Best Bang for Your Buck: 45/70

[geo57]

I just bought an H&R Handi-rifle in 45/70 from Dick's Sporting Goods for $199 plus tax. It has a hardwood stock and rifle sights. Initial accuracy with cast bullets has been vey encouraging. It's hard to imagine a better bang for the buck than that.

I owned and then stupidly sold an 1895 about 20 years ago. It was a fantastic rifle, but I don't hear good things about the new ones. I like the way the Henry loads from the tube like a 22 instead of a loading gate.

Pretty well said . This level of satisfaction is shared by many of us that own a .45-70 Handi. I've had mine for about 17 years. It has accounted for a lot of venison and countless hours of plinking enjoyment. It has never seen a factory loaded round.

 

[WonderDavid!]

Pretty well said . This level of satisfaction is shared by many of us that own a .45-70 Handi. I've had mine for about 17 years. It has accounted for a lot of venison and countless hours of plinking enjoyment. It has never seen a factory loaded round.

What's your best reload for it?

 

[geo57]

What's your best reload for it?

The first ten years or so I used a Rem. bulk 300 gr. JHP on top of 52.0 grs. of IMR 3031 . It was a super accurate load that ran about 1700 FPS and one that accounted for five whitetails , all of them broadside through and through shots. Until I switched away from it my only complaint with it was that it left quite a bit of powder residue in the bore that did not completely burn .
For the last seven years I've ran a bulk Rem. 405 gr. JSP on top of 32.0 grs. of IMR 4198. This loads runs right at 1350 FPS, nearly duplicating original 1873 ballistics . The reason that I switched bullets was that the prior 300 gr JHP failed to fully penetrate a large buck that I harvested one November that offered me only a quartering to me shot with the bullet stopping just under the far side hide. There was no blood trail for the 40 yards that he ran. Fortunately this was in fairly open country where a blood trail was not as important as it is in the thicker stuff that I often hunt in . I made my mind up from then on to use a projectile that pretty much guarantees an exit wound and easy to follow blood trail even if I have to shoot through a shoulder which I try to avoid if at all possible, which this 405 gr. load has proven to do on three deer that I have taken with this latter load. I switched to IMR 4198 for the latter load just because it burns completely leaving the bore with almost no visible powder residue. It is very acceptably accurate for the ranges I hunt with it though not quite as accurate as my first load . Both loads are quick deer stoppers.

 

[dprice3844444]

the 45/70 handi rifle equipped with the appropriate pad is a great, simple light rifle. easily cleaned and repaired. i have 2- 45/70s,a ruger #1 (I think)international 2-7 Nikon,and a 16.5 inch 1895 ss guide gun. Davidsons usually runs a special order of them towards the end of the year.

geo, how much space do you have left with the 3031 load.might think about some wadding to pack the powder tighter for better burn

 

[WonderDavid!]

Thanks, I got some 300 grain Oregon trail cast bullets. I'll try some 3031, 4198, and r7 with it, maybe some unique for plinking.

 

[WonderDavid!]

the 45/70 handi rifle equipped with the appropriate pad is a great, simple light rifle. easily cleaned and repaired. i have 2- 45/70s,a ruger #1 (I think)international 2-7 Nikon,and a 16.5 inch 1895 ss guide gun. Davidsons usually runs a special order of them towards the end of the year.

The handi rifle was handy (haha) for navigating through the thick brush this season. I ended up shooting a doe at 75 yards freestanding after getting out of the brush. Walked three miles through that thick stuff just to kill one in the open woods, but that's how hunting goes I reckon.

 

[Joshua M.]

Some of the remlins fit isn't great, but they always seem to shoot well. I personally like the Henry. They are a little heavier, but that equates to less recoil felt. A new Henry will run you $700...-Joshua

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I own a Marlin and an original Trapdoor in 45-70 and wouldn't want to be without either. The Marlin is quick and easy when hunting and with the 45-70 you can hunt anything in North America.

 

[Crockett12]

I've had two Marlin M-1895 rifles. One was an early model that unfortunately got stolen and the one I have now is a mid 80's model -- both were rifles. I dearly loved the first one and now dearly love the second. I feel they're quality firearms and it would be one of the last rifles I sold if I had to sell all my firearms.

Crockett12

 

[az_imuth]

1886 Browning

They're a little pricier, but if you can find one of the Browning 1886 rifles made in the eighties they have fantastic fit/finish. They don't have the tang safety or the rebounding hammer like the current Winchester 1886 models. Rock solid design made in carbine and rifle length.

 

[9mm+]

It was a fantastic rifle, but I don't hear good things about the new ones. I like the way the Henry loads from the tube like a 22 instead of a loading gate.

Well, crap! I just ordered a GBL for my son's birthday present and wasn't aware of bad press for the new 1895's...Can someone enlighten me please about the gripes??? Is it Remington quality control issues or something else?

