45-70 Zero

[teleman]

Gents,
Now that I have my Handi 45-70 in hand just wanted to ask.., I saw a post from 2008 stating Zero at 25 yds, +3 at 100, -4 at 200. This gives you a Max PBR of approx 165 yds using Hornady 325 gr FTX. Does this still hold true?

[thejanitor]

I was using 405 gr bullets and my rainbow was a bit more curved than that, but the best way to find out is to actually shoot the distances you are asking about for yourself and get used to the new gun and its ability. (and yours)  No disrespect but the 45-70 will kill out a long ways if you get to know it and its bullet path. (lots of shots at many distances)  Petemi has done extensive longer distance shooting with his and knows how it shoots. I have one but have not learned it well enough to go the distances he shoots. Good luck with it, I do not know of one person who dislikes the 45-70 once they find a recoil friendly load.  thejanitor
 

[petemi]

I'd guess your figures with the LE are probably correct.  I too shoot the .405 Remington and it does not shoot as flat.  However, as thejanitor has stated, ya gotta shoot it and learn it.  A mil-dot scope helps a lot, but for some unknown reason, I don't use one.  I shoot the .45-70 much as a traditional long bow shooter does.  I just have a "feel" for it.  It's difficult to explain.  First you have to find a load that's accurate in your rifle and comfortable to shoot and then bang away with it at all different yardages and learn what it does.  This Spring, I intend to slow down my load from the 1950 fps. I'm using to make it more comfortable to shoot.  Then, I'll have to learn it all over again.  When you learn it, you can take a deer, coyote or woodchuck at 300 without a problem.

Pete

[teleman]

Thanks guys

[gcrank1]

Im thinkin' using the the terms 'flat shooting' and '45-70' in the same sentence is an oxymoron.......
But I like mine  , aint really any worse than a 22LR.

[Warthog]

Dang, just what kind of .22 do you shoot?

[quickdtoo]

Here's rimfire trajectory chart including 22Lr.

Tim

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98329

[gcrank1]

Well, what I was getting at is that many of us grew up with the 22LR and have ingrained in our mind the capabilities and trajectory. Some of us still shoot 22LR at 200-300yd. rams on a silhouette course. We learn the gun/cartridge and go do it. I found the 38-55 and 45-70 (and other traditional cartridges) to be an easy transition because of all those 22 rounds fired. If I had grown up with something like the 17HMR it might not have worked so well?
So, to answer the question about 'what kind'......the kind that shoot center, of course  ; only accurate guns are interesting. My best is a BSA Martini International MkIII c/w 20X scope @ about 14# that will shoot flies at 50yd. and stack sub moa at 100 with boring consistency (iffn I do my part  ).

[Singlebarrel]

Look at a ballistics calculator.  A ballistics calculator is no substitue for firing your gun and a lot of people poo-poo them.  However, in my limited experience, I have found that if you have a chronograph and put good information into the calculator, you can get a decent idea of what to expect from your load.  Especially, in relationship to other loads.  I doubt you will ever find a load that is going to shoot where the calculator says it is, but it gives you a place to start.

[gcrank1]

Or the simple beginning: most cartridges will be pretty darn close for initial sighting if you get the bullet to cross the line of sight at about 13-15yd. Then shoot at distance and fine tune, but you should really be on the paper this way. For me, way more fun and instructive to actual shooting than 'the screen'.