45/70 Bolt Action Thunder Boomer !!!

[GeorgiaDave]

Hello from Georgia,

   I have recently acquired a 45/70 rifle built on a Mauser action and barrelled with a Navy Arms barrel. This rifle has been built well and shoots good. I reloaded some 405 jacketed bullets near max load and found that it does indeed need a recoil pad. I understand that this was a popular conversion some time ago and would like to know if anyone else has one of these rifles.  Being kinda new to the whole 45/70 craze, I am still learning the ins and outs, but with this rifle able to consistantly hit an 8 inch steel plate at 300 yards I feel that it is well suited for deer and coyote hunting. Sure, sure, sure I know that this is not a popular varmint cartridge but I am sure that it will eventually catch on. With the terminal ballistics available from a 405 gr. bullet, I would not hesitate using it on any game in North America. I am even considering acquiring one of those cool BFR's in 45/70 to have a matching sidearm. God Bless and shoot safe.

Dave 

[Lone Star]

I built mine in 1976.  Bought the M98 whole, sent the barreled action to Federal Arms for rebarreling and action work, stocked it myself with a Fagen classic stock, drilled and mounted a Weaver 3X scope.  It was my primary rifle in Alaska for a decade, took deer, caribou, moose and brownies.  Longest shot was 225 yards on a standing deer on Kodiak.  The deer was facing me and the 300-grain Hornady entered the base of the neck and was found under the skin in a ham.  I used the 300 and 350-grain Hornady bullets exclusively with perfect performance.  Complete penetration with the 350s on everything, brownies and moose included.  This bullet is designed for high velocity and is a better choice for large game than the 400 or 405-grain bullets.  These are designed for much lower velocities and don't give the penetration of the 350s (I include the Speer 350 here as well).  I consistently got 1-moa 3-shot groups with the 350s over IMR4198.  The 300s shot almost as well.


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