45/70 handi...help...

[single shot shooter]

i'm thinking of buying a 45/70 handi. (standard with wood) what do you guys think of this gun? feedback from owners would be great :grin:  thanks
SSS

[quickdtoo]

Welcome to GBO! I'd have to say that the .45-70 is THE most recommended handi caliber on this forum, and I have one to backup that statement due to the folks here, it's all their fault, and I thank em all!! You will too! I polished the bore of mine with non-embedding bore paste and a tight patch on a jag before I even shot it knowing that they shoot best after a bunch of rounds have gone down the bore, mine shot 2.25" groups at 100yds on it's first trip to the range with everything I ran down the bore from recommended handloads to factory stuff. Have fun with yours, you'll love it, it's a great choice.

[single shot shooter]

thanks soon as i get some spending cash i'll add one to the cabinet :grin:

[Joel]

I've been shooting my wood stocked 45/70 for 13, maybe 14, years and it's pretty much replaced the other rifles I used to use.  Since mine was an early one in the then new Handi series, I've sort of customized it over the years by turning it into a straight gripped butt, refinished the wood, filled in that stupid swivel hole in the forend and added a Williams Barrrel Band that I modified to fit(for the sling)..Pachmyr recoil pad with some black/copper spacers(I make knives) etc.  It's carried the same Burris 1.75 X 5 scope loctited into place since I bought it.  Shoots 1" groups or less with anything I care to fire through it as far as factory/handloads(except Remington 300's....all over the paper).  Killed 22 Deer with it with 24 shots...none ever escaped wounded.  Couple of finishing shot were needed when I was using a bullet(300 gr Barnes semi-spitzer) that didn't expand and I wan't about to let them deer die slow like just to claim a one shot kill.  Fine rifle far as I"m concerned.

[Joel]

I've been shooting my wood stocked 45/70 for 13, maybe 14, years and it's pretty much replaced the other rifles I used to use.  Since mine was an early one in the then new Handi series, I've sort of customized it over the years by turning it into a straight gripped butt, refinished the wood, filled in that stupid swivel hole in the forend and added a Williams Barrrel Band that I modified to fit(for the sling)..Pachmyr recoil pad with some black/copper spacers(I make knives) etc.  It's carried the same Burris 1.75 X 5 scope loctited into place since I bought it.  Shoots 1" groups or less with anything I care to fire through it as far as factory/handloads(except Remington 300's....all over the paper).  Killed 22 Deer with it with 24 shots...none ever escaped wounded.  Couple of finishing shot were needed when I was using a bullet(300 gr Barnes semi-spitzer) that didn't expand and I wan't about to let them deer die slow like just to claim a one shot kill.  Fine rifle far as I"m concerned.  About the only drawback I can think of, far as the 45/70 version goes, is that it's on the light side for some of the loads folks push through it.  Guilty of that myself, but  they kick a lot less in the field than at the bench.  There are way's to tame the recoil with Mercury recoil reducers/some of the new Hi-tech recoil pads if you are thinking about that factor in shooting a 45/70.  Not to mention moderate loads(oh HORRORS!!!!!).  Have fun if you get one.....I do.

[Cottonwood]

I replaced the barrel on my H&R SB-2 Ultra from 35 Whelen to a 45-70 which I am much happier with.  I've owned several Buffalo Classics and have been reloading the 45-70 cartridge now for some time.  The groups produced by this rifle are great.

I'm going out on Sunday morning for our general rifle opener with my H&R Ultra in 45-70.  If I find my deer, I will report back on my results as this will be this rifles first kill.  My normal hunting range with this rifle doesn't go beyond 50 yards in the dark woods around here, and at 50 yards I can make one ragged cloverleaf.

Didn't get my cards sent in for the postal match, but should have.  :oops:

[single shot shooter]

thanks guys sounds like a good rifle  :grin: . I would love to see some pics of your customized 45/70 handis. allways loveto see a good gun smeone has made thier own  :grin: .

