If I want to work up some loads for my Encore with a .45-70 barrel, should I follow the pressure limits for a modern lever gun or the Ruger No.1?

Thanks

Why would you want to subject yourself to that punishment? Your Encore will take it. But why? Load a good 405 grain pill(cast it yourself) up to about 1600 fps. You should not have any leading problem at this velocity. This is still a stout load, but not a killer on both ends. But it is truly a killer on the other end. I like 2400 and RL 7. But mygo to is BP. Just fill up the case and lop off the excesswith a butter knife. Seat the bullet-no need for a crimp in the Encore. And let her rip. The Encore is excellent-I repeat excellent for BP loads. Tom.

Just wondering what kind of performance I can get from a 350 grain Barnes X out to 250 yards.

Why you ask? Why not?

Well OK if you insist. I only ask why because I have shot alot of stout 45-70 loads and they do kick. Also I have not found any advantage in a load over 1600 fps. I also cast my own, so 1600 is a good ceiling. No matter what velocity, you have to know your rifle. That is the fun of a 45-70.

I mean no disrespect, but I can not see any advantage of a Barnes bullet over a cast and/or swaged lead bullet. Especialy if the lead is a little hard. You are not going to get alot of expansion out of any of the bullets-unless you shoot pure lead around 1400 fps. Tom.

That's cool. What stout loads have you shot? I sparingly shoot the Win Supreme 300gr PG's which are supposed to leave the barrel around 1880fps. I do not mind the kick of those at all. I just can't find them anymore and don't want to use them all at the range.

The only other high velocity loads I can find are Buffalo and Garrett which are much more than I need or want to spend. They are also all flat or round nosed bullets. I was wondering what boost in trajectory I could get with a spitzer style bullet. One problem I have is I am using a friend's reloading equipment because I don't have my own so experimentation is limited.

I also have a Marlin 1895 for shooting mild cowboy loads when I want to.

If you want to push the limit then go with a 500 grain Postell bullet. They are a pointed design, made for long range work. I have shot some stout 405's that were cast from 80%lead and 20%linotype that were spitting out at 2200 fps. They would really rock you. I think I know what you are trying to do. Problem is with a 45-70 it really does not work. There is no replacement for lots of practice. You can not take the arch out of the trajectory, no matter what you do. Tom.

I would like to take it on an Elk hunt and wanted to see if I could flatten out the arch in case I got a 200-250 yard shot opportunity. I understand that practice is essential, just trying to limit one of the variables.

In my .45-70, I load the Barnes X to about 2,000 fps for elk. It is a real "high performance" load for large game and I don't find the recoil to be muchdifferent than a magnum muzzleloader. I think you are on the right track here. Effective range of a load like this is out around 250 yards. The Barnes X bullets will still expand well, and are about the most lethal big bullet design I have seen.