Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Gibbs 45/70

dfletcher
I have a Gibbs 45/70 rifle - basically a worked over Enfield No1 Mk III with 4 shot mag & new Navy Arms barrel. Drilled & tapped, I use an old Weaver 4x scope on it. At the range yesterday it did very well with 400 grain JSP and lousy with Bear Creek hard cast 405 lead, both loads using RE7 powder.

Does anyone else have one of these and if so, do they shoot lead bullets well or poorly - trying to learn if I should skip trying lead and stick with jacketed. Up next will be 300 JSPs.

I load for a few 45/70s and know there are 3 levels of loads - 1873 and 1895 and Ruger No1/Siamese Mauser. Where does the SMLE fit in this - 1895 or Mauser? Since this is the Frontier built on a No MkIII action I'm leaning towards 1895.

Any bullet types or general powder selections (I usually use 4198) appreciated.
0

Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • dfletcher
    I am considering buying a Gibbs 45/70 bolt action. Does anyone have any info. on Gibbs rifles as far as quality, accuracy and dependability. I know they take surplus guns and modify them, but have never shot one. I like the 45/70 bolt action concept. The price is only $289. Any info is appreciated
    0
  • tsr1965
    dfletcher,

    Most of the time, modern rifles are rifled for use with jacketed bullets. There are a few exceptions out there like the Browning 1885 BPCR, Marlin 1895CB, and some of the Marlin cowboy guns. They have the Ballard style rifling designed for lead bullets, as the BPCR boys, and the SASS only allow lead bullets...no jackets.

    Best
    0
  • MIKE WISKEY
    "I'm leaning towards 1895."..........that is what I'd do (I load for several of each). Cast bullets are a 'law unto themselves', velocity and bullet style/weight can make a big difference, have fun.
    0
  • givette
    I have two separate loading tables for .45-70 meant for original 1873 Sprg's, and 1886 Winchesters. No repros on the market then. If you want, I'll give you the load data for the 1886 Winchester.

    Since the loads are for original rifles (not repros), your Enfield should be able to digest them W/O problem. Best, Joe

    EDIT
    E-mail sent. Best again, Joe
    0
  • dfletcher
    quote:Originally posted by givette
    I have two separate loading tables for .45-70 meant for original 1873 Sprg's, and 1886 Winchesters. No repros on the market then. If you want, I'll give you the load data for the 1886 Winchester.

    Since the loads are for original rifles (not repros), your Enfield should be able to digest them W/O problem. Best, Joe


    Joe - that would be great, thank you. I'll probably end up doing jacketed out of the Enfield, but I have some (hard cast) Penn 370 grain spitzers that I really like and have had great luck with in Contender handgun and rifle. So perhaps I can conjure up a load from a 405 grainer.

    Thank you.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity