45-70?

I have a Ruger #1 in 45-70. I have killed both deer and hogs with it. I used Rem factory 300 JHP's and they worked wonderfully. Don't know if they expanded much or not as I got complete through and through's. Even if they don't expand, they are already bigger than an expanded .30 cal!

I like big holes. They bleed a lot IF tracking is needed. Highly unlikely.

It is NOT a flat shooter for long range, but the first couple of hundred yards, it is a good thumper. Meat on the ground with good shot placement.

They do not pulverize and bloodshoot meat as bad as the HV calibers. Old timers say you 'can eat right up to the hole' and that is pretty close.

The nostalgia and fun level of the round is really great but so is the performance.

AND for handloaders, it is very, very versatile.
 
hunley.

the 45/70 bug has bit me as well. I always wanted the marlin cowboy model in 45/70 or one of the older guide guns or 20" ones that have the ballard rifiling instead of the micro groove that they now offer.

for me I would load them up with factory hornady leverevolutions or corbon makes some wicked ammo.

I had almost bought an H&R buffalo classic in 45/70 (neighbor owns one and took a buffalo with it last fall), but if I ever move to hog country i would want that fast backup shots that a lever gun can provide.

for me i think either the guide model or the 20" barreled model of marlin will work for me on deer and hogs. get a scope with see through mounts and you should have a fine hunting gun for up close and out to 200yards.

JOE
 
somebody please correct me if I'm wrong but...

I think Marlin started using ballard rifling again not too long ago, at least for the big bore rifles. I bought my 1895 GS sometime between 2005 and 2007, it is stainless and shoots cast performance bullets flawelessly so I've always assumed it's ballard cut. Somebody educate me please.
 
If you think the .45-70 is a thumper....

I've got two .45-70 rifles and a Marlin 1895M Guide Gun in .450 Marlin. The .450 Marlin with the Hornady LeveRevolution ammo is really a THUMPER. Not too much fun on the benchrest table at the range, but when we're stalking big black hogs on Ft Stewart in the creek bottomlands, it's a one-shot DRT round. If you think you want a .45-70, try the .450 Marlin...
 
huh

the 450 can't do anything any better then the 45-70..

But you have a lot more options on reloading the 45-70....




steve
 
I've got two .45-70 rifles and a Marlin 1895M Guide Gun in .450 Marlin. The .450 Marlin with the Hornady LeveRevolution ammo is really a THUMPER. Not too much fun on the benchrest table at the range, but when we're stalking big black hogs on Ft Stewart in the creek bottomlands, it's a one-shot DRT round. If you think you want a .45-70, try the .450 Marlin...
Click to expand...

You must not reload. The 45-70 Gov. and 450 Marlin are ballistically identical if you use the Garrett/Cor-bon/Buffalo Bore loads or do like most of us do, reload. Most over the counter 45-70 loads are only weak because they are loaded so that a trapdoor rifle can handle them. The modern Marlin lever action (and others) can handle modern 45-70 loads; the 450 Marlin is just there for the non-reloading fella who wants full 45-70 power.

Below is just one example from Hodgdon load data...

45-70 (modern rifles)
400 GR. SPR JFP Hodgdon H4198 .458" 2.540" 48.0 1915 31,800 CUP 53.0 2108 49,100 CUP

450 Marlin
400 GR. SPR JFP Hodgdon H4198 .458" 2.520" 41.0 1872 41,200 PSI 45.5 1958 42,600 PSI

So, in this particular example the 45-70 is actually 150 fps faster than the 450 Marlin (2108 v. 1958) using the same bullet and a max load of the same powder.

see more examples for yourself.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Once more, Marlin developed the 450 Marlin for the non-reloading levergun enthusiast who wants a full power big bore.
 
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Another vote for 45-70 over the .450. The 45-70 can do everything the .450can plus a bit more with good handloads or custom loads. The .450 is a good cartridge, but has no advantage for a handloader, at least in traditional lever actions. The Browning BLR is chambered in .450 Marlin where it works better in its box magazine than the rimmed 45-70 would. My favorite 45-70 load uses the Speer 400 grain at 2060 FPS.
 
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