doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1889 Remington Hammer gun converted to .45-70

Not to in anyway impunge the .45-70, but I seem to recall that Billy Dixon used a .50 cal Sharps on that long range shot at the Indian. I don't recall the exact round, I think a .50-90 perhaps. Wasn't even his own rifle, in fact don't believe he had shot it before. He was considered the best shot by the group so was elected to try. He himself stated it was luck, but obviously he helped "Luck" along with good shooting practises, good range estimation & knowledge of trajectories.

Wait a little longer and get Ruger Hawkeye 'Alaskan' chambered for .375 Ruger. Man, you're going to appreciate that Hogue rubberized stock and thick recoil pad, this thing kicks hard at both ends! I luv that all weather finish, but wish it was offered with 23" barrel like the 'African' version.

I just this year hunted with a Ruger mark 2 77 in .35 whellen, it has a Hogue rubberized stock on it. Man you aint kiddin, that stock makes shooting Sweet!! I can only imagine how that .375 Ruger is going to kick!. I think I may pick up a new frontier rifle this year in the new .338 Federal chambering.
I have the Billy Dixon article in a magazine here some where. You maybe correct, but in the article it doesn't say if it was someone elses rifle. I knew it was a 90Grain loading but thought it was.45 chamber, But I have been known to be wrong on occasion, it could easily have been a .50 chamber.
Someday I will find that dang article again!. LOL

Try this link for Adobe Walls http://www.oldwestlibrary.com/OWL/adobewalls.htm it will tell the story.




Rich

Great care should be taken in converting a double barreled shotgun into a rifle. I saw an L. C. Smith converted into 30-40 Krag caliber come apart. The back of the receiver cut loose. Luckily no one was seriously hurt. I do not think that shotgun receivers are strong evough to fire rife loads. It might have burst because of the firing pin holes having too much leeway and the primer flowed back through the opening causing it to fail.

L.C.Smiths should never be used to build double rifles, especially the older one, they are not much stronger than cast iron.

Rich

According to the L C Smith plans & specifications book frames were made from 1020 steel. They were made from a forging. 1020 is a carburizing grade of mild steel, & is in no way at all related to cast iron. Most shotgun actions are not suitable for high pressure rifle rounds. Most, including the L C Smith, should be up to black powder levels of .45-70, .38-55 etc. Large dia firing pins should never be used for high pressure rounds.

The 30-40 Krag was the 1st US Military round designed for smokeless powder. It will develop 39,000 CUP. The 45-70 loaded for the trap door rifle will develop 28,000 CUP. Loaded for a Ruger single shot and the pressures quickly jump into the 30-06 range. IMR lists a 1 1/8 12ga load at 1250 fps at 11,000 PSI. The same load can be loaded down to 8,000 PSI.

As for the firing pin. It should be bushed during the conversion. This is just common sense to prevent the primer from flowing back.

Some years ago, I purchased a set of 45-70 inserts from MCA Sports . At the time I spoke to him about loadings. He stated flat out, "Keep the handloads in the trap door range."

Pete

If you can't afford DR in "Railroad Caliber" I would go with Ruger No.1 in .450/400 for DG, but make that shot count, I heard it's unforgiving to miss. They also chamber 9,3x74R, but that's mite on light side for the big stuff. The ammo comes from Hornady.