My T/C 45-70 SSK 14" arrived today. Will wake up early tomorrow a.m., wraps my wrists and drive to the farm and awaken all of West Central Alabama. Hope I don't disturb our Cape Buffalo herd--or Coach Saban

Note: There will be no pictures 'til later--of the gun or the Cape Buffalo

Kingfish - congrats on the new thumper! What's gonna ride on top for optics? I'm assuming a T'SOB was ordered with that hammer...

what bullet /powder combo ya gonna use?

I recommend 2 aleve right after. lol have fun!

Very cool! Looking forward to seeing it!

Thanks, Dur! It actually has a Tasco Pro Series on now but the TSOB that ends up riding will probably be a Leupold VX-R or an Aimpoint. Really like that VX-R but want to shoot it more on the .454 before deciding on another. I know how the Aimpoint will hold up from my .500 & .460 days. I'll call you tomorrow if I can dial the #--looks like a bad boy!

Not a reloader, John. Gonna chunk some different grain Hornadys at the paper tomorrow and go from there. Got to sight in a 12 ga. slug gun tomorrow, too, so I might be icing in 24 hours--or drinkin'!

I like the 400 gr. Speer FN and 3031.

elwood, just kidding about the cape buff. Still have too much to seek on this side of the water. Just got a good deal on this gun so I took it. Moose, bear and elk are possibilities, although I already have several thumpers in the safe to take care of those. Anyway, congrats on your impressive kill and thanks for sharing. I will try the Corbons,too! (that should finish off the Tasco Pro Series)

Congrats on the new barrel. Its one of my favorite rounds. I have three .45-70 handgun barrels (12" SSK Contender, 14" Hunter Contender and 12" Encore). I know you said you don't reload but this is one round/barrel where it definitely pays off. All three of mine are very accurate with 300 grain bullets and H4198. H4198 (NOT IMR4198) gives high velocities with low pressures and excellent accuracy in the .45-70. The one ported barrel (Hunter) get 1890 fps while the other 2 average 1910 fps. These are Trapdoor loads using Hodgdon data. The load I use is about halfway between the min and max charges listed. I have not found a factory load that gives the accuracy of this powder/bullet combo. I have recently began playing with 405 gr bullets but don't have a load I'm happy with yet.

Pab, thanks for the info, but if I have to reload to achieve accuracy, I will just sell it. By the way, mine is an SSK 14" ported Contender. Now if my pasture/range would just dry out--we have had downpours here last few days with over 2" yesterday--so I can shoot the damn thing. Too wet early this morning.

I'm sure you will find an accurate factory load for it. I have not shot many factory rounds through my barrels since I reload. I wanted more accuracy and velocity than I got with the factory ammo I did shoot. The factory loads I shot were at least "minute of deer" at 100 yards and accurate enough to hunt with. With handloads all three barrels will group under 2" at that range. Don't let my post discourage you, I'm sure you'll find factory loads it likes.

[quote=kingfisher] if I have to reload to achieve accuracy, I will just sell it. By the way, mine is an SSK 14" ported Contender. /quote]

Kingfish, in typical selfless fashion, I'll spare you the pain, recoil, and cost associated with finding the right load - how's $100 sound to take that tent stake off your hands?

For deer, I highly recommend the Hornady 350 gr. FP Interlock. Less recoil, more user friendly. Shot a very large doe with it in past. Dead centered rectum. Perfect mushroomed bullet under hide at chest. 3+ feet of penetration.

Dur, remember...I am a BAMA guy--not an aubbie. But let me think about the offer. Think you could throw in a grunt call?

I have some Hornady Leverlution 325 gr. but will definitely try to find Interlocks. Care to reload some for me? Thanks!

I have 2 45-70's as well for my contender. I have one with a scope and one with iron sights. I shoot the plain factory 300 grain hollow points. I stay away from the Remington brand because it opens too fast. I do not care for the leverevolution rounds because they have a little more kick and do not open up very well. The winchester and federal rounds are preferred. I think the 45-70 is a sleeper round in the contender. It does not get the attention some of the other rounds get. I have killed a several deer with them and had only perfect results.

Thanks, DeerDad. Will try those rounds you mentioned. Hopefully will get to shoot tomorrow.