45-70 LeverEvolution survey

[A.J.]

I just bought my first 1895, and it's in the mail as I write this. It's an older model just like Swampman's with the 22" round barrel and straight stock. I've been browsing on this site, and pricing ammo on the 'net and made a startling discovery. This LeverEvolution ammo I've been hearing so much about seems to be about the least expensive ammo on the market. If Hornady puts it out, I'm sure it's premium ammo. It looks to me to be the perfect everyday deer hunting ammo for a non-reloader like me. I'd use it for up to and maybe a little beyond 200 yards for deer sized game. I'd searched on here, but never found a thread dedicated to the 45-70 LeverEvolution load. I'd really appreciate it if you 1895 vets who have used this stuff would tell me what you think of it, accuracy wise and performance wise. I'd also apprecite it if you gave me some web-sites that had good prices on  ammo. I heard good things about the PMC +P ammo, but can't find a dealer. Thanks guys.

[Old Grizz]

Hi AJ,
I see everyone jumped right on to answer this question. I have used the Hornady LE ammo in 30-30, .44 mag, .444 and the 45-70 with great results. When I first purchased the 45-70 ammo my 1895G was sighted in with Remington 405gr. When I fired the LE ammo at 100 yds my shots were about 5" to 6" high over the Remington ammo with nice neet little cloverleaf patterens on the target. I found this to be true to all the new LE ammo that I have used. Some guns and people don't care for this ammo, but I think most will agree with me, that it's a fine ammo for the money.

[victorcharlie]

I haven't fired any LE as I hand load, but my co-worker has shot some pretty good groups with it while sitting at the bench next to me.

Of the factory rounds I've shot, Remington 300 grain corelocts shoot very good out of my rifle.

I have shot a fair number of PMC +p+ and it shoots very well also.

I haven't seen PMC on the shelf in quite awhile, and heard they either filed chapter 11 or 13.....they may be out of business?

[Smokin Joe]

It looks like PMC is still up and running. They supposedly merged with Poongsan Corporation of Korea.
 
The dealer locater:

http://www.pmcammo.com/index.php?main=dealer-locator

[victorcharlie]

Good deal! 

[A.J.]

Thanks Guys! Going to pick up my 1895 today. Can't wait to see it. I HOPE it likes the LE ammo, cause I just bought 8 boxes off Gunbroker. Shipping and all I paid $22.75 a box.

[A.J.]

Just found out today that I got drawed for a cow elk hunt on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge here in Oklahoma. My Tikka '06 is ready to go, but I'd rather take my Marlin. Got a heck of a deal on 8 boxes of LE ammo off Gunbroker. Have to do a lot more research, but if I feel comfortable with that cartridge out to 200 yards for an Elk, I'll use it. Otherwise, guess I'll try some of that 405 grain Remington stuff.

[Batchief909]

Another vote for the LE ammo. My Marlin 45/70 loves it.

[snuffydvm]

A.J.  I've used this LE Ammo in 45-70 on two game animals last fall with excellent results.  The first was a cow elk in Wyo.  Laser ranged at 240 yds off of shooting sticks. Aimed just below her topline- broadside standing shot.  She went completely off her feet with the first shot with a broken shoulder and staggered to her feet. Second shot anchored her solid.  First shot passed through, second shot lodged under the offside hide.  Later I took a whitetail doe also at 240 yds from a solid rest (sniper shot)  That one went completely through base of the neck and she got dead- quick!  I still love to reload but honestly this ammo is faster than anything I make,groups better than anything I make,  hits hard as anything I make, more consistent than anything I make, and had better downrange performance than anything I make all with modest recoil.  So I will reload plinking loads, cowboy loads, and a few odd hunting loads but when I get my tag in the mail, the first thing I'll load for the trip is my clean 45-70 Cowboy model and this LE Ammo.  Good Luck to you!  SnuffyDVM   
Ain't nothin better than ridin a good horse through new country--Gus McRae-  Lonesome Dove

[A.J.]

You're the man I was looking for Snuffy. Thanks alot. To everyone else, I guess it's a sign of old age when you start repeating yourself (the good deal on the LE ammo). Sorry about that. Guess I need to start reading my own posts before I re-post...aj

[EsoxLucius]

It looks like PMC is still up and running. They supposedly merged with Poongsan Corporation of Korea.
 
The dealer locater:

http://www.pmcammo.com/index.php?main=dealer-locator

However, they no longer offer the 45-70 ammo.

The LE ammo will feed better in your rifle if you replace the follower with the one used XLR rifles.  You can get one from Marlin.

[BBF]

I am not sure I would use the Rem's 405 factory load for anything at 200 yards

  Zero at 100 yards would give you a minus 24" at 200 yards
  Zero at 150 yards would print high 5.6 inch at 100 and minus 13" at 200 yards

 Using the Rem's 300 gr factory load
Zero at 100 yards gives you a minus 14" at 200 yards
Zero at 150 yard would print 3" high at 100 yards and be 8" low at 200

That seems a better bet for deer size targets. Both bullets have similar energy left at 200 yards

[petemi]

L.E.s are all I shoot in my .45-70 Handi with superb results.  I haven't fed any to my .30-30 336 yet, but will soon.  I had a bunch of misc. ammo to use up first.

[cobraa]

I own a Marlin 1895XLR 24" S/S 45-70  and i own the LE Ammo and it is good ammo no worrys kill anything at 200yds. but in australia its a bit expencive its like 45$aud abox thats like 43usd abox  but if i was you id be reloading and this is the full load ya want and ya will never need another one as long as you live...

Remington 45-70 Brass, Remington 9 1/2 Large Primers, Remington 405gr JSP, 40gr Reloader 7 powder.
Here is a 2shot group shot by vk4ale and a 3shot group shot by my self using this exact load on my Marlin 1895XLR 45-70 at 100YDS

CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE THEM

[A.J.]

Did you chrony that load?

[quickdtoo]

It looks like PMC is still up and running. They supposedly merged with Poongsan Corporation of Korea.
 
The dealer locater:

http://www.pmcammo.com/index.php?main=dealer-locator

That's great if you shoot a pistol or FMJs in 223, 30 carbine, 308, 7.62x39 or 50BMG, that's all the offer in their 2008 catalog, the +P 45-70 loads are history as Esox said.

Tim

 http://www.pmcammo.com/pdf/2008-PMC-Catalog.pdf

[cobraa]

Did you chrony that load?

Hi A.J no mate i didn't chrony the load cause i dont have one of them devices. but i recon it would be about 1800fps out of me Marlin 1895XLR 45-70 24" stainless steel barrel with Ballard rifling..

but if anyone has the same rifle as me and has the same equipment that would like to post the FPS that would be great.
but i can go up to 44grains of reloader-7 if i wanted too for that load. dont really know how much difference it would make for FPS or Felt recoil Wise tho.

[A.J.]

Generally, when you touch a 45-70 off, you're shoulder will give you a good idea of what's going on at the other end.

[BBF]

What AJ said 

[cobraa]

but yeah AJ try that load out and tell me what ya think.. as it works great in my rifle.

[cobraa]

HI AJ just tryed out a new Projectile in me Marlin 1895XLR 45-70 cleck it out down at the bottem of this page let me know what ya think.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,136629.0.html

[cobraa]

so has anyone tryed either one of the 2 loads we shoot in me Marlin 1895XLR 45-70? fi so what sort of results did ya get ?