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Replica 1885 High Wall .45-120 and Ammunition?

Juggernaut
Was interested in an a replica 1885 High Wall that can use modern factory smokeless(non-Black Powder) .45-120 and was thinking on a Winchester or Uberti as I don't see a Winchester available, is there modern factory smokeless(non-BP) .45-120 ammunition available?
Is there a considerable difference in terms of energy and velocity between modern .45-70 gov and .45-120, if it exists, to substantiate owning a .45-120 replica 1885 High Wall as the rifles are expensive and I would imagine that modern .45-120 ammunition would be as well being uncommon?
I already have an 1895 octagon barrel levergun in .45-70 gov of which I use Corbon and Garrett Cartridges and love it.
Thank you.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    .45-120 (45 Express) ammo is not available through commercial ammo manufacturers.

    The 45 Express was specifically created by Winchester for the Winchester Single Shot (high-wall), and it was originally loaded with 300-grain express bullet @1640 fps. To the best of my knowledge, it was not ever factory loaded with smokeless powder. In a modern rifle it certainly could be loaded with smokeless powder (IMR 4198 would be a good choice).
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  • Hawk Carse
    No.
    The .45x 3 1/4" so called .45-120 is hideously expensive to buy and very demanding to handload. I shoot BPCR and know of nobody using it in competition. Smokeless is worse. Stick to the .45-70 especially if you will be buying ammunition.
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  • ruger41
    Ten X makes both a black powder and a smokeless load for the .45-120 but it is $$$$$$ at approx $140 a box through Cabelas in the Ten X Specialty ammo section. Here is a chart that lists Ten X's ammo data.
    http://www.tenxammo.com/files/Ballistics_Data_Sheet_8-7-2009.pdf and from the looks of it I dunno that the price justifies buying one--you might get better results if you reload.
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  • ikeda
    Any of these long cartridges are a challenge to load. IMR 4759 works real well in the 50-110. I think Buffalo Arms sells loaded ammo for the 45-120 but it is expensive and no more powerful than 45-70. Only get a 45-120 if you want a challenge and enjoy handloading.
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  • cripchas
    IFyou are going to reload the 45/120 long amo you need to get a lyman orange crusher as they have ampel room to easly load the loag carteriges ..... good luck
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  • v35
    The 45-90 chambering will also shoot 45-70 very well.
    Either will match or exceed 45-120 commercial ballistics.
    Additionally, the 300 grain bullets aren't long range bullets and lose
    energy faster than 405, 450 and 500 grainers.
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  • ikeda
    Actually what it would be great for, would be hunting with the original loading. 100+ grs of black over a 300/350 gr. lead bullet. That would be a hoot!
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  • Juggernaut
    quote:Originally posted by v35
    The 45-90 chambering will also shoot 45-70 very well.
    Either will match or exceed 45-120 commercial ballistics.
    Additionally, the 300 grain bullets aren't long range bullets and lose
    energy faster than 405, 450 and 500 grainers.


    Couldn't shooting a modern smokeless .45-70 gov cartridge in a .45-90 rifle ruin the chamber though?

    Not really interested in BPC at the moment and would rather use modern replica rifles that can handle high powered .45-70 caliber or above in modern smokeless.

    What modern replica 1885 HighWall and Rolling Block Rifles can handle the .45-70 Corbon and Garrett Cartridges?
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  • Hawk Carse
    Kirk Bryan, head honcho at Shiloh, says he has an ORIGINAL .45 x 2.4" with the chamber "wallowed out" from regular shooting of .45-70.
    Modern steels should stand up better, but why would you want to buy big and shoot small on a frequent enough basis to risk hurting the gun?

    Garret says C. Sharps rifles are ok for their big loads, and I would expect their 1885 to be as strong or stronger than a Sharps.
    The modernized Browning-Winchester-Miroku .45-70s are big and stout, the same actions used for all sorts of high intensity and belted magnum calibers.
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  • Juggernaut
    quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
    Kirk Bryan, head honcho at Shiloh, says he has an ORIGINAL .45 x 2.4" with the chamber "wallowed out" from regular shooting of .45-70.
    Modern steels should stand up better, but why would you want to buy big and shoot small on a frequent enough basis to risk hurting the gun?
    Garret says C. Sharps rifles are ok for their big loads, and I would expect their 1885 to be as strong or stronger than a Sharps.
    The modernized Browning-Winchester-Miroku .45-70s are big and stout, the same actions used for all sorts of high intensity and belted magnum calibers.


    I wouldn't shoot .45-70 in a .45-90, just answered the comment believing that it will ruin the chamber.

    That was my thought as well on the C. Sharps, Brownings and Winchesters being able to handle Corbons and Garrett Cartridges, what about the Pedersoli's?
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