CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Well, sometimes what's posted on the website is not accurate. It wasn't "fact" for me until I looked down the bore of one.
45/70 worth it?
- Thread starter Csinn
- Start date
Ruger had stated it would be 1:20. And it was on the spec sheet and a number of write ups. And I too had looked down the bore
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I know but I just don't trust websites, articles or forums when it comes to changes to .44/.45 levergun twist rates. Don't wanna get my hopes up for nuthin'.Ruger had stated it would be 1:20. And it was on the spec sheet and a number of write ups. And I too had looked down the bore
WVGunman
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*sigh* This thread makes me wistful. I too have been converted to the joy of lever guns and shooting rounds the same diameter as my fingers. Alas, money constraints mean I will probably never do better than my Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum. A man can dream though. A man can dream. 
When mean things are about in the woods dark and deep, this is what comforts me:*sigh* This thread makes me wistful. I too have been converted to the joy of lever guns and shooting rounds the same diameter as my fingers. Alas, money constraints mean I will probably never do better than my Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum. A man can dream though. A man can dream.
Ain't no scrawny .44 Magnum or .45 Colt pop gun
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OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
Yes, whether a single shot or lever. Always a joy. (unless: "come to Jessus" loads). Wesson and Richardson (H&R 1871), Springfield Trapdoor, Marlin LTD IV, Ruger #3, Rem-Lin, all fun and easy to load for.
Snidely70431
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Basically. with a 45-70, if you can hit it, you can kill it. With a relatively low muzzle velocity and rainbow trajectory, the maximum hunting range is on the order of 200 yards, and the Army figured the maximum range on individual targets was about 600 yards. However, the 500 grain projectile is lethal out past 3500 yards.
.45-70 at Two Miles: The Sandy Hook Tests of 1879
The Sandy Hook Tests of 1879. U.S. long range rifle fire with the Springfield and Martini-Henry rifle.
.45-70 - Wikipedia
Charlie98
Member
It's interesting seeing the comments here about the .45-70... it's truly a versatile cartridge capable of plinking, bashing steel, or hunting T-Rex.
I haven't shot that far, but I 'killed' some steel at 1244yds with my Pedersoli. It's pretty amazing how easy it is to hit at that distance once you get dialed in... and that using 1800's technology peep sights. No lazer, no muzzle brake, no collapsible stock, no free-floated barrel.... and no ACOG.
I haven't shot that far, but I 'killed' some steel at 1244yds with my Pedersoli. It's pretty amazing how easy it is to hit at that distance once you get dialed in... and that using 1800's technology peep sights. No lazer, no muzzle brake, no collapsible stock, no free-floated barrel.... and no ACOG.
troy fairweather
Member
The 45-70 is Quiet Versatile, one time my buddy have me a few blister packs of 45 cal power belts, think they were 165 grains and were discontinued and to light for what any of use liked using in are muzzleloaders. So one day I loaded 10 in 45-70 brass and 12-15 grains of trail boss, did it for laughs and it wouldn't hurt anything in my Siamese anyway.
My buddy was joking the hole day about them until I shotem. Fist shot hit paper at 50 yards to my amazement, next was touching the first. The dang things shot amazing, then we wondered what speeds they were going but no chronograph that dag. Found a 4x4 about 15" long in the wood pile that was next to his saw mill and shot it. The wood shattered sending pieces all over, could see the bullet path on one piece and it looked to have Penetrated the wood.
shot a few after I pulled the tip out of the power belt and they exploded down range so they must have been moving pretty quick, i have shot power belts with open tips using 150 grain charge from muzzleloaders and they never blew up. Loaded the rest when I got home and shot them the need week, was hoping a woodchuck would have stepped out on the range that day I thought they would make for a good varmint round lol.
