Author Topic: Uses for 45/70? (Read 2897 times)

gsxrcurt · « **on:** October 07, 2005, 05:03:51 PM »

hi all, I'm new around here and thought I might say hi.

I was also wanting another barrel for my NEF handi rifle and thought a 45/70 might be kinda neat, but I was curious what all this round would be effective on. I know I can use it on just about any north american game, but what about others parts of the world? Africa? Thanks for any input. Sorry for the long post.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2005, 06:19:38 PM »

Welcome to Graybeard gsxrcurt.

Like you said the 45-70 will take any North American game, as far as Africa, I am sure it will take any plains game. I thing you would be wise to get something a little more powerful for the dangerous game.

AZ223 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2005, 06:27:33 PM »

Welcome to the forum! And if you think that was a long post, you should check out the Bible Study forum...sheesh!

Anyway, I think Redhawk1 hit it on the head; a 45-70 will take any large game safely out to around 150 yards, the big "maybe" being dangerous African game. I've never hunted there and likely never will, but many claim that because of it's slower velocity, with the right cast bullets, a 45-70 will penetrate more than enough even for dangerous game. No rifle will knock an animal down, save maybe a prairie dog, but for big game you need penetration and the ability to break heavy bone. Garret claims their loads are more than enough for any big game. It comes down to the right bullet at the right velocity. But for North America, the 45-70 will take anything you can put a bullet into if you do your part.

mr.frosty · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2005, 05:18:57 AM »

The 45/70 will do whatever you want to do and has taken
the big 6 in Africa.
www.garrettcartridges.com and read the Lupo safaries.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2005, 12:05:12 PM »

As stated the .45-70 will kill any animal on Earth(if you get within the range of the .45-70) but will the country in Africa, or wherever, allow you to use it on dangerous game? Many won't! Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2005, 12:30:38 PM »

Quote from: mr.frosty

The 45/70 will do whatever you want to do and has taken
the big 6 in Africa.
www.garrettcartridges.com and read the Lupo safaries.

Will it work, yes. Is there a better choice, yes.

talon · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2005, 05:00:07 PM »

The Minnesota DNR does not recommend the 45-70 be used on Moose. That organization has some vast experience on the subject. They do note that a 45-70 cartridge uploaded to much higher velocities that the ones you get in the store marked " safe for Trapdoor Springfields" can be used to kill Moose, however, in rifles and pistols designed for them.

Rifle25 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2005, 01:29:31 PM »

I love my Marlin 1895G 45/70. It's my favorite rifle. I also think that the 45/70 might be the most versatile caliber in the world if you don't count long range shooting. I also feel that loaded correctly, it can take anything in North America and do a pretty good job of it. In Africa, things are different. In North America, there are only so many animals you can piss off into attacking you if you don't get them down the first time; namely big bears. In Africa, there are more. I would think the 45/70 would be plenty for a lion or leopard in the hands of a skilled marksman. I've read all the Lupo Safari stuff too, but I would still want something else if all I had was one shot to stop a charging Cape Buffalo, Rhino, or Elephant...especially the Elephant. No offense to any of the ammo manufacturers out there...Garrett, Buffalo Bore, and Corbon make some fine bullets and have made the 45/70 something to be feared for big game animals, but I would take a 416 Rigby, 458 Win Mag, or 458 Lott anyday if all I had was one shot against a very angry Buffalo, Rhino, or Elephant.

msorenso · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2005, 03:25:40 AM »

Don't get brain washed by some of these people that feel their 45-70 has the same killing power of a 458 win or lott. Remember it is one of the weakest 45 calibers. Great for N america. Not practical for africa. And if people want to really debate I have a freind who is a archery nut and took a cape buff with his bow. Like many experienced hunters will say placement is everything and why would you take such a caliber and spend 10 grand on the hunt? You want soemthing that is not debateable and give you plenty power and range. Not marginal. But above all if you don;t listen to me pay attention to the moderators, they know what they are talking about!

gsxrcurt · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2005, 08:01:10 AM »

Thank you all for helping out the newbie. I really appreciate you answering my questions. Still not sure if I want a 45/70 but your input is a big help. Thanks again. :grin:

Rifle25 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2005, 12:17:43 PM »

Best of luck on your search. I would still recommend getting a 45/70. I'm a bit biased, because I have one...but it's a great caliber. You won't be disappointed. Just don't take it elephant hunting! It's fabulous for anything else if proper loads are used.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2005, 02:05:18 PM »

Marginal on Africain game? NOT SO! One recent account well documented has a Marlin GG .45-70 dropping a full grown cape buffalo bull in its tracks and the full grown cow standing 25yrds behind him with one shot. They didn't see the cow because the bull was so big. Works for me.

