Why does this thing exist?

[John S.]

I'm a collector, not a shooter or gunsmith, so this is my opinion, not expert advice.

At this point any further attempts to shoot this seem to be heading in an unsafe direction, especially with anything stronger than 70 grains of black powder. Perhaps it would be a marginally safe, fun shooter with carbine (.45-55-405) loads. neck sizing the fired cases only.

Putting more money into this seems like a total waste of money to me. It is an okay wall hanger as is. Consider that you bought an education with this one and do more research before buying the next one, and then you might have a good option for shooting as a .45-70. If you want something more than .45-70 best find a Sharps or Remington.

Better safe than deceased.

[localfiend]

I do not know how much expansion you are comfortable with, but, since this rifle is unique, the cases will "fire-form" to it, and you'll only need to neck size from now on, thus not repetitively 'working' the thicker/stronger rear of the case.

To answer your other question, yes, .45-70 and .50-70 barrels DO have different external diameters.

Good to know on barrel diameter. Thos will likely need to stay 45 then whatever I do.

I think this amount of expansion is probably too much. No personal experience, but the brass still has a lot more room to expand, and it already looks bad.

I'm a collector, not a shooter or gunsmith, so this is my opinion, not expert advice.

At this point any further attempts to shoot this seem to be heading in an unsafe direction, especially with anything stronger than 70 grains of black powder. Perhaps it would be a marginally safe, fun shooter with carbine (.45-55-405) loads. neck sizing the fired cases only.

Putting more money into this seems like a total waste of money to me. It is an okay wall hanger as is. Consider that you bought an education with this one and do more research before buying the next one, and then you might have a good option for shooting as a .45-70. If you want something more than .45-70 best find a Sharps or Remington.

Better safe than deceased.

Could go with much lighter loads and see if the brass even expands. Not sure that pressure would be much lower. Maybe with a longy slightly compressable wad.

I'm more of a shooter than a collector. I seek out stuff I won't feel bad about firing more than something to hang on the wall. Also not sure how I feel about holding onto something that isn't safe to shoot, and I certainly wouldn't want to sell it. Don't need someone blowing themselves up in the future.

This thing as it sits would probaly do worse with a modern 45-70
round than a normal trap door. Makes me want to fix it, even if that's not cheap to do.

I'll do some more research, try and figure out what the various options are. I'd imagine the gun could probably be rechambered by shortening the length a tad from the breech end.

If that's not feasable, then relining wouldn't be the end of the world. I'd have a gun that could be shot on occasion for the next 160 years.

I do plan to eventually get a sharps or remington for a big gun. Maybe both. Probably some more trapdoors as well.

[Dick Hosmer]

Yes, better safe than sorry - I misinterpreted your statement - I thought the case had expanded to be a fit for the chamber, and that had you worried. If the case is visibly ugly and STILL has room to go, then I'd definitely stop!