Info on the 45/70....

J

jaughtman

New member
I picked up a Marlin 45/70 almost as a lark (it was THAT good of a deal) intending to use it as "trade bait" but now that I have shot it/researched a little, I am intrigued by it. It seems to have a HUGE range of ammo - mild to wild. I shot it intially with the ammo that came with it - the Remington 405 grain HP's and thought "man, this thing does not kick hard at all"....then I read up on the ballistics and realized that load only went around 1300 fps. What common manufactorers load it a little hotter than that? Yeah, I know about the Garret Hammerhead, but just can't spend $80 on a box of shells (until I move to bear country).

J
 
J
Probably not what you want to hear, but put some cash into a reloading set-up. Don't need anything expensive. Any decent single stage press will do the job. Then you have the entire spectrum of 45-70 loads open to you. From low end plinking loads to the top end for the gun you are using. I load a few for my Ruger #3 that kill at one end, and maim at the other.
 
You can try 300 gr loads from the major manufacturers. They generally list the velocity as ~1850 fps. Hornady LeverRevolution is 325gr at a claimed 2050 fps.

If you want to shoot anything hotter then you really need to either start reloading, or take out a second mortgage. You'll be looking at manufacturers like Buffalo Bore and Grizzly.
 
You'll probably get enough kick to suit you if you load the 400 gr bullet to 1800 fps or better. Assuming steel buttplate.

It's makes for a lot more 'felt recoil' than my 375 H&H with it's Limbsaver recoil pad.

270
 
I second handloading. A setup and your first 100 rounds of supplies will cost you about the same amount as your first 100 rounds of premium rounds would cost.

Seriously, the 45-70 can be pushed to within spitting range of the .458 magnum. Look at the stats for commercial .458 and some of the wild man loads for the 45-70. There is nothing stupid about the guy who decides to forego a .458 bolt action for a 45-70 lever, with greater magazine capacity, and in my case at least, much faster follow up shots.

In almost any situation other than elephant or angry cape buffalo, I'd probably choose a 450 grain top velocity round in the marlin with either solid hard lead, or a bonded bullet over a .458.

It almost works out to be a matter of personal preference, because the differences between cartridges can be truly minimal, and the 45.70 is far more versatile, I suspect.
 
and the 45.70 is far more versatile, I suspect.
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I dunno, I suspect that the .458 Mag can be loaded with 300 grain cast bullets and Trail Boss powder for a plinking load also. I bet you could even load black powder in it.
 
loads

Seriously, the 45-70 can be pushed to within spitting range of the .458 magnum. Look at the stats for commercial .458 and some of the wild man loads for the 45-70. There is nothing stupid about the guy who decides to forego a .458 bolt action for a 45-70 lever, with greater magazine capacity, and in my case at least, much faster follow up shots.
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That is true....but....not all of those can be used safely in that Marlin lever gun.

Versatility.....for the handloader, the .458 Win. Mag. will do everything that the .45-70 will do and some things that it can't.

Pete
 
The reason I call the 45-70 more versatile is that you can load it with anything almost form 300 up to 500 grain loads, from really moderate .44 magnum range loads up to what, about 90% of the .458 energy level?

Unless you are honestly going to be taking on an elephant, cape buffalo, or kodiak, the 45-70 will be the equal of the magnum, practically speaking, and the added difficulty with ammo will be eliminated. Factory .458 is available only in safari rounds, for the most part, available only by mail, and costs a fortune. I can load my 45-70 at probably 3-5 places within just a few miles of home.

I'm not sure, but if I thought that the 45-70 was undergunned for something, I'd probably go with a 416 remington instead.

If one chose the median sized 400 grain bullet you get a maxed out load in 45-70 going about 2k fps. In either 458 or 416 caliber you get around 24-25k. The additional sectional density of the 416 bore will give much deeper penetration, and either in monster game like elephant or with expanding rounds for bear, either way, that is probably preferable. I'd rather drive a soft point 416 completely through a ginormous bear than to put a .458 bore only 3/4 of the way through. I'm not sure if that is the right thinking, but I think it probably is.

I might even choose a 375 h&h for kodiak.
 
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45/70

1 connect w history;)
2 loading statement correct kiss like a butterfly or sting like a bee
3 hand down a piece of history a lever action in an old caliber
4 an animal when hit usually knows it stays close to where it was shot
have one myself ss marlin likes the Hornandy everlution rounds for deer or 40 gr of 3031;)
 
for cheep factory loads the leverevalution is probably the best.