 

[WonderDavid!]

They're a little pricier, but if you can find one of the Browning 1886 rifles made in the eighties they have fantastic fit/finish. They don't have the tang safety or the rebounding hammer like the current Winchester 1886 models. Rock solid design made in carbine and rifle length.

Thanks, always love pics of guns.

 

[suzukisam]

Well the biggest gripe is that they have been shipping numerous 45/70 rifles with cracked receivers if I recall there is a barrel timing issue. in trying to align the sights they are splitting the receivers and shipping them that way..fine have reported canted sights. I have a 90s model. I love mine.

 

[MistWolf]

The Marlin LTD III has proven to the be the best bang for my 45-70 buck
View attachment 716723

 

[WonderDavid!]

Well the biggest gripe is that they have been shipping numerous 45/70 rifles with cracked receivers if I recall there is a barrel timing issue. in trying to align the sights they are splitting the receivers and shipping them that way..fine have reported canted sights. I have a 90s model. I love mine.

I would buy mine used, preferably pre-Remington, and inspect it. It's strange that more than one brand would have the same QC problems though.

 

[WonderDavid!]

Thanks for the gun pic!

 

[9mm+]

Well, I've already ordered mine since my gun store didn't have the GBL in stock. I guess I should've researched the cracked receiver problem beforehand. Damn. I don't know if I can find a 90's model in time before his birthday. This is a major bummer...I'm so disappointed!

 

[WonderDavid!]

Well, I've already ordered mine since my gun store didn't have the GBL in stock. I guess I should've researched the cracked receiver problem beforehand. Damn. I don't know if I can find a 90's model in time before his birthday. This is a major bummer...I'm so disappointed!

That sucks man. You could get him a picture of one for his Bday with IOU written on it. lol

 

[9mm+]

That sucks man. You could get him a picture of one for his Bday with IOU written on it. lol

There may be some good news after all...I just called the shop and canceled my order. They're going to order a Henry in 45-70 instead. It's a bit more expensive, but it apparently doesn't have the Remlin quality problems. I would rather pay a bit more for something that will have quality out of the box. The Henry should arrive next week.

I'm kicking myself for not researching the 1895 receiver issue earlier. I'm so tempted to GO OFF on Remington (well, specifically The Freedom Group/Cerberus) for ruining the Marlin brand, but I won't...it's pointless in any case.

 

[WonderDavid!]

There may be some good news after all...I just called the shop and canceled my order. They're going to order a Henry in 45-70 instead. It's a bit more expensive, but it apparently doesn't have the Remlin quality problems. I would rather pay a bit more for something that will have quality out of the box. The Henry should arrive next week.

I'm kicking myself for not researching the 1895 receiver issue earlier. I'm so tempted to GO OFF on Remington for ruining the Marlin brand, but I won't...it's pointless in any case.

Good.

 

[9mm+]

My son really liked the big loop lever on the GBL, so I will likely pay to have Wild West Guns (or similar) put one on the Henry at a later date. Does anyone know how much they charge for a big loop?

**Update -- Henry actually sells them at $50, so I will order that now ***

 

[WonderDavid!]

Seems like a lot for a round peace of steel.

 

[115grfmj]

Pretty well said . This level of satisfaction is shared by many of us that own a .45-70 Handi. I've had mine for about 17 years. It has accounted for a lot of venison and countless hours of plinking enjoyment. It has never seen a factory loaded round.

Ditto on that. Picked up my first handi a few years ago, and have become a "Handi-holic" since. My 243 it sub moa, with off the shelf rem corelockts, dead simple (read not much can go wrong), and well.....handy. I have since acquired a 500S&W, and 20ga barrel. There is something about spending a day at the range or in the field with single shots....that makes it rewarding and relaxing....pure pleasure.

 

[9mm+]

Seems like a lot for a round peace of steel.

Yep! I agree. The ones from Wild West for the Marlin go for over a hundred, so the Henry loop is a "relative" bargain. Nonetheless, my son does a lot of deer hunting in the damp cold, so he often keeps his gloves on which gives the GBL a big advantage. It'll be a minor tweak we will try before the next deer season. He may be able to cycle the action with gloves on with no problem, so I may wait and see what his preference is.

 

[WonderDavid!]

Yep! I agree. The ones from Wild West for the Marlin go for over a hundred, so the Henry loop is a "relative" bargain. Nonetheless, my son does a lot of deer hunting in the damp cold, so he often keeps his gloves on which gives the GBL a big advantage. It'll be a minor tweak we will try before the next deer season. He may be able to cycle the action with gloves on with no problem, so I may wait and see what his preference is.

Yeah, I get why you'd want one. $100 bucks, man, I've bought guns for less than that.