Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Ask Shiloh questions about your Shiloh Sharps Rifle.

Moderators: Kirk, Lucinda

Post Reply
Stoneke
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:00 pm
Location: Klamath Falls, OR

Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by Stoneke »

I am considering rechambering my 45-70 Farmingdale that has a freebore of about .355 inches. I prefer to shoot PPB and am having difficulty in getting good accuracy. Rechambering to 45-90 will leave a slight freebore of about .060 inches. Will this small freebore pose problems with either PPB or GG rounds, should I choose to use a variety of loads? Presently, I have been experimenting with PPB rounds of bore diameter or a few thousands under, seated well into the rifling. I have not tried any grove diameter PPB rounds. which will reduce my powder capacity. I am open to suggestions and thanks for the help.
bobw
Posts: 3841
Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 12:52 pm

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by bobw »

The length of your freebore is typical of the older guns. It isn't as big a problem as it's more than likely overbored diameter. Patch some .450" ppb's to that overbored freebore diameter before you modify it. When you patch to bore in that kind of chamber you get poor results. Btdt. ..bobw
bobw
Stoneke
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:00 pm
Location: Klamath Falls, OR

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by Stoneke »

I can only get three shots with the bore riding ppb. Heavy fouling at the muzzle with using a 3/16 grease cookie. Will need to go to a thicker cookie. Will try wiping after each shot. Have loaded a .458 ppb and reduced powder from 76 gr to 72 gr to provide a reasonable hgt column for the bullet and a thicker cookie. I will try a few options with groove diameter bullets before taking any steps to rechamber. I shot a 3 yr old Bison cow last week with a bore riding ppb, so presently energy power is not a great factor. Shot place behind the ear for and immediate kill. I am going to dwell on target accuracy for the time being and enjoy the Bison meat
semtav
Posts: 2875
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:21 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by semtav »

What is the diameter of you freebore section?
Stoneke
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:00 pm
Location: Klamath Falls, OR

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by Stoneke »

.459 -.460
semtav
Posts: 2875
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:21 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by semtav »

Can you seat a bullet patched to .459-.460 in an unsized case?
semtav
Posts: 2875
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:21 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by semtav »

I shot a .454 dia bullet patched to .460 in the Browning 45-90 with ,460 freebore for quite a while with excellent results, but if your chamber is too small and you can't shoot a bullet patched to freebore dia, you might be better rechambering to 2.6 with the chamber that matches the rifling. Too big or too little sucks.
77 sharps
Posts: 330
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:45 pm
Location: N. CA

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by 77 sharps »

What is the length of your barrel and what are you using for a over powder wad?

Mike
Stoneke
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2017 4:00 pm
Location: Klamath Falls, OR

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by Stoneke »

30 inches and a milk carton wad.
mike herth
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Buffalo, WY

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by mike herth »

I believe the simplest and most satisfying resolution to your issue is to have Shiloh rebarrel it to the caliber of your choice. Been there, done that, happy camper.
User avatar
Distant Thunder
Posts: 882
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:46 am
Location: NE Wisconsin

Re: Rechambering a 45-70 Farmingdale

Post by Distant Thunder »

Rebarrel it! Get what you want and need to have the best results.

While my Shiloh wasn't a Farmer and didn't have any chamber problems, it was one of many .45-70s and only had a 26 inch barrel so it spent all its time in the safe. I finally sent it to Shiloh and Kirk rebarrel it to a 17-twist .44-2 1/4 and it is now one of my favorites and it is the one I shoot the most. You may want to do this in a way that ends up where you want to be rather than end up with just another compromise. Just my opinion, YMMV.
Jim Kluskens
aka Distant Thunder
Post Reply