Best 45-70 gun

[B.A.M.F]

I am looking into a new gun in 45-70. i am really interested in the marlin 1895's but also like the idea of a ruger no 1. it will be used for deer, bear and probably cape buffulo. Any suggestions on which to choose and why?

 

[R.W.Dale]

probably cape buffulo

You're joking right! I don't care what gun writer did it 47-70 on dangerous African game is a STUNT


http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,2428.0.html

I'm regularly amazed at the somewhat religious following some of these 45/70 people seem to get into. It's as if when you buy one all your common sense and logic magically leaves your brain. This is fact and you can either come out of the trance your in and buy it, or reamain ostrich like with your head in the sand. The 45/70 is not a dangerous game rifle and does not have the needed power to be used on the bigger game in Africa in any kind of hunt other then a novelty or stunt.

One last comment don't think for a second that a 45/70 that kills an American Bison would make it good for cape buffalo. The two animals are not in the same league where danger, and the will to live are concerned. comparing a Bison and a cape buffalo is about like comparing a 45/70 to a 416 rigby!

This from an African guide

 

[B.A.M.F]

Thanks for that post. i am a relativly new hunter and wanted either a big game and wanted a big game lever gun capable of bear. and after hearing about that guy who used the garrett loads to take the dangerous six, i had thought that it would be suitable for bear if useing heavily loaded 500 grain quality bullets. I did some research and it was actually banteeng of australia not cape buffulo. I will diffently need to rethink a caliber and guns selection for that gun.

 

[Quintin Likely]

A friend of mine has an 1895 in .45-70 that he/we're gonna use for wild boar. It's a neat rifle, I plan on buying one myself. I don't know if I'd feel good using it on dangerous game though.

 

[GunNut]

Ruger No.1 would be a great option, unless you are talking big game defense then go with one of the Marlin lever actions.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I would not hesitate to use my 1895G on cape buffalo. One of the gunwriters used his on a big bull and not only killed the bull but an unseen cow behind him as well. With one bullet. Hell my dream hunt is to bowhunt cape buffalo. A 45-70 is a cannon compared to a bow.

Here is a pic of my guidegun. It is topped with a 1.75-4.5x scope and also has a lyman 66 I keep with mr for backup should the scope ever fail while on a hunt.

 

[Cosmoline]

This ain't your grandpa's .45-70! The modern round should be called a .45-70 Magnum. With hardcast slugs and smokeless powder it's a perfectly viable close range cartridge for all dangerous game with the possible exception of elephant. The ballistics are very sound, with both enormous deposit of energy and extremely impressive penetration. There are PH's over there who will poo-poo it, but it has already proven itself a world class cartridge.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/lupo2.asp

If you want to shoot the magnum class, I'd stay clear of a No. 1. I had one for awhile but with Buffs and Garretts it beat me very hard. I was literally bruised from it. The 1895G was slightly better, but if I were gearing up for it again I'd get a full size 1895 or even one of the long bore versions they've come out with.

 

[Leanwolf]

The Marlin .45-70 is a standard rifle toted by many people in Alaska, who bust the boonies out where there are Grizzlies and Brown bears. They seem to think they are just fine for same.

I have talked with Brian Pearce -- mentioned above, shooting through a Cape buff and killing another behind it he didn't see -- and he told me that the buff went down without any problem.

A charging Cape buff??? I don't know. I have not "been there and done that."

L.W.

 

[B.A.M.F]

I was looking at the marlin guide guns. How loud are they because of the ports. i can take recoil but it is the noise that gets me to flinch. as I shoot a 7 rem mag and it provides a little discomfort as a noise factor. i was looking at the 1895 cowboys with the 26" barrell. If the noise level is not that bad i will probably get one

 

[tbtrout]

Not to mention if you handload a 500 gr tungsten steel bullet is availible for deep penetration. I seem to think if blackpowder and lead cartridges killed buffalo, then the modern loads in a Ruger #1 or a TC Encore can do the job in Africa.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I was looking at the marlin guide guns. How loud are they because of the ports. i can take recoil but it is the noise that gets me to flinch. as I shoot a 7 rem mag and it provides a little discomfort as a noise factor. i was looking at the 1895 cowboys with the 26" barrell. If the noise level is not that bad i will probably get one


Don't worry about the ports, the new ones are not ported they quit it several years ago.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I just bought an 1895GS last year before deer season and I am VERY happy with the rifle.

