Author Topic: Help with 45-70 rifle choice (Read 2345 times)

KansasPaul · « **on:** April 14, 2007, 08:05:58 AM »

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and I've been reading as many posts as possible but I need some input from other members regarding the purchase of a new rifle. I've been around firearms for years and I'm at a point where I want to begin to load my own rounds. My two teenage boys have a desire to experience different types of rifles (ie., lever-gun, breach load, auto, etc.). I'm not a hunter, just a guy who loves to keep young people out of trouble by shooting targets, skeet and silly little McDonalds toys at 100 yards. We want to add another rifle to our collection and I'm at a point where I am considering the purchase of something in 45-70 caliber. I like the Handi-rifles because of the simple design and reasonable cost but I have concerns about the accuracy of a Handi-rifle in 45-70 (my .223 Handi still isn't dialed in yet and I've already put 100+ rounds through it, but that's another story). I really can't afford to make a purchasing mistake. The other rifle I'm considering is a Marlin 1895G and a local sporting goods store has a new one on the shelf for $460.

So, help me out here - am I better off buying the Handi and saving $200 which can be used to buy dies, cases and other accessories (maybe a Williams sight) or do I shell out the extra money and by the Marlin?

I appreciate anyone's input.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2007, 08:20:52 AM »

Me-n-myhouse

For what its worth , the 45/70 is the top shelf Handi , mine will shoot better than i can on most days and for what you want the rifle to do the handi is the best choice for a few reasons .

1) With the fact that it is a single shot the safety factor is very high .

2) It can be loaded to diffrent levels depending on what recoil level you are confortable with .

3) From a handloading stand point the 45/70 is one of the easiest of all rifles to load .

4) The 45/70 barrel will have iron sites as well as being drilled and tapped for a scope .

I just love mine .

stimpy

PS -- Welcome to the crazy world of GBO and Handi's

McLernon · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2007, 09:04:56 AM »

I have the Marlin XLR in 45-70 and love it.

Mc

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2007, 09:15:07 AM »

Welcome to GBO!!

What Stimpy said, he pretty much said it all, I have two 45-70 Handis and Buffalo Classic in 45-70 and 45-120, thre just isn't a more popular cartridge in the Handi than the 45-70, it's got to be the most fun round to shoot in either the Handi or BC, they're exceptionally accurate and shoot a variety of jacketed and cast bullets very well, you and the boys will really enjoy punching big holes in paper or water jugs with trap door loads, minimal recoil and a real hoot to shoot!!

Be sure to watch the video below!!

Tim

http://beartoothbullets.com/WMV_Files/45-70-525.wmv

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2007, 09:25:54 AM »

The Handi's in 45-70 are real good...but so too are the Marlin's...I too have a XLR and love shooting it...I suggest going the middle road...and get a Buffalo Classic in 45-70 and then pick up a 30-30 barrel for it...Then pick up a good lever gun...1 addiction is enough at a time...

Mac

BANG_OW · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2007, 09:37:04 AM »

Me-n-myhouse,
Welcome! I have an old Marlin .45-70 that I wouldn't part with for any reason. But, I also have a Buffalo Classic that will be used for target shooting (as soon as I get the sights lined up). I agree with the gents on this forum, you can't go wrong with any of the Handis, but the .45-70 in the BC sure fits the bill.
Enjoy your time with your kids.
Don

Roudy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2007, 09:48:36 AM »

Me-n-myhouse

The Handi 45-70 comes in two barrel lengths, 22 inches for the Handi Rifle and 32 inches for the Buffalo Classic. You can visit their web site to get the details, but if you are primarily going to use it for hunting, the 22 inch barrel would be easier to carry. However, hunting and shooting is a personal thing, you won't go wrong with either one.

If you are going to use iron sights, the longer barrel will give you a longer sight radius and allow you to be more accurate. I have a 45-70 with a 22 inch barrel, but have mounted a 4X scope on it.

