Author Topic: Pig Gun: Ordered the Handi 45/70 this am! (Read 616 times)

MarkA · « **on:** January 03, 2005, 08:42:42 AM »

Got a pig hunt So. of Odessa, TX on 1/20/05! Looked at the Marlin 1895 and 1895GS and Ruger No. 1 in 45/70. Went with the H&R in 45/70! This makes two, the 204 Ruger and the 45/70!

45/70 Dudes what do I need to know. It will have a Loopy 6X36 VX-II fixed on it. Do I need to do the washer trick. What loads are y'all shootin' and likin'? What accuracy should I expect (I know this is not your 1/2" at 200 yd tack driver), reasonably? Is it as leathal as I am told?

Buckeye · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2005, 08:56:14 AM »

I've got a Marlin GG in 45/70 ,great gun ,BUTT I'm going to be gettin a Handi in 45/70 or 500 S&W, theres just something bout a Handi !

I don't scope 45/70 & such .
My favorite load for a 45/70 is 53gr.s of IMR 3031 behind a 405gr. Rem. bullet.(MAX LOAD PLEASE WORK UP TO IT)

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2005, 09:30:25 AM »

Mark, that sounds like way too much scope to me. I put 2x and 4x on my .45-70s. You just don't need much scope when your effective range is less than 200 yards and you need all the field of view you can get when you are brush hunting.

We've had some pig hunting reports and a search will find them for you. My impression is that the .45-70 does not kill hogs instantly, but can be counted on for penetration.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2005, 10:35:36 AM »

I think a good 1.5-6 or 2-7 would be a good scope for a 45-70, in fact that's what I have on mine! I would want a good field of view for quick aquisition of a hog at relatively close range, especiallly considering you only have one shot on hand. The Mueller 2-7x32 Mult-Shot would be an excellent scope, I think, and with the illuminated dot, excellent for low light shooting. If that sounds good to ya, give Jon a call at The Optic Zone for a great price.

For ammo, I'd shoot 405gr factory ammo from Remington or the 350 gr PMC, they all shoot good and you wouldn't have to worry about working up a load tween now and then. The PMC load is stout at ~2100fps but shoots 1-1.5" at 100yds and 2.5-3" at 200yds, with a zero 3" high at 100yds, it hits 5" low at 200yds.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2005, 05:47:54 PM »

This may not sound like it is relevant, but I have been working on a 625-4 S&W in .45 ACP/AR lately.

I was shooting a 30# freon bottle and noticed the 230 gr Golden Saber bullets I'm shooting make a nice big hole going in and a bigger hole coming out. I also noticed that I never knock the bottle over, even from 25 yards with those bullets. Then I shot the same bottle with a 200 gr LSWC that penetrated one side and tore the other side without exiting. That shot knocked the bottle over!
Going in, the far left hole is the LSWC

Coming out, the far right is where the bottle tore, but the bullet stayed inside the bottle.

It may just be that everyone is using elephant loads, thinking pigs are armor plated! It might be worth a try to see what the slower loads will do in terms of knock down, which is what I'm planning on doing.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2005, 06:10:15 PM »

A good demonstration of the difference between a bullet that passes through wasting energy on the atmosphere past the target and a bullet that expends all of its energy on the target.

handirifle · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2005, 06:34:46 PM »

paul
I shot one of those with 405gr factory 45-70 loads and at 80 yards it flipped and rolled downhill. It had 2 REAL big holes in it.

Mark the advice on the scope is right on for that caliber, better a quick accurate first shot. I even considered a red dot for one.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2005, 06:38:15 PM »

Quick,

Maybe I should add the velocities. The 200 gr LSWC was loaded with 8.0 gr SR 4756 with Win LP primers in two different batches of .45 ACP brass.
R-P brass
981.6 fps
958.3 fps
1010 fps
892.1 fps
1007 fps
1008 fps
976.2 fps average

S&B brass
913.5 fps
1026 fps
984.6 fps
1001 fps
981.3 fps average

The 230 gr Golden Sabers were loaded at 10.0 gr SR 4756 in Starline .45 AR brass and Win LP primers (OAL is 1.32"). The velocities are listed by chamber number, which varies quite a bit even though these were weighed charges.
1) 1081 fps
2) 997.6 fps
3) 953.8 fps
4) 985.6 fps
5) 1029 fps
6) 1015 fps
1010.3 fps average
1048 fps corrected to MV

I have already shot these 230's with 10.5 gr 4756 and will probably bump it to 11.0 gr tonight. These loads have proven to be safe in MY GUN, your results may vary and not be safe.

I suppose everyone knows not to try these loads in a semi-auto bottom feeder! The springs aren't designed for it and it will probably beat the frame up.