Todays modern versions of the .45 Goverment are a far cry from the ones developed a century ago.

Whats a .45-0 good for? Everything.

msorenso · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2005, 03:32:56 PM »

gsxrcurt,
don't get me wrong I have a 45-70 in buffalo classic. I love this caliber as well as anyone and very fun to shoot. yes it will kill anything but also remember the comments that are in Peter Capstick book, about how some people have taken elephant with 223 and hit them right in the ear area that went right into the brain and they have dropped with no report. It kind of like the 45-70 yes it will do things but why not use something that was intended for the big 5 or 6. I feel half the nostalgia is using some of these neat caliber. 375,416,458wm. ,458 lott, 470ne,500ne, 505 gibbs,577ne,600ne 700ne, ok ok ill stop. anyway their is a great and not so great post on the africa subject matter i think the name is 45-70 vs. 416 rigby. I will give you a better idea of its power as well. or you can post about the 45-70 and i am sure JJack the moderator will reply. I believe he is a professional hunter in Africa. He has see it all I am sure. Very very informative person!

Jimi · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2005, 02:42:51 PM »

To say that a .45-70 is a proven cape buffalo killer... or that with a well-placed shot it can kill an elephant... come on guys, do you want to send the guy on a suicide mission? Especially with a single shot. Whether it "can" do it isn't really the point now, is it?

Definitely not a good idea... and any PH would be planning to work extra hard for his money with a client using this round, if he would even book the hunt.

That said, it is a fun round to shoot. I used to have a No. 1 in .45-70 and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I was comfortable shooting game out to 100 yards... whitetail mostly... but a black bear wouldn't have concerned me either. It's a great combination, and if you're interested (and depending on your budget) I'd say go for it. But if you're serious about Africa, so long as you stick with plains game I think you'll have fun.

savageak · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2006, 11:49:10 AM »

just wondering how many of you have read garretts penetration comparison test between 47/70 and the other .458 cal .rounds. when shooting any dangerous game i belive in the brown bear rule shoot till it stops moving. one shot kills yea probably ,but mine still get a second round at least ,insurance is better than being surprized when the animal you thought was dead gets back up while you are approachig

rockbilly · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2006, 01:28:36 AM »

I spent a little time in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. At the time I was there (1970) a lot of the beaters were still packing the .303. I have been told the .303 is responsible for killing more African big game (including the big three) than any other single caliber.

Keep in mind, most of Africa was under control of England for a long period. The .303 was available, so that is what most who could not afford a larger caliber used.

I think I would feel safer with the 45-70..... :wink: :wink: :wink:

msorenso · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2006, 04:47:26 AM »

I know one thing, as I am a 45-70 owner and lover, but these guys can't get out of there heads that the 45-70 is the WEAKEST 45 caliber at anylevel! Even 458 Win mag need improving thats why there is the lott, which should have been the winchest in the first place.PH JJ Hack Africa and moderator uses the lott

Rscout6945 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2006, 02:16:37 PM »

Well, I just happen to work with msorenso so I hear this all the time. Our conversations end up something like:

yeah yeah...bigger...yeah yeah...faster...yeah yeah will stop a freight train...yeah yeah would kill a T. Rex. HAHAHA

I have a 45-70 and love it. The only thing in N. america I wouldn't hunt with it is the biggest brown bears. Then I would be thinking about a 375 H&H for that.

Msorenso blames me for getting him hooked on big bore rifles but I don't know how that could be since the only big bore I have is the 45-70

msorenso · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2006, 03:43:55 AM »

AHHH RSCOUT,

You are to blame!!!!!!!!!!!

James B · « **Reply #19 on:** April 06, 2006, 03:11:51 PM »

T he 45-70 may be the weakest 45 caliber, but it can and did kill two cape buffalo with one shot. It penetrated completly through the second Buff as well and was recovered under the hide on the far side. It was a writer from Handloader magazine. He was using the Corbon 435 grain load as I recall. The big six have been taken at least twice with the Marlin lever gun as told on the Garret site. The 45-70 may not be the best choice for dangerous game but PENETRATION is not an issue as with solids or very hard cast bullets, it will out penetrate the 458 Win. the 458 Lott and yes, the 460 Weatherby which penetrated the least in Garrets testing. It also penetrated the whole length from front to back of a big Grizzly in Alaska. Doubt the old war horse if you will but Penetration will never be an issue, you are going to reach the vitals of any critter thats still with us on this planet.