Roudy

http://www.hr1871.com/

Piney · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2007, 10:00:08 AM »

I have both the .45/70 Handi-Rifle and the Marlin 1895G. They are both great shooters.

For general target and all around fun the Handi is shot the most, however, the Marlin also gets shot regularly.
Both guns are very accurate.

I believe the Marlin would be the go to gun if hunting was the sole purpose of the gun. The Handi would be the all around target fun gun.

The .45/70 Cal. is a versatile Cal. and there are numerous loads- bullets to choose from, not to mention the history of the Cal. to take into consideration.

The .45/70 cal. is a HOOT TO SHOOT!

cherokee75 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2007, 10:05:28 AM »

quickdtoo-
Nice video, did you make it?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2007, 10:10:37 AM »

me-n-myhouse, since you don't hunt and you're considering the cost of an 1895, I'd get 2 Handis, one for each of the boys, or a Handi and a BC, about the same or less than one Marlin!!

Tim

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=GCR1871

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=GSB2457

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G1895G

http://rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G1895XLR

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2007, 10:11:56 AM »

Quote from: cherokee75 on April 14, 2007, 10:05:28 AM

quickdtoo-
Nice video, did you make it?

No, it was posted here once, I just knew where to find it.

Tim

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2007, 11:08:16 AM »

me-n-myhouse

One other thing to consider , with the $200 price diffrence you can have a complete reloading set-up , with manuall , press, dies, scale , powder , bullets and all the little parts & peices that go with it .

stimpy

KansasPaul · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2007, 10:51:30 AM »

Thanks to all who responded!!

wallaby · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2007, 04:01:52 PM »

The marlin is a great gun, but I do love that Whoomp! noise when you drop a round in the chamber of a handi-rifle.

ironglow · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2007, 02:04:23 AM »

Hey..Thanks Stimpy & Tim;
I was not aware that the 45/70 is NEFs tack driver ! I heve been intrigued by the round for a short range "brush gun" for deer.

You know, we always need an excuse to get a new rifle or barrel...LOL. Still, I have been put off by a couple things...

This old blacksmith is "losing" his right shoulder my old H&R 12 ga slug gun was getting aggravating, then the cost of feeding a 45/70.... Is the big boomer not my cup of tea ?

Tim, that 45/120 is impressive ! How does it shoot "way out there" where the "hostiles" may lurk about ?

....And that "Super Quigley" ammo...where do you get it ?

...Ironglow

BANG_OW · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2007, 02:24:51 AM »

Ironglow,
That is the great thing about the .45-70, you can load it down to very acceptable recoil levels. Add some weight in the buttstock with either a mercury reducer or copper tube filled with shot and you have it made. Do the same thing to your old 12 ga. while you are at it.
Don

motordog80 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2007, 03:34:12 AM »

I have thought about the 45-70 lately, but I don't like the price of bullets. How much do you save if you reload your own?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2007, 05:21:12 AM »

Ironglow, I have only shot the 45-120 to 200yds, I can shoot to 300yds at my range, but haven't tried it yet. It shoots just like a 45-70, but has more shock and awe factor, if you know what I mean!! Brass can be had for about $2 each, Cabelas used to sell ammo, but I don't think they do any more.

MD80, you can get into reloading the 45-70 for lesss than $20 for a Lee Loader, then all ya need is a pound of powder <$20, box of bullets $15-$25, and a bag of brass(50) $25. It doesn't really save any money, but you can shoot a lot more for the money spent.

Tim

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2007, 06:45:33 AM »

Ironglow

I just love my 45/70 for the fact that i can load it down to the recoil of a 410 or up to a 105 Hoz. , With the 405 cast bullets over 12gr of Unique it is a pussy cat to shoot and even with this light of a load it will still take deer out to 75 yards with ease .

