I have recently come to a point in my life where I can start hunting more. I requested some time off for next years extended family hunt. at these hunts there is typically 4-8 people and the area we hunt is usually pretty crowded with other hunting parties.
In the past I have typically hunted deer with my marlin 357 or more recently with a 30-06 but I am still a fan of the lever actions... My father knows this and bought me a 45-70 (Marlin Model 1895SBL)
I know the 45-70 is more than enough for deer but the problem is I want some ammo that will knock the deer down. The last time I hunted this area I shot the deer with my 30-06 and the shot was off a little (still hit it cause we followed the blood trail) and the deer ran about 250 yard into the Forrest, by the time I got there another party was tagging it... usually its not this bad but it does happen.
I want to avoid this situation next time and I know that the 45-70 is a good caliber to do that. I just want some ammo that in the words of my father "has some authority to it" I am leaning toward some thing that expands because of the (im assuming) higher knock down power for deer.
p.s. This is not for bear so I think any ammo for the 45-70 will have more than enough penetration, I am looking for "knock down power"
In the past I have typically hunted deer with my marlin 357 or more recently with a 30-06 but I am still a fan of the lever actions... My father knows this and bought me a 45-70 (Marlin Model 1895SBL)
I know the 45-70 is more than enough for deer but the problem is I want some ammo that will knock the deer down. The last time I hunted this area I shot the deer with my 30-06 and the shot was off a little (still hit it cause we followed the blood trail) and the deer ran about 250 yard into the Forrest, by the time I got there another party was tagging it... usually its not this bad but it does happen.
I want to avoid this situation next time and I know that the 45-70 is a good caliber to do that. I just want some ammo that in the words of my father "has some authority to it" I am leaning toward some thing that expands because of the (im assuming) higher knock down power for deer.
p.s. This is not for bear so I think any ammo for the 45-70 will have more than enough penetration, I am looking for "knock down power"
Last edited: