[csmusaret]

Ask Quigley.

[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.....

[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

[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.

[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.

[posse rider]

I’ve been hunting with a 45-70 for about a dozen years. I have a Marlin guide gun that I bought when they first came out. I had the factory replace the ported barrel with a non-ported one, the porting was too loud for me. I’m not adverse to recoil, but did put a decerlerator butt pad on. I hand load, from light 405 grain lead around 1100 fps to 350 grain jacketed soft nose at about 1900 fps. I really like the lever evolution load it has amazingly flat trajectory for a huge bullet. Save those cases, though, they are about 0.1” shorter than saami specs, to make room for the flex tip.

It’s a handy easy to carry gun. I put a Trijicon 1.25 x 4 scope on it, the green dot on the cross hair is easy for my aging eyes to pick up. I’ve taken deer at 250 yards, it drops ‘em like a bag of rocks.

If you can, find a buddy to let you shoot one, I think you’ll like it.

[Patriot365]

Made in America.

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-45-70.cfm

[Colorado Doug]

Check with Piers Morgan. He knows all about such things. I’m pretty sure that it’s an assault rifle though since it doesn’t use flint to initiate the powder.

[TNoldman]

ping answer later.

[yarddog]

I had one made up on a Siamese Mauser action. The gunsmith reworked the action for better feeding and installed a Shaw barrel. To save money he used the original stock.

Like others have said, it kicked like a mule and I am not particularly sensitive to recoil. It might have been partly due to the stock but I ended up selling it after a short time.

[Lees Swrd]

This is a hell of a round you just have a learning curve in shooting it, its like lobbing a punkin. I shoot mine out to 500 to 600 yards and regularly hit my targets yep lots of hold over but it goes straight I think you could shoot it through a tornado and hit your target lol.

Ammo is a bit pricy but once you get your brass you can reload them forever! If you want a round with lots pf punch and goes straight try a 454 casull that dang round about broke my shoulder wasn’t expecting that in a pistol cartridge!

NEF makes some great break down single shots and reasonably priced just go to their web site Marlins are great guns also but a bit pricey...

[mnehring]

Unsure on the rifle front but I have a friend who has a 45-70 revolver for sale and that sucker will dislocate your arm if you aren’t holding it securely.

[Terry L Smith]

Here is something ‘45-70’ related:

“The Sandy Hook Tests of 1879”, Sandy Hook, Long Island, NY, pre-bloomberg and Cuomo, of course!

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/45-70-govt/13422-45-70-two-miles-sandy-hook-tests-1879-a.html

This is reason enough to own a 45-70!

[Moltke]

in the same boat as me

I see you're planning ahead. Good. Very good.