Author Topic: I can't decide what to buy next - help me decide (Read 1268 times)

MtJerry · « **on:** October 05, 2004, 05:01:06 AM »

My wife wants to buy me a new gun for my birthday (Oct. 24th for those of you who would like to send contributions ).

I have decided I want another NEF Single SHot, but I can't decide what caliber.

I have narrowed it down to the choices above. I want a caliber for deer and will do my own reloading.

Help me before my brains leak out of my head ......

Stan in SC · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2004, 05:07:15 AM »

A 45/70 meets all of your criteria and if you will do a search on here and read all of the posts on this caliber you will be sold on it.

Stan

MtJerry · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2004, 05:13:33 AM »

Thanks for the vote Stan.

Trust me ... I have read EVERYTHING here about all of the above choices :shock:

The real problem is - I WANT THEM ALLLLLLLLL!!!!

Mwahahahahahaha !

Donaldo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2004, 06:28:40 AM »

Well MTJerry,
Think about those three. Which one really stirs your chocolate. :-) Personally I don't care much for the big bores, but with all the talk on this forum about the 45-70 and seeing a kid, think he was about 25, shoot a guide gun with 18" barrel the other day at the range, I am beginning to think I might like one. I tell you this thing was a loudenboomer, had a muzzle brake and all. He shot one big ragged hole, 3 shots, at 100 yds with it, using handloads. He was only about 150 lbs soaking wet, said he did not own anything smaller than a 7mm mag. Said he loved anything that made a big boom and kicked hard. :shock: Go figure that one.

Longcruise · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2004, 06:36:26 AM »

Ok, Jerry, I just voted for the 7-08. Now i see that the 7-08 and 45-70 are neck and neck. Get the 7-08 The 45-70 is a fabulous cartridge But not in the Handi (go ahead guys pour on the heat

).

The problem with the Handi in 45-70 is that the whole set-up is too light to shoot the heavy bullets in comfort. A versatile 45-70 should weigh in at at least 9 lbs IMO. Read through the threads here on the 45-70 and notice how often 300 to 350 grain bullets are mentioned :eek: They make fine loads but what's special about a 45-70 shooting those light bullets? answer: Nothing! may as well be shooting a .44 mag or .45 long colt. Even black powder velocities of around 1300 fps with classic 500 grain bullets will whomp you hard in the Handi configuration.

The 7-08 OTOH has good bullet selection, good balistics and is useful for just about anything you might hunt in North America.

MtJerry · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2004, 07:25:43 AM »

Donado - thanks for the comments. "What sirs my chocolate" therein lies the problem - they all do!

I think my facination with the 45-70 is just that - a facination to see deer and other game "react" to a big bore. Certainly it has poor ballistics, but I plan on limiting my shots with it to under 200 if I get it - OR if someone convinces me otherwise :grin:

Longcruise - thanks for your comments as well. I have never fired a 7-08, and am facinated by that round. I currently own a Ruger .270 (M77)that shoots like a lazer-beam. BUT - I want to hunt with a single-shot!

Geesh - I'm right back where I started. SOMEONE please break the tie and help me decide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-D :-D

LMM · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2004, 09:28:58 AM »

Put a Limbsaver recoil pad on and it will be no problem shooting the heaviest loads.

handirifle · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2004, 10:17:07 AM »

MtJerry
I voted for the 45-70 mainly cause you said you already had a laser round so why not mix it up a bit. the 7-08 is a waterd down 270 (or very close) and the 308 is boring.

So to make your present special, get something not too many shoot. As has been said before, it can be loaded from mild to wild.

I let go some handloads in my BC with a steel buttplate and even though they were hot (1900-2000fps 400gr speer) it was tolerable. The Handi might not feel quite as nice but then again you have a good pad on it too.

TOMMYY01 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2004, 11:10:55 AM »

Well, if you get a chance to hunt big north american game, the 45-70 is the way to go. I like the knockdown power( like a sledgehammer). I'm not into tracking at all. The pioneers used it for buffalo, so go figure :-D :-D
tommy

hellacatcher · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2004, 12:50:37 PM »

I want all of them

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2004, 12:56:34 PM »

deer hunting-----7-08, All around hunting shooting------308, just plain fun to shoot and hunt with-------45-70.
I know this will help you make the right choice :-D

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2004, 11:01:50 PM »

Well I'll throw in my nickles worth here...I voted for the 45-70...even though I have owned a very good shooting 308 Survivor...and I've owned a 7-08 before too...that was in a Remington 788...right after they lagitamized the load...but I've owned 3- 45-70's...all of them Marlins and my latest is a 1895GS non-ported one I got 3 weeks ago...I just love this cartridge.......as LMM said...put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it...and I'll add...put some shot in the buttstock to bring the weight up...and you'll have a great easy to load for rifle that will amaze you......and yes...I am one of those who advocate using a 300 grain bullet....and for what your wanting...and 200 yard deer cartridge the 45-70 will do nicely...download the ballistic program Point Blank...plug in a 300 grain Nosler at 2300 fps and you'll see just why I advocate using them for deer out to 200 yards...a 4" kill zone...you'll have a 181 yard PBR.....6" kill zone...208 yards P.B.R.......8" kill zone...230 yard P.B.R.......I site 3" high at 100 yards...I'm down 9.54" at 250 yards...and still retaining 1368 ft.lbs of energy...or you can always go the more traditional route and use a 405 grain load as well.lots of folks do...and have great luck with them too...there is a wealth of information on the cartridge and most all of the various loads from the truely mild...to insane levels...so there you go...have fun deceiding

Good Luck

Mac

rmtaylor · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2004, 03:25:18 AM »

Before I vote I would like to know what you have now.