[MtJerry]

Hey Montanan!

I got mine last Friday, loaded ammo on Saturday and shot it last Sunday.  Will be hunting with it this coming Sunday as well.

It will be the first kill with mine as well.  Wanna make a side-bet on who gets one first?  :-D

[shaner]

hey jump on the deal clinton has on his 45/70. its  great deal with a extra 12ga barrel hes in the classified ads  on this  list

[quickdtoo]

thanks guys sounds like a good rifle  :grin: . I would love to see some pics of your customized 45/70 handis. allways loveto see a good gun smeone has made thier own  :grin: .

You asked!  :grin:
.45-70, laminated Ultra Varmint stock, Limbsaver recoil pad and S&W 1.5-6x38scope


.204 Ruger, Camo laminated stock, Tasco TS624 scope


.25-06 Rem Ultra Varmint, Burris FFII 3-9x40 scope. Also have .223 and .243 barrels for this frame.


.357 Rem Maximum on Pardner frame and 1.5-4.5 Bushnell scope.

[MtJerry]

quickdtoo -

I hate it when you do that.  

I just bought two new handi's last week - now I have the urge to go and buy MORE!!

[quickdtoo]

Hi, my name is Tim, I am a handiholic....... :-D

[TOMMYY01]

I think you struck a cord with the 45-70.    I love mine and can't wait to put a deer down with it. :mrgreen: You'll find a lot of 45-70 lovers here  
                                                           tommy

[Deadeye47]

Welcome to the handihaulic club single shot shooter!! You won't regret making a 45-70 Handi your first rifle of many more to come!!    Very nice collection Quickdtoo!  No laminates in my bunch but that just may change....I have just got to learn how to post pictures!!

[quickdtoo]

Thanks Deadeye! If you have a digital camera, posting pics is easy. After uploading and editing the pics from your camera onto your PC, just go to http://www.hunt101.com/ and register, it's free. After registering hit the upload pics button and browse to the pic on your PC, select and submit it, choose the image URL below the pic after the upload and paste it here with your text. Easy as buying a new Handi! Hunt101 is sometimes unavailable but one of the few I know of that is still free. Photobucket.com works better and faster but is not taking any free registration at this time. If your ISP provides space for your own web site, you can host your own, that's another option.

[single shot shooter]

nice guns quickdtoo. like them laminates do ya? they sure are purdy. i may have to buy a .22 .22 mag .44 mag  and 12 ga barrels with mine . a bit of an addiction aint it guys?

[quickdtoo]

Thanks SSS! I'm new to the NEFs, bought a .223 Ultra Varmint earlier this year, added the .243 and .25-06 barrels, bought a .357 maxi and a handi frame from Bigborefan, then bought laminated stocks from Dennis and Helton Precision, had a .45-70 barrel put on the handi frame and installed the cin laminate, bought a .204 ruger handi last week and put the camo laminated on it yesterday. Just had the opportunity to buy the lam stocks, so I'm puttin them to the best use I can. I've bought more rifles in the last 7 months than I've bought the rest of my life, lovin it! It's a sickness I can live with!!!  :roll:

[single shot shooter]

you may be able to answer my question. is a tracker 1 or 2 12 ga slug gun an sb1 or sb2 frame? would NEF fit a 45-70 bbl to it? thanks

[quickdtoo]

I believe the tracker is an SB1, but I'm not sure cuz I don't own one. The best way to find out what barrels can be added is to call or email NEF with your frame serial number, they will tell you what can be fitted. There's also a list of serial number prefixes in the NEF FAQ sticky above.

email em at   hr1871@hr1871.com

or call em at (978) 630-8220

[single shot shooter]

thanks quickdtoo i'll shootem an email. no pun intended

[hellacatcher]

It is all Tommy 101 that I have one and it is a hoot to shoot. :?