Info on the 45/70....

for cheep factory loads the leverevalution is probably the best.
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We have been hugely impressed with the Leverevolution .45-70 rounds. Out of the 18" Marlin 1895s, the 325 gr. bullets come out between 1850 and 1950 fps (tested in 3 guns) and can shot MOA groups (4 guns tested).

I don't know about the other calibers of Leverevolution, but I don't have enough good things to say about the .45-70 version.

With that said, I don't think the little polymer tip really does al that much with the ballistic coefficient for the caliber. The difference in drop between it and similar weighted ball and flat nosed ammo was only an inch or so of drop at 100 yards. The Leverevolution was slightly flatter shooting but it was also slightly lighter ammo.

The Leverevolution ammo works well on hogs and deer, but then again I would suspect any .45-70 ammo to work well on hogs and deer, LOL.
 
I own a 45-70 Ruger No. 1. I generally run 300gr Remington or Winchester through it and while they aren't real hot, they are excellent for hunting. There is of course a lot of loading options for the 45-70 and it can be made really nasty. I am not sure exactly what the Marlin can take so be sure to research loads before running any through it.

As suggested, reloading is really the best way to unleash the beast. It's a big step that I haven't made myself but it's a great way to see what the 45-70 can really do.
 
Reloading for the .45-70 was one of those things that I always meant to do but never got around to. Basically I lost my place for shooting rifles. But I owned over the years three different rifles in that caliber, starting with an H&R Trapdoor carbine (which was longer than the other two rifles). It kicked and left me black and blue. The next one was a Ruger No. 1, followed by a Marlin, which honestly I liked the best, even over the Ruger. To hear all those guys talking about how fast they can reload their No. 1 must tell you something about single shots. But I am wandering.

One of the thoughts that suggested the .45-70 might be good for reloading was the straight case. I've reloaded for lots of different pistol calibers but no rifle calibers and bottleneck cases made me worry.
 
Just to brag.....

I picked mine up (1895 with full length barrel) with MAYBE 5 shots put through it - like-new, WITH the Cabela's propietary 45/70 scope for......$350! Cash - OTD...no tax.

J
 
1 connect w history
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A historical caliber in a non historical rifle does nothing for me. If you really want to connect with history, the rifle has got to be a Rolling Block, Sharps, Springfield, High Wall, or some other classic single shot design from the golden age of single shots.
 
I think you can 'connect with history' in a lever action 45-70. How about the '86 Winchester?
Also, as far as loading goes, what's to stop anyone from loading a .458 Mag with black powder and cast bullets? It's just a straight walled case with a belt.
I've owned two 45-70s, an original '73 full length rifle and a Marlin '95. Both were a hoot to shoot. Killed my first elk with the trapdoor - 405gr Lyman cast bullet and 70gr of FF. Broke both shoulders (the elk's, not mine) and dropped her on the spot, 95 yards from my stand.
Never killed any game with the '95, but I loaded it with 300gr jacketed bullets and 50gr of IMR 3031. Ouch.
Wish I still had that trapdoor.
 
I picked mine up (1895 with full length barrel) with MAYBE 5 shots put through it
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Is that like the Dirty Harry era of .44 magnums for sale with six shots fired?
I did see one with 12 gone out of its first box of ammo. Unfortunately I had just spent the entertainment money on a Gold Cup and could not afford the big Smith. Just as well, I guess; the .45 is far more useful to me.

what's to stop anyone from loading a .458 Mag with black powder and cast bullets?
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Not a thing. There was a short period in modern black powder history in which that was done, calling it the .45 x 2 1/2" Belted. But now you can get brass for the period cartidges longer than .45-70 and such improvisations are no longer necessary.
 
Sorry to go off on a tangent, but not long ago, my mother in law presented me with half a box of .44 magnum cartridges. Remington swc.

On the bottom of the box, the single cartridge price was 75 cents. my FIL obviously bought the whole box, I suppose, but the dealer was in the habit of selling single cartridges. He bought the m 29 when it first came on the market.

I can't seem to get pic posting to work, or I'd stick a photo of it on.
 
I like all of this 45/70 reloading information - keep it coming.



GuideGun.jpg
 
You all may be pleased to know that Colt is now offering for sale a .45-70 Gatling gun. And the Mustang is back in the stable, too. Serious inquires only.
 
I love the 45/70. They are a very fun caliber to shoot. I Shot my only buffalo with a 45/70 Trap door. I shot it at about 80 yards. The buffalo took about 6 steps and just sat down.
 
BlueTrain said:
You all may be pleased to know that Colt is now offering for sale a .45-70 Gatling gun. And the Mustang is back in the stable, too. Serious inquires only.
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Holy zombie appocylipse Batman! I can barely afford to shoot a .45-70 one bullet at a time in a single shot.:eek:

Sounds like a really efficient way to turn money into noise.
 
Well............

just picked up a box of the Hornady leverevolution today.....325 grains @ 2050 fps. Yowza. Range report in the next week or so.....

J
 
I would recommend that you pass on the 45-70 and get a .444 Marlin which can do everything the 45-70 does with much less recoil. LOL
 
Alaska, can't we just like something because we like it? I agree with your arguements about the .444, but that doesn't mean we can't want a 45-70 anyway. It's a cool, historical, fun to load for cartridge with great power and versatility. :D
 
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