Author Topic: Contemplating a .45-70 Handi.... (Read 1316 times)

MacTech · « **on:** October 15, 2011, 12:03:39 PM »

The .45-70 round intrigues me, something about that big ol' chunk of lead just appeals to my baser "caveman" instincts, simple physics states not much can stand up to a big chunk of lead moving at moderate velocities

I was planning on trading my Yugo SKS towards a Marlin 1895G lever action and had one on 7 day hold at my gunshop, but when I went in today to make the trade, they had just taken in a near-mint-condition Marlin 39A .22 lever action, a 1980 vintage with no crossbolt safety or rebounding hammer, and a set of Williams FP peeps on it, and knowing how rare it is to find a 39A for sale in my region, let alone a proper 39A without the accursed "Lawyer-safe" nannyware crap on it, I had to move quickly, so the 39A came home with me, instead of the 95G

Anyway, while I was waiting for my NICS to clear, I found a H&R Handi in .45-70, not the Buffalo Classic, (they had two there, but they were both too expensive, and the balance seemed all wrong, too barrel heavy), the shorter barrel on this gun gave it a nice neutral balance and pointability, so I figured this would be a better gun for experimenting with the .45-70 with than the Marlin, the action looks a lot stronger than the Marlin levergun, and I should be able to load up spitzer profile bullets in it, seeing as it's a single shot, I'd really like to compare accuracy between a blunter point .45-70 bullet and a pointer bullet of equal weights....

So I put the Handi on 7-day hold, so I have time to think about it

What's the recoil like with commercial ammo in a .45-70 Handi?
I figure the Handi is an ideal platform for the .45-70, after all, if you miss your prey with a .45-70, it's probably not going to hang around for the second shot...

jim36 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2011, 12:47:45 PM »

Contemplating is a waste of time. Go get it. You will love it. One of my favorite. I have more than one. Does that tell you something?

Jim <")))><

rdlange · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2011, 01:00:42 PM »

I contemplate my 45-70 every day. Yesterday I also contemplated the half price new starline brass I got from a local guntrader deal. Later today I'll be at a stationary store where I'm hoping to contemplate 9# 25% rag paper.

It's much easier to contemplate a 45-70 Handi in your own home. You can fondle it without raising eyebrows. Sleep with it even. You'll like it. And then you'll know how we feel.

Be Well...

bikerbeans · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2011, 02:12:39 PM »

Mact,

The only factory loads I have shot are the 405 grain Remington SPs and the Hornday 325 grain LEs. To me in a bone stock Handi 22" 45-70 the Hornadys have a little more recoils than the slower, heavier Remingtons; 2000 fps versus about 1300 fps. I do not think the recoil of either is all that bad and to me is less than a 30-06 or 270 win in the Handi rifle. For launching big chunks of cast lead you can't go wrong with Handi 45-70, even with the short throat common on this rifle you can still load longer than the OAL you are stuck with on a levergun.

BB

spikehorn · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2011, 03:07:24 PM »

I contemplated a Manlicher 45-70 that's now home with me, I contemplated a stainless steel ultra hunter 45-70 that's now home with me, I contemplated a 45-70 Shikari that's now home with. I didn't contemplate very long on any of them. The Rem 405 loads Are about like a 20ga with field loads all 3 of mine shoot these extremely well. I had a regular pallet wood 22" 45-70 that shot the hornady LE rounds very well, and have more noticeable recoil when shooting from the bench, but alas I traded that one for a much coveted 280 Rem handi rifle

manatee1947 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2011, 03:09:24 PM »

My handloads are pretty close to std factory 300 hp loads, the "regular" 45/70 has a pretty good recoil pad and they are no problem to shoot. You will probably find cast loads generally lighter and more pleasant even.

Dinny · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2011, 03:27:43 PM »

Quote from: jim36 on October 15, 2011, 12:47:45 PM

Contemplating is a waste of time. Go get it. You will love it.
Jim <")))><

Jim said it all! STOP!!

Thanks, Dinny

tacklebury · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2011, 04:41:55 PM »

+12 or +13 hehe Get some Hornady 300 gr. HP's or 350 FP's and dump about 46-48 gr. Reloader7 in each case.

Good well below pressure limit loads and quick and easy. I shoot em with the std. Irons on my BC out to 250 and hit a 6" dirty bird target.

I'm wanting a stubby .45-70 barrel, but I'm going to save enough to get a shorty and a .223 barrel factory fitted soon.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2011, 06:08:06 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on October 15, 2011, 04:41:55 PM

I'm wanting a stubby .45-70 barrel, but I'm going to save enough to get a shorty

How long does it take to save up $0.79 for a WallyWorld hacksaw blade?

BB

BluDino · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2011, 03:33:04 AM »

Get it, you'll love it, and the possibilities for reloading are just about as endless as your imagination. There is a reason for the reemergence of the old 45-70. Mike

Venturino said in the latest Handloader that there were 15 original Sharps cartridges and he has worked extensively with all but two of them and came to the conclusion

that the old original 45 2 1/10" (45-70) is the best of the bunch.

