Maybe myself and my hunting buddy have been lucky but between us we have taken well over 300 deer with the 45-70 at ranges from 25yds to a tad over 300 and all have been with 300gr HPs.
To date we have lost a total of 3 deer.
One because the adjoining land owner wouldn't let us on his land. (a real bunny hugger)
One by me after nicking a small tree that resulted in a lower front leg shot. (doe was killed later that year by me with the same gun, minor leg damage, my fault not the ammo)
The last one I can't say, the blood trail played out and after 3 days of looking we never found it. (it happens sometimes)
Not to say that other loads wouldn't have done just as good or better but this is the results we have had using 300gr JHPs.
Over the years I have seen far more deer lost from many different calibers and loads for what ever reason.
I like what keith44 says:
"The average hunter of today is far too reliant on gimmicks and has too little skill to even compare to the hunters who I walked with in my youth."
I will +1 that!!!
We are meat hunters and can't stand losing game but if you hunt long enough, I don't care what load is used in any gun, IT WILL HAPPEN!
I have read about the failures from many of the members here and don't dispute their statements.
I am just saying it hasn't happened to us and I believe that the numbers I am talking is a pretty fair sampling.
Smokin Joe just brought up a very good debate question.
"This thing should fly like the .452 240 gr XTP, which would not be my first choice for long range shooting."
What is long range?
In target or varmint shooting it might be well over 500yds.
Same goes for deer but how many of us try to kill deer at those ranges.
I have done it a few times but not with a 45-70!
At the average distance that most game is shot I don't need to rely on momentum.
As long as the bullet is of the right construction for the game being hunted they should all be good choices.
The just of my debate is:
If the 250gr bullet in question is of good construction for the game being hunted then it should do what the shooter intends it to do within reasonable shooting distances.
LONGTOM
