45-70 question...

[Blucollar]

I see alot of people that post good things about these and like having them, what are they mostly using them for?
What advantage if any do they have over other calibers?
I've never had or even fired one but I don't want to miss anything.

[turkeyeye]

Well here in Mississippi they can be used during the primitive weapon season, so I got a handi-rifle in 45-70 for that reason.  But after shooting it a bit, I added to my collection a Marlin guide gun in 45-70.  I can't use it during primitive weapon season like the handi-rifle but it is alot of fun as well. 

[cwlongshot]

I use mine primarily as a short range big game hunting rifle.  With light lead bullet loads it is a joy to shoot on the range!

 As ammunition goes, there are two schools of thought.

1) Push light bullets to HI-Speed attain energy efficient killing power. (Weatherby, Lazzeroni cartridges)

2) A large diameter, heavy for caliber bullet makes real power. ( 45-70,90,110,120, 50-100,120, 505 Gibbs, 470 Nitro, 500 S&W)

 I subscribe to the second theory. Give me a large diameter, heavy bullet with a large meplat at a respectable velocity. EVERY TIME!!

CW

[edgemark]

cwlongshot, at short range I agree, but out much past 200 yards I will take a fast bullet every time.

edge.

[Ranger J]

While I do take mine deer hunting , i just find them a blast to shoot.  It is also fun to watch other peoples eyes when you sit down at the range and start pulling those big long bullets out to shoot.

RJ

[Mac11700]

The Guide guns are a ton of fun...I've owned 5 of them ...but...the Handi in 45-70 can be fun too...provided you take some precautions with them...Add a soft cheek piece to the stock and add a little foam under it...fill the stock up with lead shot and add a Limb Saver recoil pad to it...Now your set up to shoot the heavier recoiling loads without getting too beat up...My favorite load for the 45-70 is using H4198 powder..Remington nickel cases and Remington 9-1/2 primers...and the Nosler 300 grain Partition...I get 2350fps out of my 1895 GS and 2400fps out of a Handi rifle and out of my CVA Elite with out pushing it to the max...My load is stout...very stout...but manageable...It is also about as accurate as what one can hope for for the 45-70 out of any rifle I have shot them in...or have loaded for other people to use...This load is good out past 300 yards even in the wind...and will drop most anything with authority.. Here's my 200 yard groups I shot with my CVA Elite..



..and my report on it...http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,115587.0.html...While these weren't shot with a Handi...accuracy is about the same for all of them...including the Marlins..They are just fun rifles to shoot...you can go from mild...to...wild...with them...


Mac

[edgemark]

Mac11700, pretty impressive shooting at 200 yards with those loads 

Care to share the powder weight with the Partitions...or any loads for that matter?

thanks,
edge.

[quickdtoo]

I shoot Mac's partition load too, start at 50gr and work up to the sweet spot with Rem nickel brass and 9½ primers, seat the bullet to the bottom of the cannelure and crimp, I use a Lee FCD. The sweet spot for me came at a little over 56gr with one hole groups at 100yds, velocity is 2425fps in the 22" Handi and 2450fps in a 32" BC barrel. As Mac said, be prepared for some stout recoil, close to that of the 375H&H.

Tim



EDIT: One point I'd like to make is I wouldn't recommend this load for any frame made before 1999, NN or HN or later would be safe, the older frames are those H&R won't fit high pressure barrels to, and are not as strong as late model frames.

[Mac11700]

Thanks...
It's a sweet load Edge...but...you best have prepped the stock with a soft cheek piece and lead in the bolt hole...I am used to heavy kicking rifles and can take a lot of recoil before it starts effecting me...These will push you back with a Handi...do to the stock design...I wouldn't even suggest trying them with out adding the extra items mentioned...It would be most unpleasant to say the least or with the Marlins too... The beauty of my load is the numbers I get from it...I average a extreme spread in the low single digits with it...and it is the most consistent load I have ever used.Don't try to max it out completely...using the Lee factory crimp jacks the pressure up quite a bit...but...it is still safe for the Marlins...Keep your velocities below 2450fps with the Handi's and you'll be ok...I've found my load window will vary with each rifle...and with my Guide Guns I keep it around 2350fps...my XLR I'll go about 2400-2450 fps..and my Cowboy right at 2300fps for accuracy...

I took a real nice 10pt buck at 152 yards a couple years ago with a quartering away shot...and nomosendaro took a nice 8pt Arkansas mountain buck last year with my hand load while we was hunting together for Black Bear.....Mine dropped after taking a few steps...nomo's was a little closer at about 80 yards and flipped him up over backwards with a front center shot...both were dead when they hit the ground...with  hardly no meat damage to either...

Here's nomosendaro and his buck he shot...He used his XLR to take him with my hand loads..and as soon as I find the disc I have my 10pt on...I'll post a pic of that for ya..You can see the Uncle Mikes shell holder and foam pad he has on his Marlin...It takes all of the face slap out of it...and I use them on all of my rifles except my Elites..



While many will poo-paw premium bullets in this grand old cartridge( or in general usage too ) it is a load you will have utmost confidence in...once you actually use it on something...Then you'll will be convinced as I and others have become...It don't get much better than this...


Edit:

Like Quick said...this loading is for the current NEF 45-70's and current Marlins as well...The older frames & barrels can't handle the pressures of this load...but...even in the older framed 45-70's...this bullet will do exceedingly well...it is designed to open up all the way down to 800-900 fps and still penetrate deeply...and will defiantly put the hurt on what ever you hit with it...to me...it is the best expanding hunting bullet for the 45-70 bar none...

Mac

[Ireload2]

I view the 45-70 mainly as a reloaders round. Ammo is not that easily found and is never cheap.
That said I shoot the 45-70 for fun using smokeless loads that about duplicate the original BP ballistics or less.
I can get a lot of shooting with some of the faster burning powders, however those powders are not for the careless since you can
easily get a double charge in the case.  A pound of powder will load about 500 (five hundred) rounds.
Cheap and fun to shoot.