The 45/70 was the gun that got me in to reloading. I stated reloading just to save money on my hunting loads. (Was using buffalo bore at the time) but over time I found that I enjoyed reloading. I still use a single stage press. I launch the Hornady 325 grain flex tips about 2025 FPS from my 18.5 inch barrel.

I all so like Shooting the Pile-driver 525 grain bullets about 1550-1650 FPS as well.

The 45/70 is a fun gun to shoot. I have shot a few elk with mine and never had one take more than a single step. On the other hand I just this year I shot a deer and it ran about 180 yards before it tipped over. Fortunately the bullet went all the way through and there was a very easy to follow blood tail.

All so people think its funny when you show up with a rifle/pistol combination of a Marlin 1895 and a BFR both in 45/70 :D
 
I wouldn't want to be hit by 405 grains moving at 1300fps. I have on old trap door rifle I load for with 405 grain lead bullets. Goes right through an eight inch diameter maple tree. Don't feel undergunned. :)
 
Versatility.....for the handloader, the .458 Win. Mag. will do everything that the .45-70 will do and some things that it can't.
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In the realm of Bambi Blasting to Bear Bumping to Pachyderm Pounding, no doubt.
But I am a paper puncher and steel clanger and a magnumb will not likely be competitive up against a .45-70 fueled with black and loaded with lead at even the trifling mid-range distance of 600 yards.
 
The 45-70 is a wonderful cartridge. It should also be noted, in that several have mentioned the .458, an African dangerous game cartridge, that the 45-70 coupled with good loads and the lever action Marlin platform, is popular with African professional hunters. Fast, handy, heavy large bullets, and powerful.
 
To enjoy the 45-70 you need to reload.

If you want to shoot your 45-70 and not break the bank you need to reload for it. When I purchased my Marlin 1895 I picked up one box of the Remington ammo to use that day and that has been the only box of over the counter ammo it has seen. It is a great cast bullet caliber as well and that also keeps costs down.

Cary
 
It really helps to cast your own bullets and have a large supply of scrap lead. .45 caliber rifles are pricy to shoot even if you reload due to the cost of components.
Unfortunately, .45 caliber pistol bullets will not work in a .45-70 because it needs .458 diameter bullets.
 
several have mentioned the .458, an African dangerous game cartridge, that the 45-70 coupled with good loads and the lever action Marlin platform, is popular with African professional hunters.
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Most African professional hunters hate to see someone show up with the 45-70. Some will allow it, but never heard of any who really liked to see them.

The 45-70 is a good round, but don't try to make it into something it is not. Lever actions are the most complex of all actions and one of the least dependable. Couple that with hot rounds that are pushing the guns limits and you are asking for trouble with an animal that may be trying to eat you.

A good quality CRF bolt gun will easily and safely handle much hotter loads with less percieved recoil because of better stock designs. With loads that recoil that much there is no difference in how fast you will be able to get off repeat shots.

And yes I've owned and used a 45-70 since 1976 and I've run a few of those near 458 loads through it.
 
I've always referred to my Marlin 1895G 45/70 as my "squirrel" rifle. The way I figure it, a squirrel is no longer safe holed up inside the tree trunk.
 
Ok, Ok....

This is the closest anyone has ever got me to consider getting into reloading. LOL. I am going to buy some of the Hornady Leverevolution rounds first, however, and compare before going "all in". Unless I win the lottery AND develop an interest in going to Africa (never really caught my fancy), I will not shoot anything bigger than Elk with it - and that would even be a dream trip (Bama, after all) so the whole dangerous-game talk does not enter in to it. Interesting conversation, however.

J
 
Not only is reloading a MUST...since its a Marlin, consider upgrading your stock.
The 1895SBL rear stock has a VERY nice factory-installed recoil pad & is Grey Laminate!!
Well worth getting from Marlin or Numrich :D
Helps if you get the forearm too ;) Hey, its only money, but the Comfort level is Priceless!!
 
Hello, jaughtman. Another plus for handloading/bullet casting, is the use of the Lyman 457122..the so called "Gould" bullet. This is a 300gr. hollow point., developed in the late 19th century for the 86' Winchester & Single Shot.
 
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