45-70 Loads

[MCH]

Hi all, I'm new here and think this is a great forum, I'v read a lot of great information.
So here's my question.
I'm considuring a Marlin GG in 45-70 and plan on using it for deer hunting and putting holes in tin can's. The last time I shot a 45-70 was about twenty years ago and it was a 10lb Sharps. The heavy loads I know can kick the snot out of you so what I'm asking is how low can you go with light loads for just plinking and such. I 'm hunting with a 30-06 and really don't like the recoil for just plinking. 99 percent of my shooting will be targets.
At 7lbs for the GG I'm wondering how the recoil compaires to my 7lb Rem 700.

Thanks, MCH

[John Traveler]

Hi, MCH!

Welcome to the Board, and congratulations on buying a FINE rifle!

I have the regular M1895 .45-70 w/22" barrel.  Your M1895 GG should kick about the same, considering the shorter barrel and muzzle gas vents.

The kick with factory M1873 level loads is not bad.  Somewhat less than a comparable weight .30-06 with 150 or 180 grain factory loads.  The M1873 "Trapdoor" Springfield level loads are 405 grain RN at about 1300 fps muzzle velocity.  For extended bench or plinking sessions, even THAT can get fatigueing, so I switch to 300 grain RN lead reloads at about 1200 fps velocy.  138 grain Round ball reloads kick even less, at pistol-bullet velocities (800-1000 fps).

Given the versatility of .45-70 reloads, you can hunt most anything from mouse to moose with that rifle.

Have fun!

John

[R. Tillery]

My ported GG in .45-70, whether using 405 grain Remington SPs or 300 grain W-W JHPs, recoils like a .410 shotgun. VERY mild.

[onesonek]

for plinking, 300 gr. R7 33grs. 1300+ fps

[nfmMike]

I know you get what you pay for - but I gotta ask anyway. Has anyone used the Cabela's bulk 45/70 ammo - the 405 RNFP lead? The write up focuses on cowboy action shooting, but I wonder what the performance is on these? I don't reload - yet - and would really not mind paying only 90 cents a round instead of over a dollar. Any input is good.

Thank you in advance.

[MCH]

nfmMike, I can't say anything about Cabela's ammo, but at 90cents a rnd I could not afford to shoot much. I can reload these for about 20cents a rnd. using store bought cast 405gr slugs. Do your self a favor and start reloading. You can build any load you want and custom fit it for your gun, and have fun doing it! :-)
MCH

[nfmMike]

MCH - I was thinking that it may well be worth my while to save the $90 plus shipping for a box of 100 and put it toward reloading gear. I guess it always helps to verbalize thoughts and see what comments come back. I would sure rather shoot for 20 cents a round!

Thanks for pointing that out.

[neon frizzen]

you can cast your own bullets and save even more money