Author Topic: .45-70 (Read 1254 times)

GH1 · « **on:** May 22, 2011, 12:53:24 PM »

I'm kicking around the idea of picking up a Handi in .45-70. Can you guys give me the lowdown as far as accuracy, durability, what kind of loads it can handle, stuff like that? I'll most likely use this as a range gun and a back-up/spare to my 1894.
GH1

mechanic · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2011, 01:17:23 PM »

They are very accurate. They will handle hotter loads than the 1894. My 32" BC now has several hundred rounds through it, with no malfunctions. My 22" will soon be catching up. They are one of the best of the Handi's, in my humble opinion.

Ben

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2011, 02:05:12 PM »

Yep.Of course the older ones ot on a SB2 frame are just safe with trapdoor loads

petemi · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2011, 02:18:09 PM »

I've got to agree with Ben. The 22 inch .45-70 was my first Handi and it will be my last, cause I'm taking it across the River Styx when I have to go. I'll let the ferryman try a few shots.

It's very versatile and accurate, handling everything from tiny collarbuttons to 500 grainers. I'm running 405s at 2000 fps, and can shoot a bullet as slow as 800 fps. Just make sure what you get is on a SB2 frame.

Pete

Shu · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2011, 05:39:27 PM »

I think the Handi 45-70 is one of the greatest. As previous posters have stated you can shoot light 140 grain collar buttons up to 600 grainers. Anywhere from nice light plinkers to bone jarring crushers. The GMDR lever loads will give some nice light plinking loads and any decent reloading manual can take you up from there. I reccomend the SB2 framed just like everyone else does.

I just finished my 45-70, I cut the barrel to 16.25 inches, reattached the front sight, recrowned it, since I have the ejector model I put a notch in the rim area per FAQs that Mr. Fred recommended, I didn't like the schnabel fore end so I made a kind of splinter fore end and topped it of with my old weaver 1.5 X 4.5 scope. This gun was always a shooter and when I can get my daughter to sit at the reloading press I'll go shooting again.

Oh and by the way it will never be a spare gun it will quickly become your primary.

spikehorn · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:12:20 PM »

I just purchased number 3. I have a plain Jane 22" that has a Simmons pro diamond 4X32 on it and it likes the Hornady LE rounds. My 22" manlicher has a Nikon pro staff 2X7X32 and it likes the Remington 405gr as does the newest one a 24" stainless steel ultra hunter it also has a Nikon pro staff 2X7X32. Now that I have dies for 45-70 I will start tinkering with rolling my own. I believe the 45-70 handi's are an addiction all their own.

Spanky · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:23:55 PM »

For well over 100 years the 45-70 has been there and done that. It truly is an amazing cartridge.

I've had 7 or 8 Handi's in 45-70 and every one of them has been a great shooter and completely trouble free.
IMO the three "must have" Handi's are 45-70, 30-30 and 357mag.

Spanky

chewie146 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2011, 07:17:42 AM »

I have one that loves the 350 gr. Hornady RN Interlock at around 2050 fps. That's plenty of oomph for anything in NA, and a lot in Africa. It's a kicker, for sure, but it's a long slow kick that doesn't thwack you like a 12 gauge. Shooting form the bench is a bear, but I've never had much fun punching paper from a bench. Out to 200 yards, I can hit a 20 oz Gatorade bottle. Past that, it's starting to lose that "flat" trajectory.

GH1 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2011, 09:15:07 AM »

I am thinking about a new one, will that have the SB2 frame that everyone seems to favor?
GH1

bikerbeans · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2011, 10:39:11 AM »

GH1,

Any NIB 45-70 would be with the SB2 frame unless it is extremely old stock. All the CF rifle caliber Handis have been SB2s since about 1987. I have 1988 vintage handi in 45-70 and it is an SB2. Since it is very easy to check and make sure you have an SB2 by removing the stock and looking at the back of the receiver I check every gun I buy NIB or otherwise.

My 22" 45-70 likes H4198 & Rem 405 grain SPs at 1900 FPS. Capable of subMOA @ 100 yards. IMO, anything much stouter than this load starts getting abusive to the shooter and probably the gun. Also, most 45-70s do real well with the Remington Factory 405 SP loads, which is a lot milder round at about 1300 FPS.

chewie,

My 32" BC in 45-120 also likes those 350 Hornady RNs. I have pushed them past 2,600 FPS but the bullets, the gun and my shoulder seem to like 2,300 to 2,400 FPS a lot better.

