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The carbine does quite well with a full power, 70 grain load, and the 405 grain cast bullet.
Guess you're way stronger and tougher than the Indian Wars cavalry troops. They shot the 405g bullet over 55g of black powder...something like our FFg. That was the issue carbine load.
Dave
I must be. I am!! Thank you!
But I've never been "recoil sensitive". I would imagine that among the troops there were many who would not be bothered shooting the rifle load in the carbine, who were perhaps "gun guys" to begin with and then there were many "city boys", new recruits, not experienced with firearms, or more recoil sensitive types who were bothered by it. The solution of course would be the lighter load to improve marksmanship with the recruits and those who were more recoil sensitive. ? That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it! I really don't think the rifle load kicks that badly in the carbine. And I don't think every trooper would have found it "objectionable".
The 55 grain carbine load did have it's disadvantages, the rifle load, from the rifle out-ranged it quite a bit. At the battle of the Rosebud, when the Cavalry troops were getting hard pressed, or in a pinch, they would then have the infantry come up and put more effective rifle fire on the enemy, and drive them back.
To those of you who want to fire the hottest BP loads you can, more power to you.
My intention in shooting BPC has always been one of pursuing the historical experience as it was in the 19th Century. Years ago, when I owned a Trapdoor "carbine" (in reality a cut down rifle that made it affordable), I shot the 55g/405 load because I wanted to know what it was like for the cavalry troopers in the late 1870s and 1880s.
I have a Remington RB Sporting rifle now and I load 69.2g of FFg behind a 415g RNFP. My fixed rotor measure won't throw exactly 70g but 69.2 is getting close. I can't cast bullets anymore (too busted up these days) so I buy them from Montana Bullet Works and his version, lubed with SPG, comes out at 415g instead of the original 405. Sharps actually sold 45-70 ammo (they called it the 45 2-1/10") loaded with 70g of powder behind a 420g bullet. My handload is close to that original loading for my civilian rifle.
YMMV,
Dave
To those of you who want to fire the hottest BP loads you can, more power to you.
.I'm shooting the 535gr Postell out of my Pedersoli Sharps with 60gr 2F behind it..