Information on 45-70 lever guns

[TexasM1A]

Morning folks, I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with .45-70 chambered rifles. I am in the market for one but I truly know next to nothing about them. Most of the people I would normally go to for information regarding a firearm are in a the same boat as me, they have no knowledge of these firearms.

I have been searching the internet but have found few places/people that break down the pros and cons of the various models/manufacturers. I would like some thing that is competition legal, but competitive shooting is not the reason why I am going to purchase it.

Thanks much.

[csmusaret]

Ask Quigley.

[csmusaret]

http://www.shilohrifle.com/shop/product.php?productid=115

[montomike]

I had one...a Marlin.

It kicked like a mule...after shooting the five rounds, one in the chamber and four in reserve, one doesn’t want to shoot it for a while.

[762X51]

I just bailed off into the 45-70 world. Bought a stainless TC Encore Katahdin...20” bull barrel, very short overall, capable of killing anything on the planet. Not as violent as I suspected. Lots of gun choices in the chambering; single shot (Encore, Handi or Ruger No.1), lever action or even bolt guns (Siamese Mausers). The lever guns are popular but have some limitations like overall cartridge length must allow for the action to operate. It can be loaded up or down depending on your needs. It’s well over 100 years old and still around so there must be something admirable about it. It ain’t real cheap to shoot.

[Elderberry]

I have a Marlin 1895 with a Williams Foolproof peep sight. With the 45/70 you really need to reload to utilize the power capability of the rifle you have.

[SampleMan]

The origin of the .45-70 began as a US Army round after the War of Northern Aggression. It was developed from the .50-70 to achieve a flatter trajectory. It was of course black powder. It was used in a several rifles, the most common being the Trapdoor Springfield. Sporting rifles were also later chambered for it.

As a black powder (or equivalent pressure) load, it is most enemic by modern standards. WARNING: There are several “approved loadings” at various cup pressures and that care must be taken to avoid use modern loadings in older guns or you will get a grenade.

With modern smokeless loadings, the .45-70 is a capable round, but its not comparable to the big boy magnums. That said, the Hornady Leverevolution takes a 325gr bullet to 2050 fps, which is very respectable compared to the low pressure loads with a 405gr bullet at 1100 fps. All of that said, you are still going to have a rainbow trajectory that requires 2.5’ of hold over at 300yds.

[Arlis]

Why do you want an elephant killer? As others said, painful to shoot. .308, 30-06, or 300 Win Mag is all you need.....

Unless you just love lever action and hurting after shooting - which means shooting few rounds and rarely.....

[Farmer Dean]

I shot a Remington rolling block and Siamese mauser in .45-70.The Mauser will handle a 500 grain cast bullet at 1800fps.That load should kill about anything.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I once read that the .45-70 was used on buffalo and Indians.
You know what happened...

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Of course, if you have to shoot someone, make sure you blow them in two. </sarc>

[umgud]

I would like some thing that is competition legal, but competitive shooting is not the reason why I am going to purchase it.

So what is your reason for wanting it?

[RandallFlagg]

Hickok45 has some good YouTube videos about that caliber:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hickok45+45-70&oq=hickok45+45-70&gs_l=youtube.3..0.53769.58508.0.62684.10.9.0.1.1.0.65.516.9.9.0...0.0...1ac.1.YXIyWG-z30k

[snoringbear]

Only 2.5 feet at 300 yards? Surprising (to me) I would have guessed about twice that. Too lazy to google ballistics on this though. So, I’ll take your word for it :)

[Elderberry]

I have never noticed the recoil from my Marlin as being excessive. I load with 300gr. bullets for deer. The gun has a padded butt plate. Now if you imagine a need for 500 grain bullets. The Marlin’s twist is too slow and the cartridge length too long for the gun. And recoil goes up with bullet weight.

[TexasM1A]

Thanks for all of the responses, I do appreciate it especially about the pressures.
There is alot to learn about these firearms it appears.
It is going to be an interesting exercise.

Thanks.

[SampleMan]

Only 2.5 feet at 300 yards? Surprising (to me) I would have guessed about twice that. Too lazy to google ballistics on this though. So, I’ll take your word for it :)

That is in reference to the Hornady Leverevolution load, which has a spitzer tip and higher velocities. The standard loads have much more drop.

I have a couple of Trapdoors and getting low pressure ammunition for them is expensive. Reloading is also a trick, as low pressure loadings require much softer brass in order to seal the neck.

For a modern brush gun, I carry a Marlin .444.

[IMR 4350]

I believe that was a .45-120.

[csmusaret]

.45-110 but the 110 stood for 110 grains of black powder.

[TexasM1A]

Thanks for all of the responses, I do appreciate it especially about the pressures.
There is alot to learn about these firearms it appears.
It is going to be an interesting exercise.

Thanks.