The 45-70 Govt.

[Pinebark]

I am new to this forum. I also have become a big fan of the 45-70 and do not even think about hunting with my bolt guns, instead I reach for my guide gun for all my hunts. Now living and hunting in So. East Texas I do not feel that I am hampered with my choice. What I want to know is how many of you guys or gals that hunt in more open spaces that use this round like it?

[Camp Cook]

My 45-70's which are only 2 at this time, are part of my accumalation of guns and are shot and carried alot but when the game is scarce and the shots maybe long my Marlin 1895GS stays either at home or tucked away in it's case to be used as a camp gun.
Now for about 8 months out of the year I am in very remote areas about 4 days a week working. It is usually only me and my dog (Chesapeake Bay retriever) on these trips and that is when I carry my Marlin 1895GS loaded with 550gr Jae-Bok Young's "Crater" hard cast bullets @ 1600fps everywhere with me, and if I set it down I have my Ruger Super Redhawk 454 Casull on my hip.
Cam

[leverfan]

Pinebark-

Welcome to Graybeard, and welcome to the Lever Action forum.

I grew up using lever guns here in western Washington, which is a mix of dense brush, thick forest, and huge clear cut areas.  In other words, game can be spotted anywhere from right at your feet to the outer limits of your optics, depending on where you are.  Lots of guys around here go with fast thirty caliber magnums and big scopes in order to reach out across those huge clear cuts.  Often, they end up tripping over game in tight jack fir thickets, and then they find out the limits of long barrels and high magnification optics.

My dad has a 30-30 that's served him well for years, and I often use a 444, and I don't feel limited.  I like to hunt the thick stuff, and I don't mind stalking, so I don't need a "bean field" rifle.  In fact, I wouldn't lug one along even if I owned one.  The closest thing I have to a long range rig is a 30-06, and it will reach as far as I'm capable of shooting under field conditions.  It's mostly my coyote gun, these days.

[Pinebark]

I also started my deer hunting with a lever gun and then moved on to an auto, then a pump and later bolt guns. I guess maybe as its said that in time you go back to your roots. I get enjoyment shooting any rifle but even more when shooting the 45-70. I do not take long shots unless I know that I can make it. I guess what I wanted to know is if the people that have used this round a lot feel that 150 to 200 yards is to much. Thanks for your reply.

[leverfan]

I do not take long shots unless I know that I can make it. I guess what I wanted to know is if the people that have used this round a lot feel that 150 to 200 yards is to much. Thanks for your reply.

Well, if you can make the shot, then the 45-70 will do the job when it gets there.  You sound like an ethical hunter that makes sure of the range, and your own abilities, before you pull the trigger.  If you can reliably hit paper plates while shooting from field positions, and you can hit them out to 200 yards, then the 45-70 is a 200 yard gun in your hands.

In some other hands, it may very well be a 50 yard gun.