Bump up the load and you will do the 150 thing with no problem . I just like the look on peoples faces when the little kids shoot the rifle with that BIG brass case on a light load and slip in a stout load for them to shoot .

stimpy

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2007, 07:03:46 AM »

:)Stimpy now that's down right mean, I like it. Did that with my son & a turkey load this year but shooting at game he did not notice almost falling over on his butt

BANG_OW · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2007, 01:16:22 PM »

I fell for a similar trick from my uncle when I was 16. He had loaded up his old pump shotgun with alternating bird shot and slugs. He was shooting trap (from the hip) and breaking birds, would then rack it and hand it to me for my "turn". Of course, I missed every time, all the time knocking the gizzards out of my shoulder. This kept going until I racked it without returning it and broke the next bird. His comment was "Even a blind sow finds an acorn sooner or later".
Unfortunately he died of cancer at the age of 42, it seems he was one of the Bikini atoll guys (guinea pigs) while he was in the service.
My dad aged 15 years the day my uncle died. Sad times.
I have used this trap shooting scenario on my own son, and he will probably pull it on his someday. Have fun, enjoy life, my uncle sure did.

Shawnee Gene · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2007, 12:15:35 PM »

Sir, I have three rifles chambered for 45/70. 22", 28", & 32". I think that sums up how I feel about the cartridge.

Country Boy · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2007, 02:22:48 PM »

Tim, where did you find one like the one you show with the tdc forend and butt stock that has a recoil pad. If I could buy one like that. I would get it today. Would that one be forsale ?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2007, 02:35:04 PM »

That's just a .45-70 Handi with a BC stock that's been cut off and a Limbsaver installed, did it myself! The stock was chipped by H&R while an acc barrel was being fitted, they sent me a new stock, so I "salvaged" the butt by cutting the chipped toe off square.

Tim

Freightman · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2007, 09:23:35 AM »

Have a Buffalo Classic and I love the gun, cast my own bullets, use surplus powder, so the cost to shoot is very affordable, will have more rifles in 45/70 as soon as i can afford it. Great accuracy right out of the box.

McLernon · « **Reply #25 on:** April 19, 2007, 12:38:52 PM »

Hi Freightman:

Can you give details on your bullet making i.e mold used, bullet diameter as cast, sized, alloy used etc.as I am thinking of going that way. The availability of commercial cast lead bullets in Canada is poor so I'll have to cast my own. I would like to cast 350 and 400 gr bullets.

Mc

ironglow · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2007, 12:32:54 AM »

45/70 handloaders;

At what level (fps) does one have to abandon pure cast bullets and go to gas check or jacketed bullets ?

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2007, 01:18:15 AM »

Ironglow I'm shooting Laser cast and Cast performance, hard cast 405 grn bullets at between 1700 to 1750 fps with no signs of leading. The laser cast are plain bevel base, and the cast performance are gas check. My own cast bullets I keep at about 1400 with no problems, they are flat base cast from ww with some hard lead shot thrown in the mix.

ironglow · « **Reply #28 on:** April 22, 2007, 03:09:40 AM »

Thanks Flnt..

Freightman · « **Reply #29 on:** April 22, 2007, 12:11:54 PM »

I have three molds a 300 plain based bullet that I have shot at 1500+ fps and a 405 Hollow base bullet I chrnoed at 1350fps with no leading at all, and a 450g Gas checked bullet that I have been up to 1500fps shoulder will not take much more than that. All but the 300 is LEE molds so they are economical $19 at Midway the 300 is a Lyman and I got it in a trade, the 405 HB is the most accurate by a little all are very accurate. The best I have done was after 50 rounds were shot through the new BC I was using the 405 HB with some surplus WC872 and it was 1" at 100 yds over the stock sights.
I will more than likely not shoot anything but cast from my BC.
I sift the lead from the pistol range where I shoot, so the lead only requires I scoop a few shovels full each time I go to the range and 100 rounds of brass was $35 and a few cents of surplus powder and $0.03 for a primer and will reload 10+ times on brass so cost is cheap (like me).