My buddy was joking the hole day about them until I shotem. Fist shot hit paper at 50 yards to my amazement, next was touching the first. The dang things shot amazing, then we wondered what speeds they were going but no chronograph that dag. Found a 4x4 about 15" long in the wood pile that was next to his saw mill and shot it. The wood shattered sending pieces all over, could see the bullet path on one piece and it looked to have Penetrated the wood.
shot a few after I pulled the tip out of the power belt and they exploded down range so they must have been moving pretty quick, i have shot power belts with open tips using 150 grain charge from muzzleloaders and they never blew up. Loaded the rest when I got home and shot them the need week, was hoping a woodchuck would have stepped out on the range that day I thought they would make for a good varmint round lol.
dieselchief
Member
just finished up loading some 500 grain 45 70 for tomorrows gong shoot. the 405 do the 200 and the 300 but the 500 ones shine at the 600 yard line. (pedersoli/uberti 74 sharps).
Depends on how you define "worth it". My first lever was a Browning BLR 308 Win. I use it where bottleneck cartridges are allowed. Said differently, it can't be used where only straight wall cartridges are allowed. So, I have a Marlin 1895 Trapper 45-70. Therefore it's "worth it" to me. Having said that, even if it's not for hunting I still think it's worth it. I'm biased though because I like shooting a variety of guns.
1879 Model Springfield Trapdoor 45-70. Purchased from Bannermans' before the turn of the last century for $7.50. Sat in the saddle room of my Grand Dad's homestead barn for 47 years, another 20 in my Dad's closet
When my folks retired and moved to town, I quit the Highway Patrol and moved back to the ranch.
I found it and it was in bad shape.. I found an unfired rifle barrel and sporter stock and went to work. Turned out to be a poor man's Officer Model.
Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope and all kinds of pests have fallen to this old timer.
Both my wife and I have hit a full sized Buffalo silhouette at a 1000 yards. Duplex load of black powder, 530 grain paper patch bullets.
I have a group of 3 of those bullets that welded themselves together in a dirt bank after one hole in paper target at a 100 yards.
It's my favorite rifle.
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OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
that is an awesome piece of history! We all should be so blessed
Thanks for your service as a patrolman.
I went into the US ARMY RESERVES, and trained as a military policeman, and was so designated. But at the time I was 18 years old and no one would hire a kid that age as a cop,
So I transferred into the full time US COAST GUARD, and became a smokie of the sea. That was what we called ourselves back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Most folks don't know that a COAST GUARD PETTY OFFICER in the performance of duty is authorized to hold and arrest someone, but only in the performance of his duty.
I can still remember younger folks saying I did not come into the COAST GUARD to be a cop, I just wanted to save lives. Well, we do both.
I retired after 20 years,
Thanks for your service as a patrolman.
I went into the US ARMY RESERVES, and trained as a military policeman, and was so designated. But at the time I was 18 years old and no one would hire a kid that age as a cop,
So I transferred into the full time US COAST GUARD, and became a smokie of the sea. That was what we called ourselves back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Most folks don't know that a COAST GUARD PETTY OFFICER in the performance of duty is authorized to hold and arrest someone, but only in the performance of his duty.
I can still remember younger folks saying I did not come into the COAST GUARD to be a cop, I just wanted to save lives. Well, we do both.
I retired after 20 years,
tactikel
Member
A good friend in Wisconsin got a Marlin Guide gun in.45-70 for bear. He won’t reload and constantly complains about it’s recoil, shoots 20 rounds per year. If you will reload it can be a fun comb.
OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
I had one of those and now with the Henry all weather, with the loading gate, 18.5 inch barrel only thing is I wish they would port it, cause when you load it up for bear or any thing that bites back, , it kinda bites on both ends
I have always enjoyed the 45-70, can load it down to almost 45 colt or 454 levels or hot load it with garrett and buffalo bore bullets and will take anything on the planet, maybe even a T REX if anyone is foolish enough to try and bring them back
I have read some of the loads even shot length wise through a rhino and hippo, that is an extreme amount of penetration.
One man even killed a bull cape buffalo, and a cow standing on the off side they did not see
I have always enjoyed the 45-70, can load it down to almost 45 colt or 454 levels or hot load it with garrett and buffalo bore bullets and will take anything on the planet, maybe even a T REX if anyone is foolish enough to try and bring them back
I have read some of the loads even shot length wise through a rhino and hippo, that is an extreme amount of penetration.