Richard

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2004, 03:39:45 AM »

7mm-08 7mm-08 7mm-08 7mm-08 7mm-08 7mm-08 7mm-08 7mm-08 OK maybe I would get a 45-70 too.

BBF

MtJerry · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2004, 04:22:39 AM »

I can't say enough how much I appreciate the votes and especially the responses!

rmtaylor -

I currently have the following:

Ruger M77/MkII in .270 that shoots like a lazerbeam with handloads. I will never get rid of this gun, but I want to hunt with a single shot!

NEF Handi Rifle in .223 that also shoots well with handloads. I LOVE THIS GUN, but want a single shot to hunt LARGER game with.

Mac11700 - I have had pointblank for several years. I have looked at the ballistics and was thinking along the same lines. THANKS!

gwhilikerz - you were a BIG help :-D

I posted this poll at another site I frequent (http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forum/index.php?s=) come visit us!

The results there and here add up the following:

7-08 7
308 15
45-70 17

Kinda looks like the presidential race don't it :eek: :shock: :-D

Looks like the 45-70 might be the ticket. Gonna let the poll runa few more days though

THANK YOU TO ALL of you commented!

Jerry

marv · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2004, 04:22:49 AM »

My Sugestion is, buy one of the calibers ( ANY) Maybe 7-08 or 308,
Thence send your receiver in for the 45-70 barrel or both of the other
barrels. That would fill all your dreams, until you got another urge.
Best of luck

You might end up like me bought 3 NEF's and 3 extra barrels Not enough
time get loads worked up for them, Marv.

rmtaylor · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2004, 12:54:55 PM »

I voted for the 45-70. You will have a good range of calibers. I put a mercury recoil suppressor in mine and now can shoot from the bench with no recoil issues. I don't think I would have even noticed in a hunting situation but now I have shot from the bench enough to have complete confidence that I WILL be very close to where I am aiming.

Richard

Hildy · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2004, 02:59:39 PM »

Although the 308 is losing right now in your poll, I will have to give it the nod. You can fire bullets from 110grn HPs or BTs up to 220grn solids for the large game. A very good all around caliber...

Hildy

Donaldo · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2004, 04:29:07 PM »

Hey, this is a birthday present, you want something special. Something you will remember. Who wants an "all around caliber"? Thats like vanilla ice cream when you have a choice of rocky road or chocolate razzberry. Go for the gusto. Get the damn 45-70 or you ain't got no hair you know where.

handirifle · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2004, 10:58:23 AM »

Looks like the crowd favors the big bore.

Wonder what the electoral college will pick for ya :wink:

Someday I'll get another 45-70 just for fun.

MtJerry · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2004, 11:01:31 AM »

I think you are right handirifle - today's results from both sites I posted the poll on:

7-08 = 7
308 = 16
45/70 = 24

Should I post apoll on what to name this new gun? :-D :-D

Donaldo · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2004, 02:20:18 PM »

If it were me, I would call it my "squirrel Rifle" and then see how they react. :-D :-D :-D

ScatterGunner · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2004, 06:28:51 PM »

MtJerry -

a few months ago i did the same thing. i wanted a new handi but couldn't decide between a 7mm-08, a 25-06 and one other caliber that i can't quite recall. so i put the question to the learned group here.

votes were cast, discussion ensued, even some heated debate. in the final analysis, i ended up getting neither the winning caliber or any of the choices ! the gun ended up being a 'barrel order' 223 with iron sights put together with a receiver i got from BBF and stock from who knows !

however, you asked, get the 45-70, the 45-70, the 45-70, the 45-70, the 45-70, the 45-70, the 45-70, the 45-70, the 45-70.

that's my vote :grin:

sg

MtJerry · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2004, 04:08:35 AM »

Talked with the wife last night - gonna order the "squirrel rifle" today :grin:

Big game opener is Oct. 23rd. Hope it gets here before then.

Gotta go buy some 45-70 dies and, powder, bullets, primers, etc. Should have a few loaded by the time it gets here.

I am as excited a kid the night before Christmas!!!!!!!

Longcruise · « **Reply #24 on:** October 14, 2004, 07:38:30 AM »

Hey, don't sell the 45-70 short as a squirrel rifle!

http://willowlake.business.directnic.com/45-70_fun.htm

Still think you shoulda got the "7" but there is always next time!! :grin:

MSP Ret · « **Reply #25 on:** October 14, 2004, 10:41:02 AM »

Good for you MtJerry, I don't think there's anyone here that ever regretted buying a 45-70. Besides, everyone needs a big gun!!!...<><.... :grin:

MtJerry · « **Reply #26 on:** October 14, 2004, 10:46:44 AM »

It's Here! It's Here!!!

I picked it up today!!!!!!

wwwooooohhoooooo

ok, gotta buy dies, brass, bullets and 457 muzzle loader balls, primers, powder ...... and a sling ...... and a williams FP peep sight ........

wweeeeeeeeeee !!!!!

MSP Ret · « **Reply #27 on:** October 14, 2004, 12:12:41 PM »

.457 muzzleloader balls? What kind of loads are you planning on loading up? No matter what you are going to load you might look at between .358 minimum up to .460, especially in soft lead ML balls. Please let me know what you plan on loading, it sure sounds interesting, and different....<><.... :?

MtJerry · « **Reply #28 on:** October 14, 2004, 03:21:03 PM »

A fellow poster at another site (someone I TRUST with handload info) who has an NEF 45-70 shared with me his "plinking" load

9.0gr of WW231
457 muzzleloader ball (145gr. hornady)
Lightly flare the casemounth. Seat the ball midway and taper crimp. He says the are VERY quiet!

I can't wait to try them out.

Poll

What caliber should Jerry buy?

Author Topic: I can't decide what to buy next - help me decide (Read 1268 times)