Author Topic: 45-70 for deer (Read 784 times)

msrr · « **on:** October 19, 2005, 04:11:12 PM »

Howdy fellas! I am new to the board and I am new to the 45-70. I have a question and I hope I am in the right area. I am going to buy a 45-70 and I need to know about the loads. Shooting a 405gr load, is it necessary to shot a JHP or Soft point? Or since the piece is that big, will a flat nosed or round nose do the trick on whitetail? Can you folks help me out with this? Thanks for any info.

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2005, 03:45:22 AM »

I don't believe there are 405 grain JHPs for the 45-70, problem solved! Seriously, only the 250-300 grain bullets have hollow cavities. Deer easily succumb to the 300 grain jacketed bullets at moderate velocities. The 350 grain flat nose is a good all around bullet in the 45-70. While they work well, the 400-405 grain jacketed bullets are really not needed for deer and increase felt recoil.

Leverdude · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2005, 02:22:45 PM »

If you stick to standard factory ammo the 405's kick less IMO.
I'v taken 6 deer with mine & only once used a 300 hp & I wasn't impressed. Alot of guys swear by them but swear at them.

Mine came apart on a shoulder & got almost no penetration, had to shoot him again to put him out of his misery. Before that deer I took one with a factory Rem 405 & 3 more after it. They all died right there real fast with very little meat damage. Last year I got one with PMC's cowboy loadng. A 405 hardcast & it plunked right thru him & he took not one step. He was walking between 2 trees & the shot knocked him into the far one & he slid down it & thats all she wrote. Dont know where your hunting but if the shots are fairly close a 405 grain slug puttering along at 1300 or so fps does a nice job. If shots are likely to be much over 100 yards I'd be thinking about a 300 grain round nose or flat point. PMC also sells a 350 grain jacketed round nose +P load thats listed at 2025fps I believe that shoots real good in my Marlin but its overkill for my hunting needs & hurts after awhile. I like to hunt with ammo I can shoot alot & standard 405's fit the bill for me. :grin:

buckeye hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2005, 02:37:05 PM »

I shot two deer a couple of years ago with a 45-70 contender. I handloaded with 300 grain hornady hollow points. I stayed with that load due to the fact that the factory chamber was not long enough to accomodate higher grained (longer overall length) bullets. Both deer were under 50 yards. Both ended up on their backs from the impact of the bullets.

newdad · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2005, 03:15:08 PM »

i also use a 45-70 for deer as far as im concerned its not overkill. Drops them where they stand and thats that. i was using the 300 grainers but only because thats about all i could find here locally. i normaly use the 400? grain remington load.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2005, 03:33:39 PM »

300 to 405 will do the trick. If you don't want a lot of recoil go with the 300 gr. No need for fast rounds in the 45-70. This is one of my favorite rounds.

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2005, 08:38:23 AM »

My dad uses a 300gr JHP and some cowboy action velocity type load using Unique. It makes IIRC about 1300fps, but I could be off on that. Kills em like any other rifle I've seen. I'd say try a few styles and weights and see what your rifle shoots best.