One man even killed a bull cape buffalo, and a cow standing on the off side they did not see
I would not recommend porting. I do have the muzzle brake from RPP and it does work and the good thing it is removable.
I am not sure how porting a chromed rifle would work, it might cause the chrome to peel. Perhaps not. But the amount of noise back at the shooter and everyone around negates the reduction in recoil. I suppose if the rifle were intended ONLY for heavy loads specifically for dangerous animal protection then porting might be useful to that purpose to reduce some recoil and muzzle rise.
I am not sure how porting a chromed rifle would work, it might cause the chrome to peel. Perhaps not. But the amount of noise back at the shooter and everyone around negates the reduction in recoil. I suppose if the rifle were intended ONLY for heavy loads specifically for dangerous animal protection then porting might be useful to that purpose to reduce some recoil and muzzle rise.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
My standard response when asked about porting, which is usually in relation to a revolver, is that I'd rather smack myself with a hammer than have a ported sixgun. Larry Kelly is a legend and Ken seems like a good guy too but I'd never send them a gun for poking holes in the barrel. My lone .45/70 is the 22" 1895SS model but I also have a Winchester 1895 .405WCF with a steel buttplate and a CZ .416Rigby. I wouldn't port any of them. I do run a comp on some of my AR's but that's a different story.
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OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
Not sure either, and have to admit have never had a rifle with porting done, and have talked to people that do, some regret doing it, others love it.
I guess if you John Wayned it with one hand it would help, but I am not that tall, so I either shoot from the hip , or from the shoulder, as you should with a rifle.
I guess if you John Wayned it with one hand it would help, but I am not that tall, so I either shoot from the hip , or from the shoulder, as you should with a rifle.
OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
I have had a Marlin GUIDE GUN, and now this Henry all weather with the 18.5 inch barrel, and am not recoil sensitive as some are, and I shot some reloads, and factory ammo, at 100 yards
5 rounds of each, and at 100 yards at two targets, the five shots were around the heart and all were touching. I was shooting from the bench, so had a good firm hold, and a great sight picture.
I was shooting at human picture targets. I figured not bad for an old man! Am 72 years old
5 rounds of each, and at 100 yards at two targets, the five shots were around the heart and all were touching. I was shooting from the bench, so had a good firm hold, and a great sight picture.
I was shooting at human picture targets. I figured not bad for an old man! Am 72 years old
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
For all you, thinking about a 45-70 whatever. STOP, its NO fun! You don't want the earth-shaking recoil and babies on the street crying at your visage after shooting the beast. I'll save you from yourselves. Just let me know where the beasts are and i'll remove your temptation. I do this for my fellow gun brothers to save you. Regards to all, especially the ones that give me the 411. lol
silicosys4
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My Browning 1886 and my first .45-70. I was on the fence about the .45-70 for a long time but they are a joy to handle and shoot.
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Snidely70431
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The only cartridge I know of that's easier to reload than a 45-70 is the 50-70 Government, but then I pour my own projectiles .012 under size and paper patch them, them waterproof/lubricate them with a mixture of beeswax, petroleum jelly and graphite. I shoot the 50 caliber projectiles out of an old Navy marked rolling block and some .50 muzzleloaders, and the 45-70's out of a variety of single shots - what can I say, I'm a sucker for single shots. When fired backed by smokeless, the paper patched projectiles polish the barrels to a mirror-like finish.I might would consider him to be both a hard head and a wussie
OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
I would love to learn to paper patch, with the 45-70. Is there any instructions on how to do that, and I would assume that means using cast bullets, and undersizing them. Is it possible to use regular bullets and paper patch them, or buying cast bullets to use that have already been sized. Is there an instruction book to learn to paper patch bullets. I have read that prior to 1910 all companies sold paper patched bullets that had been loaded at the factories. I guess all those folks passed away, and they got away from that. I have also read they were really accurate.