BB

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2011, 10:52:25 AM »

I have barrels in 16.5, 22, and 32 inches. I think the 32 will get cut to about 26. The .45-70 is one of the best of all calibers as far as I can tell. I won't be without one, I know that much. You can even use black powder, for light to heavies.

Cat

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2011, 01:34:39 PM »

I have the 32 and the 22", both with BC stocks. I love them so moch the wife gets jealous. I have shot almost exclusively handloaded cast lead out of them and sincerely doubt there is a critter on this earth I couldn't take with them. Everything from 800 fps 145 gr collarbuttons to 1900 fps 550 gr hardcast T-Rex killers (the recoil on that last one was a bit stout...).

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2011, 01:39:37 PM »

Quote from: Catshooter45 on May 23, 2011, 10:52:25 AM

I have barrels in 16.5, 22, and 32 inches. I think the 32 will get cut to about 26. The .45-70 is one of the best of all calibers as far as I can tell. I won't be without one, I know that much. You can even use black powder, for light to heavies.

Cat

I HAVE ONE 16.25...........32 INCHES

one in 24 stainless
and will probly get another in 22

[also 2 marlins...24 and 16 inch]

it let down custer...but its still a good / fun round

tacklebury · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2011, 01:55:53 PM »

I'd have to say that Custer's hard headedness was what let him down, not the round. lol

I love the range of loads for the .45-70 and variability in game terms for it's use. I like it's performance with blackpowder or smokeless, jacketed or unjacketed rounds, so what's not to like?

GH1 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 24, 2011, 12:39:59 AM »

Thanks for the replies everyone, you've got me sold. Now I just need to find a little extra cash.

GH1

Old Fart · « **Reply #15 on:** May 24, 2011, 04:52:43 AM »

Well they sold me also.

Okay I was already sold.

After I get my current projects back from H&R I'm gonna send another for a 45-70.
I currently have a BC, but want a shorter one for packing around.
Like most of the others I'm a big fan of this round.

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:44:38 AM »

Custer let Custer down. Too bad he took others with him. If he'd had six or eight Gatlings with good operators he may have come out ok. But being outnumbered, what, 20 to 1? That's a little tough.

Cat

longBike · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:38:47 PM »

Was in the local gun shop and picked up a used 45-70 for $165. When I got it home noticed it was a 2007 sibling to a 30-30 I bought in the same shop.
Got a chance to put a few rounds through last weekend, a fine shooter off the rack. Will put on a peep sight and this will be the new ranch rifle.

chewie146 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 25, 2011, 04:52:56 AM »

"My 32" BC in 45-120 also likes those 350 Hornady RNs. I have pushed them past 2,600 FPS but the bullets, the gun and my shoulder seem to like 2,300 to 2,400 FPS a lot better.

"

And I thought I had a rifle with some recoil...dang.

Ranger J · « **Reply #19 on:** May 25, 2011, 06:23:13 AM »

Love my 45/70 it is the one barrel I have kept of the about half dozen I have had. I have gone to strictly trapdoor loads of 2400 and TB under 300 gr and 405gr OT hard cast. Both loads are accurate although sometimes the TB loads take a while to get to the target.

It shoots clad bullets fine also but I kind of save them for my 1895. I don't think you can find a more enjoyable gun than a Handi in 45/70. It does help if you reload to keep the price of ammo down though.

RJ

gcrank1 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 25, 2011, 12:11:41 PM »

This last weekend I was hitting a 3' long buff silhouette at 200 yards, offhand with open hunting sights, in the shoulder/heart/lung zone; one miss in 14 after 2 sighters to get the rear clicked up one notch. All loads were 63gr. BP under a 405 cast bullet. It seems hard not to like this old warhorse cartridge. Other than wind drift, the drop/trajectory is about like the .22LR, so most of us have enough 'data from experience' to make walking it in kind of natural. What makes this so is that bullets with similar ballistic coefficients, fired at the same velo, have similar trajectories; way cool.