Author Topic: Rifle Choice, help please! (Read 1228 times)

freezesucka04 · « **on:** February 20, 2005, 07:09:14 PM »

Hi there. Im wanting to buy me a new rifle, and I want it to be single-shot and have been looking at the Handi-Rifles. Im looking for a big-bore type cartridge. I know you can buy extra barrells for these guns but would like some input on what would be best for me to buy first. I'm going to be hunting Whitetail deer, wild boars, and might be going on an exotic game hunt. I already have a few rifles that I hunt with(30-06, .270), but want a bigger cartridge to use. Out of the 44 Rem Mag, 45-70, and the new S&W 500, what do u think would be my best choice out of these three for a big bore. I've been trying to decide myself but would like some help from other knowledged shooters. Let me put it in terms of a question. If you were stranded on a big-game island and had to pick one of the 3 calibers i listed, what would it be and why. LOL, kinda crazy, but would help me choose. Thanks, Justin

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2005, 07:33:53 PM »

Welcome Aboard

That's not really a hard question to answer...plain and simple...the 45-70...it's the best of the big bores in a Handi...ammo can be had to take on the Big 5 in Africa...or plinking loads to shoot all day...it's at home shooting cast bullets...or loaded with the best jacketed bullets...and you can buy ammo of both just about anywhere...and if there were a gun shop on that island of yours...I would bet dollar to a doughnuts...they would have 45-70 ammo in there... :wink:

Mac

ogo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2005, 07:55:05 PM »

Welcome,ogo say HI, now that's a easy one to answer 45/70*************ogo

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2005, 08:07:33 PM »

Welcome to GBO!

Yup, what Mac said...the 45-70!! :wink:

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2005, 01:42:32 AM »

Howdy, welcome aboard the handi wagon now get yerself a .45-70 and join the rest of us in our insanities.

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2005, 02:27:46 AM »

The name says it all :-D :-D :-D 4570 handi hands down

Lots of fun from plinkin to boomin

ONE HOLE 4570

jeff223 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2005, 02:36:26 AM »

i dont have any of the three :shock:
this alone is reason enough to stay off those islands :-D

MSP Ret · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2005, 03:13:25 AM »

, Welcome aboard, but why is it that I get the feeling your pulling our collective legs and you are not a newbie? Now on to the question that for the life of me I can see no question about. The answer is the 45-70 with no reservations....<><.... :?

Nightrain52 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2005, 05:52:18 AM »

Yupper it would be the 45-70. Good for everything from moose to squirrel.

:shock: :eek: :music: :music: :music: :music:

marv · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2005, 06:29:53 AM »

I don't think you can get the 500 S&W soon, That leaves 45-70 and 44 mag.
I have both, think they are great, No 1 45-70

But it's your choice.
Marv.

Varminter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2005, 07:28:46 AM »

Out of the tree you listed i would get the 45-70. But you can't forget about the 450 Marlin barrel. I bought one of the 450 marlins to be different everyone has the 45-70. I would consider one of those two

45-70..........OR..........450 Marlin

MSP Ret · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2005, 08:00:09 AM »

My choice is still for the 45-70, but if you want to be different how about looking for a .444?....<><.... :grin:

Varminter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2005, 09:33:44 AM »

a 444 would be a nice one but they are hard to come by. The 450 is a good round but i still want a 45-70, too. But i think the 444 is calling my name right now.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2005, 07:50:19 PM »

Quote from: Varminter

Out of the tree you listed i would get the 45-70. But you can't forget about the 450 Marlin barrel. I bought one of the 450 marlins to be different everyone has the 45-70. I would consider one of those two

45-70..........OR..........450 Marlin

Do you still have your 450...I thought you sold it off...or am I mistaken??? I think the 450 is a good round...unfortuantly...it is already loaded up to the max...and you really can't push it any further...in a Handi...or a Lever action...at least for the ones being sold right now in the Winchester or Marlin...and you can't go get any decent light loads for it either...but...as a heavy hitter...it does that in spades...

Mac

Varminter · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2005, 09:56:16 AM »

No, i still have it. It's a pretty nice round but if i had it to do over again i would get the 45-70. The 450 is nice but it is one you have to reload for. Since i have had it i have only found 2 companies that load for it and they are Hornady and Buffalo Bore :shock:. There is no bullet selection unless you reload. I found some bullets i want to try that are made by the Western bullet company. It's a 150 grain cast bullet. It's an odd shaped bullet. I never have saw anything like it. Here's the link if you want to see it
http://missoula.bigsky.net/western/cbip/cbip.html
Its called the collarbutton

glock29 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2005, 10:17:10 AM »

No question, hands-down, go with the 45-70.
The 45-70 can be mild with factory loads, or handloaded to equal the 375 H&H muzzle energy.
Recoil is very mild with the factory 300 or 405 gr loads, but is nothing short of BRUTAL with max handloads !

mitchell · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2005, 10:34:33 AM »

Quote from: Mac11700

Quote from: Varminter
Out of the tree you listed i would get the 45-70. But you can't forget about the 450 Marlin barrel. I bought one of the 450 marlins to be different everyone has the 45-70. I would consider one of those two

45-70..........OR..........450 Marlin

Do you still have your 450...I thought you sold it off...or am I mistaken??? I think the 450 is a good round...unfortuantly...it is already loaded up to the max...and you really can't push it any further...in a Handi...or a Lever action...at least for the ones being sold right now in the Winchester or Marlin...and you can't go get any decent light loads for it either...but...as a heavy hitter...it does that in spades...

Mac

must be that old age thing again mac it was me who had it and i sold it to varminter you where 2nd in line.

ogo · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2005, 11:06:52 AM »

Varminter, I would like to try that 45cal.150gr bullet in my Buff for small game.Could you post the web site? thanx.************ogo

Varminter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2005, 11:11:07 AM »

sure the link is http://missoula.bigsky.net/western/cbip/cbip.html

Mac11700 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2005, 07:19:01 PM »

Mitchell......ok...ok...my age got the better of me

Varminter....I dunno...if I'm not mistaken...that is a old paradox rifle bullet...a collar button...I'll have to do some checking through some old litriature...but if I'm not mistaken these were loaded deep into like a old ballon head brass shotshell...I'll see what I can dig up...

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2005, 08:50:03 PM »

Drew, here's an old thread on the collar buttons used in plinkin loads....

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=47407&highlight=collar+button+4570

I'll be makin some of these loads up since Deadeye sent me a handfull of em to play with, whata great fella!!! :wink:

MSP Ret · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2005, 01:53:52 AM »

OK Quick, how did they shoot? Do you have a load you used for the round balls? How about some accuracy reports also? I am interested in loading up a batch of quiet 45-70 squirrel and backyard target loads....<><.... :grin:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2005, 05:55:37 AM »

Heh heh, just got em yesterday, haven't loaded any yet, range won't be open until Saturday....depends on whether I get my BC back before then, won't go until after that happens....won't be shootin round balls though, but the collar buttons looked fun from the very first time I saw em!! From what Deadeye said, they are far from quiet, though!! :eek: :wink:

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2005, 06:53:09 AM »

Like everyone else, the .45-70. Don't have the Handi in this, but I have a Marlin 1895gs. The great thing about this is that it is so cheap and easy to reload....I use the Lee Loader. My whitetail rounds are basically kinda' warm Trapdoor loads with Sierra 300gr. bullets. Kicks identical to my 28ga. shotgun. :grin:

Jim

bull b 25-06 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2005, 05:30:58 PM »

45/70 big boom!!!! big fun!!!!! big grin!!!!! cheap reloads!!!!!! suprisingly accurate for the size of caliber!!!!!! plus during deer season it's nice too know that just in case i saw or was charged by a cape buffalo i could take him down( after relieving myself in my boxers,and then finding time to regroup). ha ha ha ha

later bull b 25-06

Woodbutcher · « **Reply #25 on:** February 24, 2005, 12:51:33 PM »

freezesucka04
My friend recently got a nice lever action in 454 Casul. Uses the same ammo as his revolver. Very nice, 250 and 300 gr loads. Mild to shoot, light recoil, ( in the rifle ) he's pleased.
The 45/70 shoots a lot stronger, and farther. Woodbutcher