Uberti 1885 High Wall and handloads

[David LaPell]

I took my Uberti 1885 .45-70 High Wall out today with my handloads of 300 grain lead bullets behind 50.0 grains of Reloader 7. What I learned was is that this gun hates those bullets, groups were non-existant, and the barrel leaded badly. Velocity was about 2000 fps. Am I right in thinking that with the older style of rifling, that these guns prefered heavier bullets? I just ordered some 480 grain lead bullets from Baldy to try and work ont he problem.

 

[Iggy]

Sounds like you need to back off on the velocity a wee bit or get some danged hard bullets.

 

[Nightowl]

You did not mention caliber, so I would assume it is a 45-70. If I guessed right, you might check the twist rate. If it has a slow twist, it might be best with heavier bullets at somewhere in the 1200-1400 fps velocity. it might not have a twist rate that is able to sustain a 2000 fps bullet.

Just guessing, mind you.

 

[David LaPell]

The twist does look fairly slow. From what I have found the twist rate is 1/20.

 

[n4zov]

If you are going to push cast bullets to 2,000 fps, you might try straight Linotype.

 

[David LaPell]

I would like to drop the velocity down, but I am at the minimum charge of 50 grains of RL 7 right now for the 300 grain lead bullet.

 

[deadin]

Change powders.
2000fps is going to strip lead unless it is really hard. (Straight linotype was suggested.)

 

[Stonecove]

Hi David, there are a couple of black powder forums you might check out. These guys seem to kow what they are talking about:
http://www.bpcr.net/index-a.htm
http://shootersforum.com/forumdisplay.htm?f=18
Have fun.
Stonecove