son wants a 45/70

[Plenty Coups]

So he is looking at a handi w/synthetic stock and 22" barrel. I have the BC w/32" barrel. Would the extra 10" help him? Help reduce recoil? Help with accuracy w/open sights? He'll use it on WT and Elk. Shots will probably be no more than 200yds max.  What yah think gents?

[BBF]

I guess you could use the Long Tom as a walking stick as well  
 
When you shoot 200 yards with that cartridge you are going to feel recoil if you want to flatten out the trajectory to something better then a rainbow.
I don't know if you ever used the Hornady On-Line Ballistic calculator to check out what the trajectory for any Jacketed .458 cal bullet is at the velocity a 45-70 can throw.
 

[mechanic]

It's kind of a trade off.  The synthetic has a recoil pad, and weight can be added to the stock.  Other than having a longer sight plane, the extra barrel will not be a great advantage in hunting, IMO.  I have both.  I hunt with the short barrel.
 
Ben

[Sourdough]

First thing you did not say is how old he is.  That makes a difference.  Let us know then I will give you my thoughts.

[S.E.Ak]

My favorite 45/70 handi has half your barrel lenght at 16".Its quick in the alders up close and will lob at 200yds good enough for pass throughs on deer. I shoot the big fast stuff out of my #3 though as its a bit much for me in the little gun

[cwlongshot]

Mornin,
As stated the longer barrel will provide longer site radius. Longer distance between the sites equates to better more consistant accuracy.  Obviously this is negated with the use of a scope. The longer barrel in and of itself is no more or no less accurate reguardless of over all legnth.

Sure the longer barrel will tame recoil some. Because of weight, BUT the longer barrel modle also has steel but "pad" ( Also mentioned)  So it is a trade off. 

I prefer a scope and shorter barrel. Shooting my handloads I would not even hesitate on a Elk out to about 300 yards with my 45-70 rifle. As long as I had a good rest. The power avalible from my 400 Gr bullet at 2000+fps will do the job.

CW

[petemi]

The scoped 22 inch is by far the better hunting rifle.  It's lighter, shorter and quicker swinging especially in brush or a confined space.  It is just as accurate as the longer barrel.  As was mentioned, you didn't say how old your son is or how big is he.  Hunting, I chuck a 405 gr. Remington at 2 grand and I'm comfortable out to 300 yards.  That load'll make a kid never want to see a rifle again.  If he is a youngster, I'd recommend a .357 reamed to maximum giving him the versatility of the .38, mag and maxi.  You can add the .45-70 barrel when he grows into it.  The lower recoil trapdoor loads work well, but you've got to learn the rainbow.  They are by far not a point blank after 100 yards.  Even with the max loads in the .45-70, you've got to know where they are at 200 and 300 yards.

I forgot to add the flinch factor.  If a kid, or anyone for that matter, develops a flinch, it can take forever to get over it.  My 16 year old grandson is a big man.  Well over 6 ft. and close to 300 lbs.  He never shot anything but a .22LR.  For that reason I started him out with the CF .22s and the 7mm-08 and worked him gradually into the big bores later.  Consequently, as a marksman, he puts this old man to shame.

good luck,

Pete

[OSOK]

It's all been covered above. I have the 32" BC and love it, but I wanted a Buffalo Rifle, not just a .45-70. I have shot both. I don't think either version was more accurate. If I had just been looking for a .45-70 to hunt with, the 22" synthetic (especially the new Handi-Grip stock) would be the way I would go. As stated above, you haven't told us how old/big your son is. I have always felt synthetic stocks mitigated recoil a tiny bit. Factory 400 gr. loads out of a 22" barrel feel just like shooting 20 ga. field loads to me, but I am 6'-2" and 275 lbs. When my son was 7 I started him out with a 20 ga. Handi youth model, no recoil pad. First shot brought tears to his eyes and he didn't want to fire it again. I quickly put a slip-on recoil pad on it, convinced him to try it again, and he never slowed down. It ruined the advantages of the youth stock, but it allowed him to shoot the gun without being beat around.  Your son may want a .45-70 because you have one, but a "Different" one so it won't look like he is copying you. Let him get what HE wants, he'll shoot it more. If you need to load some reduced recoil loads for him and don't reload, there is no better way to justify the equipment with the lady in charge than,
It's for the boy"! A Lee Classic Loader is cheap, doesn't require a bench, and is one of the best stress relievers I have found. It is also a nice way to introduce your son to reloading.

[Plenty Coups]

My son is 27YO. 6' 250# and benches 275. Recoil is not a factor for him. He has taken many a pop on the chin and then chuckles whilst he bends/pounds the aggressor into something resembling a crushed beer can. He calls my 7mm-08 a toy gun. HE LIKES THINGS WITH POWER. If ballistics are similar I guess the 22"er is the way to go. I am old fashioned and like the styling and feel of the BC. Will he need a different front sight like I had to on my BC? Or will the sights match better. He may end up with a scope on it. WHO THE HECK KNOWS!!!!! KID'S JEESH!!!!!

[mcwoodduck]

My question back is, how big is your son?
If he is still growing the longer barrel length adds weight and reduces recoil but if you watch kids shoot a gun that is too heavy for them they lean way back to change the center of gravity  and recoil that would be mild to you or I is enormous for a kid.  The 22" barrel and  cowboy loads my be exactly what he needs and a Pallet stock that has been trimmed and a recoil pad installed until he grows into the plastic stock.  Good spray paint will make the pallet stock look like the plastic forend or a pallet foreend can get a custom paint job.
Another option is the 45 Colt carbine and use 44 mag loads for hunting and cowboy loads for practice getting used to the rifle.  The barrel can be up reamed out to 454 or 460 both equal to or exceeding 45-70 with standard loaded 300 grain bullets.  A 22"  45-70 barrel can be fitted later to the carbine to make a short BC or a full BC.  Have I spent enough of your money yet?

[ratdog]

  i shot the bc and the 22 inch barrel handi accuracy is about the same the 22 inch handi they balance real good in your hand and are light. you can load them to your degree recoil you can tolerate.i have been shooting the 45-70 since i was 16 no problem.

[Swampman]

The BC is just too heavy.

[Buckwheat Jack]

Given a real choice, no difference in price, I would probably take the 32" barrel. But I'm a traditionalist who likes longer rifles. Weight is not a real factor to me. My ML is a 34" 58 caliber and weighs a ton, but I like it.
That being said, I have the 22" Handi. I love it. I use open sights and can hit a buffalo target(not full sized...about 3'X4') at 200 yards with no problems. a 450gr cast bullet over 24g IMR 4198 produces mild recoil and good accuracy for me.

[Sourdough]

OK, he's a big boy.  He should have no trouble handling the extra weight of the BC.  So it will come to personel preferance.  Have him try eash and decide which is suited to his liking.

[gcrank1]

I have the SS-Ultra Hunter, 24" barrel, and laminated stock (which add a little weight over pallet wood or syn.) it handles and balances great and I like it a whole bunch. It doesnt come with sights, and I have thought about putting a set on, but the 3X Weaver works great, thank you.
I have shot open sights and competition with peeps and front globes for years. On a hunting rifle I do not like a globe front! The globe will obscure your game picture and in some light, like deep woods, you might not find the front post. Ive tried.......I also have used gold and ivory beads, of differing diameters, and for hunting prefer the 1/16" gold bead, it contrasts in color in all times of the year better than the ivory for me. I have not tried the newish 'glow' sights, but reports here are very positive.
BTW, that SS-UH comes in a lam thumbhole stock which doesnt suit me, but may your son. Mine is switched out with 'std' H&R lams is is nigh on to perfect  .