Maybe the dinosaurs will return and you'll have a practical use for those "brontobullet" loads.Quinc wrote:I have given up on the 458 Socom, and am now looking at the Rossi Rio 45-70. Only reason I really want it is so I can throw 500+ grain bullets down range, and I really want a lever action. So two birds one stone.
I reload and plan to shoot 99% cast bullets, and was hoping some reloaders could let me know what the biggest bullet is that will feed? I will shoot mostly the MO 350 and 405gr bullets, but would like the option to throw some of the more ridiculous ones down range as well.
Also will it shoot the solid bullets like the Barns 500gr TSX?
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... ctId/22530
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... ductId/563
Not much experience base with the rifle as yet, you might be the fellow that provides the answer for your choices. Every bullet has a different length, nose length, and ogive. I have just worked with cast bullets which introduces different diameters in the mix so I cannot offer any help with your choices.Quinc wrote:I guess the right question would be what is the max OAL that can still reliably feed in the Rio Grande?
Ranch Dog wrote:Not much experience base with the rifle as yet, you might be the fellow that provides the answer for your choices. Every bullet has a different length, nose length, and ogive. I have just worked with cast bullets which introduces different diameters in the mix so I cannot offer any help with your choices.Quinc wrote:I guess the right question would be what is the max OAL that can still reliably feed in the Rio Grande?
Now the question is what will the Rossi handle and why in the heck doesn't Rossi have this info readily available? Can the Rossi handle 40k CUP? 
Rossi's only obligation is to make the rifle function with factory ammo at the CIP or SAAMI spec. They, like other manufacturers, specifically mention that the use of handloaded ammo voids the warranty on the rifle.Quinc wrote: Now the question is what will the Rossi handle and why in the heck doesn't Rossi have this info readily available
I personally do not think so. Please remember that the RG is a 336 clone, not a 1895 clone. There is a lot less "meat" at the receiver where the barrel threads meet it. I have pressure trace tested the rifle at 35.0K PSI. From my measurements of the chambers of my various Marlins, the pressure trace work I have done with them, and a comparison of that against the Rio Grande, that is all I am comfortable shooting this rifle at.Quinc wrote:Can the Rossi handle 40k CUP?
Do you sell your cast bullets? I don't have the time or any desire to cast my own. Rolling my own takes enough time. And living in Komifornia where lead wheel weights are out lawed makes it hard to get cheap sources of lead.Jacko wrote:I was messing around with what overall length and if my Rio Grande 45.70 would chamber 500 gr rnfp Proj the other Day. Using a Westcast 500 gr rnfp commercial hardcast I seated a proj long and eventually arrived at 2.575 where the Rifle would feed from the magazine and chamber.
These proj only have a .330" wide metplat and the nose of the proj begins to taper to the metplat from just after the crimp groove unlike other big Proj with wider metplats I've seen that seem to have less taper after the crimp groove.
I have been looking around and have not found an off the Shelf 450 gr - 500 gr Bullet Mould that I am confident would Chamber but am considering Mountain Moulds http://mountainmolds.com/ He has a unique feature where you can play with an online programme and design your own Proj. http://mountainmolds.com/
regards Jacko
How do you calculate CUP in your reloads? Also If i stick with the minimum loads in my Lyman 49th manual for the marlin and Winchester I should be fine with the RG? I have a chrony if that helps.Ranch Dog wrote:Rossi's only obligation is to make the rifle function with factory ammo at the CIP or SAAMI spec. They, like other manufacturers, specifically mention that the use of handloaded ammo voids the warranty on the rifle.Quinc wrote: Now the question is what will the Rossi handle and why in the heck doesn't Rossi have this info readily available
I personally do not think so. Please remember that the RG is a 336 clone, not a 1895 clone. There is a lot less "meat" at the receiver where the barrel threads meet it. I have pressure trace tested the rifle at 35.0K PSI. From my measurements of the chambers of my various Marlins, the pressure trace work I have done with them, and a comparison of that against the Rio Grande, that is all I am comfortable shooting this rifle at.Quinc wrote:Can the Rossi handle 40k CUP?
As far as the Beartooth bullets go you might see if someone would send you a couple of samples. Oh that's not going to work. Let me see if I can find someone that will send me a couple to look at.
