crimsontider91
Inactive
Call me crazy but i think that i would be more comfortable shooting at deer with a 45 caliber rifle than a 30 caliber. What should I do?
should i get a Marlin 45-70 if i already have a marlin 336a
- Thread starter crimsontider91
- Start date
Seventhsword
New member
yes...
crimsontider91
Inactive
thw only thing is that the only time ive seen 45-70 ammo was at bass pro shops but are there any other sugestions
crimsontider91
Inactive
What aboout a 44-40
Andy Griffith
New member
A .44-40 is a completely different animal than the .45-70.
In power, the .44-40 from a rifle is right in the power range of between .44 Special and .44 Magnum rifle loads, depending upon how it is loaded. The .44 magnum rifle would be much more versatile for hunting. The .44-40 is a thin, somewhat bottlenecked case which is more suited for blackpowder and cowboy action shooting when compared to modern loads. Also, if you think finding .45-70 at dealers is rough, try .44-40! There are many loads available for the .45-70 comparatively since in some states it is legal for use during muzzloading season.
There has been plenty of deer killed with the venerable old .44-40, and I'm certain many still are, but there are more readily available and more effective loads out there that can be shot much cheaper- especially if you do not reload. Hunting loads for a strong actioned .44-40 is a handloading proposition only, and most load books don't recommend hot loading it at all.
I have no idea what part of Alabama you're out of, but there are many shops in the northern part of the state that do stock a good variety of .45-70 loads- try Larry's Pistol in Huntsville for instance- I've been there a couple of times and actually bought some HP Winchester .45-70 ammo for a good deal for hunting. When I was there last year, I remember he had a nice Winchester 1886 reproduction used for a good deal, and I almost bought it.
In power, the .44-40 from a rifle is right in the power range of between .44 Special and .44 Magnum rifle loads, depending upon how it is loaded. The .44 magnum rifle would be much more versatile for hunting. The .44-40 is a thin, somewhat bottlenecked case which is more suited for blackpowder and cowboy action shooting when compared to modern loads. Also, if you think finding .45-70 at dealers is rough, try .44-40! There are many loads available for the .45-70 comparatively since in some states it is legal for use during muzzloading season.
There has been plenty of deer killed with the venerable old .44-40, and I'm certain many still are, but there are more readily available and more effective loads out there that can be shot much cheaper- especially if you do not reload. Hunting loads for a strong actioned .44-40 is a handloading proposition only, and most load books don't recommend hot loading it at all.
I have no idea what part of Alabama you're out of, but there are many shops in the northern part of the state that do stock a good variety of .45-70 loads- try Larry's Pistol in Huntsville for instance- I've been there a couple of times and actually bought some HP Winchester .45-70 ammo for a good deal for hunting. When I was there last year, I remember he had a nice Winchester 1886 reproduction used for a good deal, and I almost bought it.
Last edited:
I have two of those too. Good round if you're shooting inside 120 yards or so. But it is basically a pistol round. I have rifles in .30-06, 8mm, .30-40, 7.62X54, .308, .44-40, .45-70 and .30-30. They all work great on deer if used within their limits. I have even heard about deer being poached with a .22 rifle. I don't really know why you are uncomfortable shooting a deer with a .30 cal rifle, though. The .30-30 is one of the most popular deer rifle round there is. As I said before, if you want a .45-70, don't look for excuses. If you can afford one, get one. Ammo can be bought online as was pointed out.
If you want one, get it. I was in your exact position a few months back. I struggled with it, thought about it every night. The pros, the cons...then I just went out and got one. Point: In the end, it's what YOU WANT. It WILL do the job.
Side note: All of the shops near me (3 of them to be exact) stock 45-70 ammo. Always have. I thought it was like the good old 30-30 or 30-06 in that regard. Hmmm...guess I was mistaken.
Side note: All of the shops near me (3 of them to be exact) stock 45-70 ammo. Always have. I thought it was like the good old 30-30 or 30-06 in that regard. Hmmm...guess I was mistaken.
Take it from a guy that hunts often with a 45/70. Learn to reload. 45/70 ammo is expensive. Unless you are rolling in the money you will not be able to get the practice that you need to learn the trajectory with out lots of ammo.
all so reloaded ammo can be much hotter than most of the trap door stuff you find in the stores.
all so reloaded ammo can be much hotter than most of the trap door stuff you find in the stores.
I don't want to stray too far off topic here regarding the purchase of a 45-70 to use primarily to take deer (I'm guessing the main concern here is weather or not it's "overkill").
But...
I have to second Deja Vu, despite what I said about local shops stocking it. You can approach 450 Marlin performance with the right handloads in a MODERN RIFLE.
But...
I have to second Deja Vu, despite what I said about local shops stocking it. You can approach 450 Marlin performance with the right handloads in a MODERN RIFLE.
Shotgun693
New member
I've killed deer with both rounds.
.30-30 rifles tend to be lighter, ammo and components are easily found in great abundance. .30-30s are great for game up to Mule deer within 125 yards or so.
The .45-70 rifles tend to be heavier, shooting a light .45-70 is no fun. Most real gun shops have .45-70 ammo and components. There is no game animal in the Western Hemisphere that can't be taken with the .45-70 within 125 yards or so.
Both rounds drop pretty sharply after 150 yards. Given field conditions with a gun you really use a lot, you might get another 40 yards or so out of either. IMO.
And yeah, I've shot steel out to 900 yards with a .45-70 rifle but shooting a target is different than shooting at game.
.30-30 rifles tend to be lighter, ammo and components are easily found in great abundance. .30-30s are great for game up to Mule deer within 125 yards or so.
The .45-70 rifles tend to be heavier, shooting a light .45-70 is no fun. Most real gun shops have .45-70 ammo and components. There is no game animal in the Western Hemisphere that can't be taken with the .45-70 within 125 yards or so.
Both rounds drop pretty sharply after 150 yards. Given field conditions with a gun you really use a lot, you might get another 40 yards or so out of either. IMO.
And yeah, I've shot steel out to 900 yards with a .45-70 rifle but shooting a target is different than shooting at game.