Who's shooting a 45-70?

[A207X2]

I purchased a Henry Classic 45-70 side gate. It arrived and I've got some ammo inbound. To me it's such a classic rifle; one I've always wanted. Looking forward to shooting it soon. It got me thinking though, it's 150+ year old rifle, and the ballistics beyond 150 yards are iffy at best. However, my 1911 pistols are also over 100+ years old and they're wonderful.

So who's hunting with a 45-70?

 

[noharleyyet]

Couple Marlins...have not fired the Walnut 1895 yet

https://flic.kr/p/2jYP22Y

https://flic.kr/p/2mHRnTP

 

[nimrod_gn]

I have a Marlin 45/70. Haven't shot any game with it yet. Hoping to use it for UT bison when I draw tag

 

[QuazyQuinton]

I carried mine for all of Oregon coast elk 2nd season this year. Didn't shoot one, but it adds to the fun. A buddy and I are headed to Wyoming for a late cow season next month, and I'm trying to decide if I can work out a way to carry it in the sage there, too.

QQ

 

[A207X2]

Upcoming moose hunt in Canada. Outfitter tells me pretty much all shots are <300 yards, with most being much closer than that. Planning on taking my Browning BAR 30-06 for the hunt, but man, do I want to hunt with this. Just don't want to lose out on a 200+ yard bull though. Decisions, decisions. Regardless, I'm taking it as a backup gun.

 

[Salmonchaser]

I carried one every day of the summer for 20 years in Alaska

 

[David658]

If my Trapdoor Springfield counts....

 

[BrentD]

I've got 4 of them plus a .45-100 and a .45 muzzleloader that uses the same bullets. They do work.

I load them with black powder and paper patched bullets. They are easily 200 yd guns and can be further if you "do your part" (which is a bit more than necessary for modern rifles).

 

[SaskHunter]

I hunt with a 45-70. I use it for bear or rifle elk season up North where the cover is dense and shots short.

 

[Four22]

the ballistics beyond 150 yards are iffy at best.

Iffy at best?? Understanding the ballistics and you can be deadly WAAAY beyond 150. I used to shoot black powder cartridge competitively and could consistently hit a pie plate at 500 meters with iron sights.

My first mule deer was taken at 375 with said rifle with a tang sight. He never knew what hit him.

That cartridge killed thousands of Buffalo well beyond 150 yards.

Don’t underestimate it. It’s a hell of a round

 

[Oldskool67]

Shot a couple hogs with mine

 

[A207X2]

100 rounds arrived today, so maybe I'll take it out to the range and give it a go on the iron sites. I just ordered this but won't get here until next week:




With it I can add a scope. I'm planning on the Leupold VX-3HD 1.5-5X20 CDS-ZL ILLUM. FIREDOT TWILIGHT HUNTER




So now that you know the background, what would you recommend as ammo for it? I'm having a Terminator muzzle brake installed on it, so I'm not too concerned about recoil. I want a round that will stop a moose as well as stop a grizzly if necessary.

 

[BrentD]

100 rounds arrived today, so maybe I'll take it out to the range and give it a go on the iron sites. I just ordered this but won't get here until next week:


View attachment 206271

With it I can add a scope. I'm planning on the Leupold VX-3HD 1.5-5X20 CDS-ZL ILLUM. FIREDOT TWILIGHT HUNTER

View attachment 206270


So now that you know the background, what would you recommend as ammo for it? I'm having a Terminator muzzle brake installed on it, so I'm not too concerned about recoil. I want a round that will stop a moose as well as stop a grizzly if necessary.

70 grn of 2f and 410 grains of lead, every time.

Is it legal to use a scope on a lever gun that requires more than 50 characters to name?

 

[p_ham]

100 rounds arrived today, so maybe I'll take it out to the range and give it a go on the iron sites. I just ordered this but won't get here until next week:


View attachment 206271

With it I can add a scope. I'm planning on the Leupold VX-3HD 1.5-5X20 CDS-ZL ILLUM. FIREDOT TWILIGHT HUNTER

View attachment 206270


So now that you know the background, what would you recommend as ammo for it? I'm having a Terminator muzzle brake installed on it, so I'm not too concerned about recoil. I want a round that will stop a moose as well as stop a grizzly if necessary.

My Marlin always shot 405gr hard cast very well. My load was right around 1700fps.
Is that an octagon all the way or a half round?

 

[A207X2]

My Marlin always shot 405gr hard cast very well. My load was right around 1700fps.
Is that an octagon all the way or a half round?

No, it's a round barrel 0.723" in OD. Those aren't photos of my actual gun.

Here's the actual model (kinda). I just noticed that the muzzle on my actual rifle goes another 1.8" past the end of the reloading knob. My gunsmith will move the front sight back which will allow for him to thread the muzzle brake:




Here are actual photos showing the muzzle diffence:




And a closeup of the muzzle:



Oh, and those are fresh sheets!

 

[p_ham]

No, it's a round barrel 0.723" in OD.

Ok good. I was thinking an octagon with a brake...

 

[noharleyyet]

Hornady 325 FTX and Steinel 300 (Hornady JHP) both work well. I did reload some 325 Flex Tips but they did not outperform.

 

[p_ham]

I wish they would commit to the loading gate and get rid of that silly looking tube port.

 

[squirrel]

Slow 405's here (cast). Shoot through a 22" spruce log and well into a round bale of hay (3 for 3). Thankful llamas for that bale of hay that was there by accident.

 

[A207X2]

OK, so I'm getting that I can do 300 yards IF I DO MY JOB. The Leupold scope and the CDS system will give that distance. Now I gotta do my part. Thanks all!