I recently added a scope and ghost ring sights.

And as mentioned, no ports.

I recommend the Marlin as a well built rifle and because of the aftermarket things available.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

Just FYI....the garrett ammo outpenetrates the .458 Win Mag. I doubt anybody would call that "a little light for cape buffalo". Pushing hardcast lead slugs of 500 grains or more at respectable velocities will def get the job done IMO.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Just FYI....the garrett ammo outpenetrates the .458 Win Mag. I doubt anybody would call that "a little light for cape buffalo". Pushing hardcast lead slugs of 500 grains or more at respectable velocities will def get the job done IMO.

How exactly does a 500 grain chunk of lead moving almost 500fps SLOWER compare to a 500grn state of the art TBBC or or Barns-X with over 2000 Ft lbs more energy


This compared to .458 WM a cartridge considered at one time to be too light, only with the advent of modern bullet technology has it moved beyond this stigma.


A 30-30 would probably do just fine on big bears, But someone else can try it!

 

[LT.Diver]

Danderous game

My buddies who hunt Africa tell me that the guides they use would not allow anything less than a 375 H&H on dangerous game.
As for other uses I have a 1885 high-wall in 45-70 and it shoots beautifully.

 

[trueblue1776]

In love with the Ruger No. 1 in .45-70

P.S. Buffalo Bore Ammo is the shizzz for .45-70

 

[byf43]

I've got both the 1895G and the 1895CB.

Buffalo Bore ammo should take anything you want, on the North American continent.
Africa. . . . don't know. Garrett's stuff should do it if Buffalo Bore doesn't.

 

[cheygriz]

Standard 1895 Marlin. As good as it gets.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

While probably not the "best", and certainly not a rifle I'd choose for dangerous game, you may want to check out the H&R Buffalo Classic:



http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/buffalo.aspx

http://www.impactguns.com/store/736008018715.html

 

[Onmilo]

I own four .45/70 caliber rifles right now and have owned many others over the years of various types.
In my eyes the very best rifle I have ever owned in this caliber, and still do as a matter of fact, it is the Winchester 1886 lightweight rifle.
Not too long, not too heavy, and it won't blind you with flame and is just as strong or even stronger in action the the Marlin 95 Guide Gun.
Add a side mounted or bolt mounted apeture sight and you will have a serious heavy game short range rifle. (Short range rifle=250 meter shooting maximum.)

 

[B.A.M.F]

Haven't these winchesters stopped production. I was looking into these but when i even mention winchester at my local gun shops they just say "no longer produced". They are definitely seem like a good gun.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Don't forget the XLR. Everything the standard 1895 is, but stainless/laminate. Plus, a bit more bbl for a little extra oomph. I love being able to hunt in the rain all day and not have to worry about doing a detail strip/oil wipe down that night.

 

[Onmilo]

You have to spend some time looking on the used gun market for an 86 lightweight and it won't be cheap, good things rarely are and it is money spent you won't regret.

 

[bowfin]

/*How loud are they because of the ports. i can take recoil but it is the noise that gets me to flinch. as I shoot a 7 rem mag and it provides a little discomfort as a noise factor*/

Please tell us that you aren't shooting these rifles without hearing protection! No use getting all geared up for buffalo and then getting stomped into jelly because you were too deaf to here one coming for you. Always wear hearing protection at the range or during practice...ALWAYS!!

As for the .45-70, I believe many reloading books show three power levels for that cartridge:

1. Trapdoor Springfield pressures
2. Lever gun pressures, as in the Marlin
3. Siamese Mauser & Ruger Number One

Anyone who would use a .375 Holland & Holland for the Cape Buffalo or the various Asiatic buffalo shouldn't have any reseervations using the Ruger Number One with the .45-70 loaded up to its potential in that rifle.

Factory loads, however, should give one pause to reflect, as they are loaded mild enough to be safe in the Trapdoors of 130 years ago...

 

[BlkHawk73]

My suggestion if cape buffalo are involved, buya Ruger #1H in .458 Win mag and handload down to 45-70 levels for American game. You'll still have planty if you need in the .458 loads for anything that walks.