullet.
Seller's book states that factory 2-7/8" cases were loaded with 90 grs, later increased to 100 grs under 500 gr bullets. Only with the 'Express' load (45-110-293) did the case hold 110 grs.
I have Mike's book, he gave it to me autographed when I met him in Montana. But I have to admit I've not read it, nor can I understand why he should make such a statement unless he's refering to a very long bodied, deep seated Government bullets - certainly not bore riders anyway. I don't load for 45 x 2 1/10 but my shooting partner does. He won the World Long Range Championship in South Africa in 2006 with it. His load was 73 grns of Swiss #3 and a 565 grn Paul Jones cut PGT. He wasn't breach seating nor does he have long freebore, it's a standard Pedersoli Long Range chamber cut. Dave G. just pipped him on the mid range to take the overall title. Colin is currently doing load development for a 40/70SS. At the moment he's up around the 90 grns! I load 40/65 with 67 grns Swiss #3 and an NEI Lundy, again with a standard Pedersoli chamber. I load 50/90 with 104 grns of Swiss #4 using a money style bullet specifically designed for me (and a standard Shiloh chamber) by, well, you'll know him as HPGUY. That gives tack driving accuracy but the load development range started at 98 grns and went all the way up to 118 grns. To load 90 grns would need a filler. I could give you chapter and verse on shooters loading more than the "named" volume if you wish, my side of the pond and yours. On the other hand I also load for a 50/95 Winchester '76 and can't quite make the 95 grns. But then I don't need to as it's accurate with less. The only reason for loading more or less powder than the "named" volume is to obtain optimum accuracy and that is done by good load development. Sometimes it's more sometimes it's less. So, I'll say again, I'm at a loss to know whey Mike should make such a statement. I'll ask him next time we speak.
I have read Sellers, it's a good read. But I've also seen the 45-550-120 cartridge box when I last visited the US. The Gettysburg Museum - I think. But it may have been in Cody. The reason I know about the 120 grn load is that there were many and lengthy "discussions" about the "45/120" on the old Shooters forum. Do you remember it?
I agree that Kirk does not cut his chambers for paper patching - unless you ask him to. But are you refering to Shiloh pre Bryans with regards to freebore?
I can only assume your friend does not drop tube nor compress, there can't be any other reason for even considering the 405 grn.....!
Of course pads
may detract from the historical aspect of shooting BPCRs (but so does loading nitro or BP subs
), but do you have any historical evidence that something was not used to dampen recoil. I have no evidence that they were, but then I've never looked for it. All I can say is that recoil hurt then as it does now and I can't believe that shooters then did not do something to alleviate it. But I can also say that when I enter a match, do load development or just shoot for the hell of it I'm shooting more rounds in a shorter time than a buffalo runner so recoil protection is, to me, perfectly acceptable.
As a matter of interest what name did you post under on the other site?
Hold centre (and read the wind)
Clive