45-70

I enjoy the 45-70 quite a bit . My hand loads are easy on the shoulder and still put deer meat in the freezer. The Remington 405 grain factory load is about what I try to duplicate in velocity or power but buying the factory ammo is well expensive in comparison to most popular medium game calibers. Of course the power level can be increased to take down bigger game but I have no desire for my needs.
 
I enjoy the 45-70 quite a bit . My hand loads are easy on the shoulder and still put deer meat in the freezer. The Remington 405 grain factory load is about what I try to duplicate in velocity or power but buying the factory ammo is well expensive in comparison to most popular medium game calibers. Of course the power level can be increased to take down bigger game but I have no desire for my needs.
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I've been shooting the 45-70 in numerous rifles for several years now and I reload and keep meticulous records on results. It is extremely difficult to develop a load that shoots better than the Rem factory 405g load. It will shoot 1moa out of my 1885 (scoped) off the bench for five shots most times and if not, only a couple of tenths over. I have yet to recover even one bullet out of a dozen or so deer shot with it. If you're not going to be shooting in volume, and don't find load development a recreational activity, just start with them and you can kill anything in N. America with them.
 
I hunt exclusively with 45-70, and have for awhile. I have examples of both Henry and Marlin's and I've found things to love about all of them. Henry finish is alittle better, but no loading gate. The rifle I grab first 99% of the time is a newish (not JM) Marlin, it just handles and shoots so good, it is mostly what I bring with me. As far as what the 45-70 round can do, there is no reason for argument. There is a century of history of what can be done with a 45-70 to draw upon. Either platform you pick will make you happy I predict. Also, if you handload, 45-70 offers a great deal of entertainment to handloaders. I load rounds from all extremes for it, and have a great deal of fun doing it.
 
Picking up my henry all weather in 45-70 today...if they ever make this in 357 max and brass becomes more accessible I might snag one but for now the 45-70 will be my deer rifle for here in OH. Weird even saying that since all I ever hunted with was heavy cumbersome 20 ga and 12 ga slug guns.
 
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The 45-70 cartridge produces a hefty recoil that is intolerable for some shooters. I suggest try one out before you buy. An easier rifle to shoot is a 44 MAG carbine.

Jack

 
You can easily load the 45-70 down to energy/recoil loads equivalent to 44mag or even lighter. There are hundreds of thousands of people hunting with 45 and 50cal muzzle loaders who aren't complaining about the recoil. You can load the 45-70 into those ranges with ease. The versatility of this cartridge is outstanding. Most everyone who hunts with it knows it will easily kill any whitetail on this continent. Rarely do you ever recover a bullet if shot at any "book" load with this caliber. There's no reason not to use it really if recoil bothers you in any way....if you reload. Pick any bullet weight and velocity you like and if it's accurate enough to hunt with you're good to go. Myself, I think that's the best reason to consider this cartridge.
 
Hunter2678 said:
Picking up my henry all weather in 45-70 today...if they ever make this in 357 max and brass becomes more accessible I might snag one but for now the 45-70 will be my deer rifle for here in OH. Weird even saying that since all I ever hunted with was heavy cumbersome 20 ga and 12 ga slug guns.
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Hunter2678, let us know how you like the all weather Henry Rifle. I have been looking at those real hard, one in 45-70 of course.
 
Took my Marling 1895 SBL Trapper out to the range with Remington 405g Core-Lokt ammo. What a blast to shoot. Recoil was there but not bad at all. My buddy was afraid of it at first but as soon as he shot it once I had a hard time getting it back. He was blowing up anything and everything out in the desert. Glad I brought 2 boxes of ammo. We've decided that we'd nick name it the little gun that goes BOOM...
 
I too have a fairly new 1895 GBL in 45-70. This "Rem-Lin" as some refer to them was a little rough around the edges at the start. I bought a spring kit and a safety delete, took it apart, cleaned up some burrs here and there and now it's a nice shooter. I plan on hunting some hogs with it next year and have built a nice load using IMR3031 under some 405 gr cast RNFP sized to .459". I can say without a doubt the .459's shoot a bit tighter group than the more readily available .458" cast bullets do.
YMMV.
E.
 
While I'd love to own a 38-55 model 94 , I don't agree that it is a better choice than the 45-70 for hunting medium game or larger. The deer I've harvested with the 45-70 have shown less meat damage than smaller calibers I've used and factory ammo is more readily available if needed or desired ! i wish the 38-55 was more popular and factory ammo choices were better at prices more affordable but that's not the case. Same goes for the 25-35 , I'd love to have one but ammo is too scarce in a pinch and yes ,I do some hand loading.
 
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