45-70 and a 28" barrel?

[rat patrol]

Has anyone tested the ballistics of a 45-70 out of a 28" barrel? I'm befuddled why manufactureres use 24" barrels other than its the standard lengh

[Shasta]

I've never seen a 28" barreled .45-70, but my Uberti made 1876 Winchester in .45-60 has a 28" barrel. It of course does not equal the performance of the .45-70 round, but is a good shooter none the less.

SHASTA

[Rusty]

H&R's come in a 22" standard or a 32" for the Buffalo Classic. I don't think there is a standard.

[dkmlever]

I just bought a Ruger #1 with a 26 inch barrel in 45-70. Looking forward to seeing how it does.

[Old Savage]

The Browning 1885 had a 28" barrel. I tested it against a 22" with a number of loads. What are you interested in. It tended to string loads vertically more with velocity variation. 45-70 doesn't rely on velocity to be effective.

[Don McDowell]

I've tested velocity from 28-32 inch barrels with blackpowder, and there's not alot of difference, certainly not enough to get wound up about. 30 inch is about the best allround for shooting blackpowder. I would imagine 22-24 probably get about all the goody from smokeless.

[rat patrol]

My bad, rifle is a 26" barrel....I keep thinking its a 28.

I asked because I'm taking it elk hunting at around 6500-7000 ft and the internet ballistic charts show a wide variation in bullet drop with the same weight and BCE; either I'm teading them wrong or alltitude really effects things and I live at 5500 ft. Regardless, it sounds like the real world ballistics are marginal enough not to worry about....thanks!

[Old Savage]

Have data on that length to in the same tests - what would you like to know? Load level?

[rat patrol]

Have data on that length to in the same tests - what would you like to know? Load level?

Just the basics, like load level w/ 325 grn and bullet drop. Thanks.

[Old Savage]

Looking at 5 loads 300 gr (jacketed and cast), 350 gr cast, 405 gr cast, 430 gr cast - the averages are 40 - 60 fps higher with 26" vs 22". Some loads had big variance in on rifle (both Marlin Ballard rifled) and not the other. None of the loads were low variance with both rifles. Velocity ranges of the loads was from 1144 fps to 2102 fps. Basically you have to test your load in your rifle. H 4198 was used in four loads and 2400 in the 405 gr.

[Old Savage]

The 24" barrels are often pressure barrels not firearms.

Best load for the 26" Cowboy was 430 gr. GC Lazercast with 35.0 gr H4198 for 1544 fps avg. 18 fps spread.

[rat patrol]

Thanks bro.

I definately need more range time with the Browning 1886(1986). This coming week will be the real test though