Enlighten me please....7mm-08,45/70, .280,.......

[Buckeye_Buck]

Hello all!  I need some help (in many ways but lets start with rifle selection!).  I am ready to buy a new rifle.  I was teetering between a CVA Optima Elite and a Handi-Rifle, but I think I'm leaning more towards H & R now.  Now, I can't decide on a caliber!  I was originally thinking 7mm-08, but I didn't want it in a 22" barrel.  I heard they are an awesome round for deer (which is what I'd use it for) and very accurate, but will the shorter barrel hamper me if I need to take a 300 or 350 yard shot?  Then I thought 7 Mag., but that didn't work out for me.  Then I was sold on a .280 with the 26" barrel.  And then there is my newest dilemma...I just saw that 45/70 thumbhole and it looks sweet!  Honestly, every deer that I have ever killed have been inside 200 yards (most inside 30), but there is always that possibility of about a 350 yard shot.  I have a .243 Savage 110, but I don't know about shooting a deer with that at that distance.  I really like the way that 45/70 looks, and that's good out to 200 yards or better with that Hornady LEVERevolution ammo right?  But, will it knock my shoulder off when I squeeze the trigger?  Does it kick like a 12 gauge slug, or worse?  Ok...7mm-08, .280, or .45/70?  How do Handi's shoot?  I would appreciate any help that anyone could offer.  Thank you!

[burntmuch]

Im gonna beat Tim to this   ALL OF ThEM    I love my 45/70. But if your looking to go over 200 yards go with the 280

[McLernon]

Hi Buck:

It's the new 45-70 SS Ultra for me. The 45-70 is so versatile with the LeveRevolution ammo. It's even more versatile with hand loads.

Have fun deciding!

Mc

[dpe.ahoy]

The 7-08 is an excellent choice for deer.  Not much difference in that and the 280 when it come to putting the meat on the table.  I have and use both and they both will work on any thing up to Moose with the right bullet choice.  Get the 45-70 and have the other 2 barrels mounted to the frame and have it all.

[McLernon]

Yep, the 45-70 is always a good one to start with and then add barrels to your hearts content. Don't know when the Ultra SS version is going to be available.

Mc

[quickdtoo]

Yup, that's my sentiment, get all of em, and at least a couple 45-70s, you'll enjoy every one of em, all ya gotta do is decide which one to start with, and be aware they're kinda like potato chips, don't plan on getting away with just one!!

Welcome aborad, Buck!!

Tim

[MSP Ret]

Hello Buckeye Buck, I am glad to see you over here. You will not get many (any) people to say anything bad about the wonderful 45/70 here, I have 3 myself, 2 with the 22" barrel and a long barreled Buff Classic. As I said on another thread I also have a couple of .280's, and there will not be many (any) to say bad things about them here also either. Those 2 calibers are just about the best and most accurate out of the box Handi's you can get. For under 200 yards I say the 45-70 is a lot of gun and a lot of fun, for 200+ out to 300 and 350 the .280 is most likely the better choice for the hunter, although there are those here that shoot the Buff Classic out to 600 and 1,000 yards, yes that's correct, not a mistake!!!. And they hit their target also. Like you I hunt where my average shot is 30-40 yards and perhaps a bit further. I have never shot a deer in Maine over 40 yards away but where I hunt you usually can't see that far through the woods anyway. I use both my 45-70 and my .280, but I use my .280 with the shortened 18.5 barrel, it is still a MOA or MOA+ gun, shooting between 1.0 and 1.25 groups at 100 yards. The 45-70 kicks less than a 12 gauge, do not be misled by some unknowing persons about the recoil of the 45-70. You can of course load it up to dislocate your shoulder after a few rounds but with that great big bullet it is not necessary, I would say at the worst it is similar to shooting a 20 gauge with 2 3/4" shells. For what they cost you could actually buy both or get either one first and then get the other barrel for about $100. A great deal and you would have both of them, look around and watch the classifieds here and for under $400.00 you could have a fine 26" barreled .280 for the long (300+ yard) shots with an additional 22" .45/70 barrel for woods and plains hunting out to 200-250 yards....come often buddy, this is a great forum....<><....  

P.S. - pick yourself up a little Lee Loader for the 45-70 for about $13.50 and then you will really start to have fun!!!  

[handirifle]

Buck
Welcome to GB.  I'm gonna go against the crowd, somewhat.  If you're just wanting to get a new rifle, by all means get a Handi.  Go with the 45-70 for the fun part, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a 300yd shot, not with me behind the trigger anyway.

for the long stuff, get the 280, OR and here's where I vere off course.  Since you have a Savage in 243, just rebarrel it to 7-08.  You can get a barrel for about $100, and all the tools (action wrench, go no-go guages for checking headspace) for under $100.  Swapping from a 243 to 7-08 in a Savage is ALMOST as easy as in a Handi.

The drawback to the Savage swap vs. getting a Handi and swapping, is the handi barrels will stay zeroed, but you'll have to re zero the Savage.  Not saying this to turn you from the Handi, just giving you more options.

[snmann]

If you want one caliber that can go from 30-300 yards,  just get a 30-06.  I know everyone has one but everyone has one for a reason. 

[petemi]

I only weigh 150 lbs after a bath, and the .45-70 doesn't bother me at all....perhaps like a 20ga.  The .45-70 IS definitely a 300 yard rifle with the Leverevolutions.  You just have to work with it and know where it is going to be.  I've got a BDC scope I'm working with now.  We'll see how far we can stretch it.  The payload is there at 300 with the 325 gr. Hornadys.

[bighemidaddy]

45/70 all the way


bighemidaddy

[McLernon]

Yea, the 45-70

Mc

[Buckeye_Buck]

Thanks for all your input fellas...I might just have to run one of those SS Ultras down and just get some more barrels later on.  Does anyone have advice on the scope (and, do I need to get a steel base?) as far as eye relief and whatever else is suitable for a 45/70?  Thanks, I appreciate it!

[quickdtoo]

Spend some time in the FAQs, see the 45-70 scope thread. 

Tim