45/70 for smaller big game

[freddogs]

I've got my new bufalo rifle and I'm ready to do some reloading. I was wondering what everyone likes to use for bullets on deer and black bear size game. I'm not planning any long range shooting or going after elk (right now). I realize that the H&R bufalo rifle is loaded to marlin type loads or less.

[Lawdog]

Fred,

I have been using the Hornady .350 gr. RNSP with great success on large wild hogs.  Have not shot ant deer yet with them but see no reason they should not work just fine on them too.  The price is right too.  Lawdog
 

[86er]

  Fred, I agree with Lawdog. For large heavy game like hogs and elk the 350 Hornady RN is tops. You get bone breaking penetration. For deer I like the 300 Barnes Original or Oregon Trail's 300 HC. That's me, though. There are a lot of fine bullets available for the 45-70. With a little experimenting, you'll find one that suits you just fine.

[jackfish]

FYI, My deer and black bear load:
45-70 Gov't
300 grain Hornady hollow point seated to 2.55" and crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp die
Winchester brass, 2.1" trim
CCI 200 primers
55 grains H4198
2180 fps in my 22" Marlin 1895
2350 fps in my 32" Wesson&Harrington 1871 Buffalo Classic
(edited 3-17, checked my load notes)

When I run out of my 200 or so Hornadys I think I am going to switch to the Speer 300 grain UniCor if they shoot good.

[Coyote Hunter]

freddogs -

Here are two l oads I use for targets, but both should be great on anything up to elk:

Starlline Brass @ 2.095"
CCI 200 primer

Speer 300g UCHP
COL 2.530"
54.5g H4198
2247fps, 10.1fps S.D.

Hornady 350g FN
COL 2.540"
52.0g H4198
2200fps, 8.1fps S.D.

[freddogs]

 Thanks, I'll go out and buy some bullets. Is there a preforence for a certain kind of brass?

[jackfish]

I've used Winchester 45-70 brass for almost 27 years.  I can't see using anything else.