I have been shooting my 1885 High Wall 45-70 using 520gr cast bullets over 64gr FFFg Wano black with reasonable success, but in an attempt to reduce recoil I'm thinking of trying a 420gr conical cast bullet to see if that helps. Also wondering if maybe reducing the powder load would also reduce recoil to a more acceptable level (for me). Does anyone have any experience using these lighter lead bullets? Any thoughts would be appreciated 

I use 12 grs Unique with a Lyman 385 gr in my 1885 Hi wall and 1888 Trapdoor. Very pleasant shooting and good accuracy. I've also loaded up the trapdoor with 65 grains of 2F and a Lee 405 HB Recoil wasn't too bad. Years ago I had a 525 gr Postell type mold and it was a shoulder bruiser with 65 grs of 2F. The most I could fit in my modern cases. Those heavy bullets add kick.

John

The carbine load used by the cavalry was 55 grains and a 405 grain bullet. It makes big difference in the lighter rifles.

"No More Wads: Around 1886, the military discontinued the use of filler wads in the carbine cartridge.Deeper Seating: Instead of a filler, the arsenal simply seated the 405-grain bullet deeper into the case directly on top of the 55-grain powder charge, which naturally shortened the overall cartridge length and made it easily distinguishable from the rifle round."

It's been years since I loaded some but around 5 or 6 grains of unique and an appropriate sized round lead ball and I think lube smeared on top is a fun round to plink with. I'm sure a search will find better directions.

After my last run to the range with my new trapdoor carbine, I am definitely looking for a lighter load. 71gr of Swiss 1.5 behind a 535gr postel beats you up in a 7ish pound rifle, no problem at all in my regular silhouette rifles.

Still trying to figure out how the recoil seemed to mess my wrist up...

George Babits wrote yesterday at 10:11am:


My trapdoor was a custom build from parts with a new stock and a badger 1:18 twist barrel. I plan on using it for open sight silhouette,  so the faster twist should stabilize the bigger bullet, just need to knock the recoil down a bit

I think my 45-70 rebarreled 1874 Sharps has a 1 in 18 twist and I have always shot 420 grain flat nose (457193 I think) in it with excellent results for long range gong shoots out to 1000 yards and hunting.  I never could see the sense in beating myself with those heavier bullets.  I have very good results with a 330 grain FN bullet is one of my shorter barrel Peabody rifles and 60 grains of FFg.   A 50-70 Sharps carbine is very pleasant to shoot with 60 grains of Fg and a 350 grain bullet.

George