Well I guess I got my lunch ate on that one. For the record I would like to point out that I did use as an example a documented shot on game the size and weight of elk that was taken well beyond the range I consider to be short range. I also don't think there is in any way a fair comparison to the buffalo hunters of old and what we may run into in todays game feilds.
Buffalo roamed the plains in the millions, depending on the source, 6 to 15 million animals at time of the continental railroad (1860ish?) Buffalo hunters would shoot between 40 and 60 animals a day. The standard practice was to gut shoot a cow who would then begin to bellow and create a ruckus, and while she was carrying on, other cows would gather round, only to be shot. One of the reasons the buffalo hunters were so devastating to the herds. This is one described method. Another method, quite similar was to set up and head shoot them, an animal that simply dropped didn't spook the herd. The idea with this tactic being to set up far enough out that the gunshot was more like thunder to the animals (At least 250 yards)
When was the last time anyone saw a herd of buffalo that could be shot at as if at target practice? For that matter, when was the last time any of us took an animal in the field thinking that this was only the first for the day?
More likely we take what ever shot is offered, be it 50 or 200 yards, knowing it may be the only one of the season
Yeah, there were a number of buffs killed with the 45-70, but plenty more were killed with the likes of the 50-70 and the 50-90, more commonly known as the 50 Sharps, which was considered the premier buffalo chambering. I guess kinda like a 300 Weatherby to a 30-06. Buffalo Bill Cody used a Springfield Trapdoor in 50-70, he nicknamed the rifle Lucreca Borgia (bad spelling)
There is probably as much myth about the 45-70 as fact. I grew up with a Springfield Trapdoor, it was in fact the first centerfire I ever shot. It has a long and illustrious history, and with modern loadings it is as much or more rifle than one might ever need, but it ain't no laser beam killing everything in it's path.
It should also be noted that the white hunter John Taylor dispised the 405 Winchester, (compared earlier to the 45-70) claiming it to be underpowered for dangerous game.
Personally, I think the 45-70 survives, not because it is a great cartridge, but it's fans are vocal and simply continue to multiply, Besides, there is something magic about shoving a chamber full of a case as long and big around as your finger that throws a chunk of lead the size of your thumb. That doesn't make it a great cartridge, just one emmensly popular and steeped in nostalgia.
Understand too that I am working on the other end of 45-70 magic. I'm pushing a pure lead example of Lee's 405 Hollow point with 15 grains of Unique to the astounding velocity of 1170 fps. I almost never see deer beyond 50 yards, and if a 44 Magnum 265 grainer at 1275 will kill 'em, this 45-70 load ought to just up and slap the "runaway" right out of 'em.
Even loaded hot, I still consider the 45-70 to be a short range proposition. Work at 200 yards and beyond is the perview of cartridges like the 270, 30-06 etc. There is a reason these overshadow the 45-70, and always will. Just how I see it.
