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45/70 loads for Contender and Encore

doitnow007
HELP, I own a short barreled Contender (14") and Encore (16") and can't hit anything using factory loads (extruded powder). I called the T/C rep and he told me to swab the bore after each shot. I told him to swab his bore with barbed wire. I am thinking I need a ball powder and /or flake powder load to get on paper and not have to clean the bore after each inaccurate shot. The Encore is 2 feet low at 40 yards, the Contender is about 18 inches low and both are all over the target, 10 to 14 inch groups. Pleasr help! I would like to use a 300 grain ball in the Contender and, a 350 grain ball in the Encore.
Thanks, Scotty
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • mrbruce
    Flake or ball powders really don't have much to do with accuracy problems, especially with a 45/70
    If your guns dont seem to shoot as good as you want, try to find someone that you know is a good shooter before you do anything else.
    Reloads can help if you do that, otherwise try a lot of different factory loads. and maybe one of them will work for your guns.
    If it still dont shoot to your likeing, have a smith check the crown, and the throat, and the sight system out really good.


    Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.
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  • Throckmorton
    Are you shooting cast bullets? we had bad luck shooting cast in our 45-70 Contendor.Not as bad as you're having,but sure was not good.
    Hope ya don't get insulted,but since I don't know you...you are using .458 sized bullets? You call them balls which is an unusual term for bullets. Just wondering.

    Throckmorton SASS #23149
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  • surekill
    Hummm I use 405gr. factory loads(winchesters) in my 15" encore and get 1 inch groups @100 yards..3/4" to 1/2" with 300gr hp (reloads)I use reloader #7. You got to be doing something wrong to shot groups as you listed here [B)].I never seen a bad T/C barrel,between my brothers and myself we have over 100 plus barrels NOT A BAD 1 IN THE BUNCH [:D]
    Are you shooting open sights or scope[?]

    GET~R~DONE!
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  • danski26
    Are you loading a round ball in a 45/70 case?

    0311 semper fi
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  • gruntled
    A .45 cal ball would not weigh anywhere near 300 grains.
    I haven't shot factory loads out of my 16" Contender but
    I do use the same loads I use in my trapdoor carbine with
    good results. 405 gr. as cast & 3031 powder.
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  • mbsams
    To have this much shot to shot variation, something other than the ammo is wrong. Something is physically moving from shot to shot. Carefully examinie the gun, sights, and shooter. Find out what is moving!
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