As for recoil, it is very subjective. The Handi can be loaded as heavy as most can stand, close to .458 Win Mag, if you like. But it doesn't have to be. Tune it to your

shoulder. I shoot a lot of 300 grain 1600 fps loads and find them much more tolerable than the 30 '06. I've also got some 500 grain lead loads that make me giggle like

little girl when I pull the trigger. Who knew getting hit that hard could be so much fun!? There's something indescribably great about squeezing the trigger on a round

that you know is going to hurt but doing it well and accurately anyway. You know that girly men can't possibly do that.

As for pointy versus blunt and which is more accurate. It doesn't matter. I have yet to find a .458 bullet that isn't lights out accurate with my Handi, pointy or blunt.

And, in my humble opinion, you're on the right track with the shorter barrel. Much easier to carry in the woods. Even the short barrel gets heavy if you carry it for a

couple of miles. That's a lot of steel.

As for factory loads, as bikerbeans said, the 405s thump less than the 300/325 class rounds. I wouldn't want to go downrange with a catcher's mitt and try to field

either, though. 'Simple physics', you know. $:-\$

BluDino · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2011, 03:38:37 AM »

One other thing, MacTech. If you're going to scope it, pay attention to eye relief. Those heavy loads can really come back atcha. I saw a guy at the gun show with a guide gun and a very impressive crescent scar on his eyebrow. He was selling. That's very funny unless it happens to you! You will need at least 3 inches of eye relief on your selected scope and 4 would be better.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2011, 02:51:49 PM »

I believe that one's life is not complete unless at least a little time has been spent with a 45-70

.

surehuntsalot · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2011, 03:55:56 PM »

love my 45-70 Handi,wouldn't trade it for nothing

tacklebury · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2011, 04:00:12 PM »

Quote from: bikerbeans on October 15, 2011, 06:08:06 PM

Quote from: tacklebury on October 15, 2011, 04:41:55 PM
I'm wanting a stubby .45-70 barrel, but I'm going to save enough to get a shorty

How long does it take to save up $0.79 for a WallyWorld hacksaw blade?

BB

NOOO cannot cut the BC.

Keeping that too. I want a stubby fitted to the frame though. hehe

sobeit · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2011, 01:28:16 PM »

RECOIL ! after my 7.5# w/a nice 1.5x6 scope (in pic) tried to create a third eyebrow I switched to a 2.5 with 6"s of eye relief...now I just smile.

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2011, 01:31:56 PM »

This is my answer to the 45-70's recoil. I put the scope rail forward on the barrel. I got no interest in scope eye!

Cat

BBF · « **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2011, 01:55:26 PM »

There aren't that many pointy bullets in .458.
FYI anytime you put 40 gr of smokeless powder behind any 300 gr and up bullet you will KNOW IT

Cast or jacketed for that matter.

Consider there was a reason that the "Horsesoldiers" had there Ammo reduced to 55 gr of BP from the standard 70 gr the footsoldier used.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 18, 2011, 02:16:51 PM »

When they shot to the side of the horse they had to dismount and re-adjust the saddle!

gcrank1 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2011, 02:21:42 PM »

Na, it was the 'cavalry roll, a variation of the Eskimo roll in a kayak; but practicing it was tough.
BUT REALLY GUYS.......the 45-70 with original loads is not a man beater, unless you are on the receiving end of the bullet.

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 18, 2011, 02:55:11 PM »

No recoil to speak of. I'd highly suggest the Remington 405 grain load to start with.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #20 on:** October 18, 2011, 06:52:28 PM »

"Try it, you'll like it" or put more plainly,

buy it! buy it!
BTW I think there is a 45-70 barrel for sale in the classifieds as we speak, don't know if it's still available.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,241798.0.html

xhare · « **Reply #21 on:** October 18, 2011, 07:25:08 PM »

Yes, get one. I have two Handi 45-70s and I am thinking about a 3rd. I have owned 2 other 45-70s, a Browning 1885 and a Knight KP-1. I still have the Handis, but not the other two.

shvlhead.45 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 18, 2011, 09:17:53 PM »

I have the Handi 22" and a Marlin 1895G in .45-70 and neither will leave my safe while I can do anything about it.

Recoil is more push than kick, especially when using store bought ammo (trap door level loads). 50 rounds of Marlin level hand loads thru a BC in one setting will leave a nice bruise on your shoulder but your baser "caveman" instincts will be sedated for a little while.

Just do it, you know you have to just to satisfy your curiosity.

shvlhead.45

upstech76 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 19, 2011, 04:49:17 AM »

There is just something about slinging large chunks of lead downrange that exites me! Its also a nice bonus that you don't need a spotting scope to see where your hitting.