Shiloh Rifle Forums

How do?

I'm new here, and this may end up being a stupid question, but since I've never let that stop me in the past, here goes:

Have any of you worked up .45-100-2.6 smokeless loads for a Shiloh? I just dropped my rifle order (30" 1874 LR Express) yesterday, so I have a while to reconsider the caliber (.45-70, perhaps), but I'd rather not have to. I'd like the extra "umph" of the longer case, but I can't find smokeless loads anywhere.

Of course, that also raises the question of whether or not it's even safe (e.g. exceeding manufacturers rifle chamber pressure tolerances) to explore this as an option. What say you regarding this concern?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

I'm not going to be one to chastise you for using smokeless in these guns cause that's your choice.

But since you wouldn't even fill a 45-70 case with smokeless before you reach maximum pressure I doubt you are gonna need the extra room of a 45.2.6.

Still the 45 2.6 would be fine because at some point you may see the light of day and try black in which case, the 45 2.6 would be an excellent choice.

Good luck.

I'm not going to be one to chastise you for using smokeless in these guns cause that's your choice.

But since you wouldn't even fill a 45-70 case with smokeless before you reach maximum pressure I doubt you are gonna need the extra room of a 45.2.6.

Still the 45 2.6 would be fine because at some point you may see the light of day and try black in which case, the 45 2.6 would be an excellent choice.

Good luck.

After I posted that , I reread your last paragraph.
Please don't go there, and if you do, please do it far away from anyone.
Then destroy the rifle when done because no doubt it will be a time bomb

Thank you, semtav. The gravity of your replies is not lost on me. Looks like I may be backing my way into black powder shooting, after all.

Mike, welcome to the forum. Shooting smokeless rounds is a question that does get asked from time to time on this forum and the usual response is... "you should be using Black Powder." If you're new to loading/shooting BPCR the reason is simple, they shoot better loaded with black powder. As far as shooting the 2.6 round, it can be a great performer and I have competed with that caliber for many years. However, I would go with the .45-70 first. Factory smokeless rounds are readily available if you want to go that route and the .45-70 in black is one of the most accurate loads there is when properly loaded. There is a lot of loading info on this round. Good luck.
Dennis

Thank you, Dennis. There's a lot of food for thought in your reply. I appreciate it greatly.

What do you want to do with this Rifle? Hunt? Plink? Targets? Match shooting? A bit of everything? This will affect the answers you receive.

If you are new to all of this, I suspect you might want to start with a 45-70. The work has been done, the data is there, and it can always be rechambered should the desire be there. Though that's a dandy excuse for another rifle . . .

36gr of AA5744 with a RCBS 400gr RNFPGC (mine come out at 430ish with lube an gas check) and a fed210. with a 32in barrel I was getting, 1699fps, SD of 6fps. I used this load for fireforming brass and general plinking.


matt

Side note...... the Lyman 50th reloading manual has load data for 45-70, 45-90, 45-100

I have a Shiloh 74 in 45-2.6. I did try 5744 and it works but kick's like a mule. I would recommend if you want to shoot smokeless stay with the 45-70. You can get the same results only much safer. I also have a Shiloh Mt R.R. heavy half that I shoot for silly wet and long range in 45-70. This rifle has only had Black powder and cast bullets through it. It's my favorite and fun to shoot. Thats what it's all about isn't it.

Good luck,
Dan

Thank you all for your input and encouragement. I've requested a change to my order to reflect chambering in .45-70 AND I'm going to earn to load black powder cartridges. That way, I won't be a walking safety hazard.

Thank you, again.

Tom

Hey Tom,

I'm pretty new here too and I started out with buffalo guns in the same mindset as you, that is, I was shooting smokeless (5744). I thought I had things pretty well in hand until I participated in last year's Quigley match.

The reality is that these rifles, in these chamberings (anything from 38-55 to 50-140) simply function better with black powder. I took my lumps and started off to re-learn all the things I "knew" previously, and got a lot of help from this forum. You're in the right place to get things figured out.

Hi Tom,

It's been a while since I checked, but last I knew Shiloh only warranted the 45-70 chambered rifles for use with smokeless powders. So that is something to consider.

Kevin

Just FYI, Shiloh warrenties for smokeless powder in all calibers currently factory loaded with smokeless. Right now that would be:
-.30-40 Krag
-.38-55
- 405 Winchester
- 45-70

Good info Luke, and makes perfect sense. Thanks for correcting me!