45-70 is an underrated round.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 45-70 is an underrated round. (Page 1 of 5)

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:35:10 PM EDT

The reason I say this, is that with modern leverguns and ammo...it packs a hell of a punch and is pretty damned accurate! Plus it's just fun to shoot in a guide gun, hurts a little though.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:40:05 PM EDT

[#1]

Agreed. Just bought one a few months ago for a bear hunt that me and some friends are planning.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:40:43 PM EDT

[#2]

I'd love to have a guide gun.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:41:36 PM EDT

[#3]

Thinking about selling mine

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:41:37 PM EDT

[#4]

If i remember correctly, here in LA you can is the round during primitive weapon season.

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Posted: 3/26/2013 6:42:06 PM EDT

[#5]

the .45-70 + a lever gun= a damn fine rifle

this thread makes me miss my pre Remington fucking them up Marlin 1895 that's back at the folks' place in PA

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:42:26 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

I'd love to have a guide gun.

Me too! That'd be another caliber to reload for though.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:43:06 PM EDT

[#7]

Other than almost $5 a round for good ammo, I love my guide gun!

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:43:31 PM EDT

[#8]

My Sharps is consistently a 2 MOA gun with a tang sight, shooting black powder and a 540 grain cast bullet. With a scope I'm confident it would be a sub-MOA gun. It shoots better than I can.

Edit for old school gun porn:

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:43:44 PM EDT

[#9]

kick ass big ass round. it's next on my list. fuck i'm gettin that itch again....

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:43:46 PM EDT

[#10]

Under-rated by who? I think everyone has at least a vague idea of its awesomeness.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:45:27 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Other than almost $5 a round for good ammo, I love my guide gun!

Reload, it is a lot cheaper and you can get better performance. I can get 2400 fps out of mine with 300 grn bullets. That's 7.62x39 velocity and it will put those rounds well under an inch at 100 yards with a scope on the gun. It does hurt shooting those loads off a bench though.

<------ My friend really looked like that when he tried them.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:45:32 PM EDT

[#12]

45-90 chuckles derisively.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:45:40 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Under-rated by who? I think everyone has at least a vague idea of its awesomeness.

I have friends who say it's an underpowered antique. I try to explain about Garrett ammo and the stronger construction of the newer lever guns, and they're lost.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:46:02 PM EDT

[#14]

Have killed a few deer (I think 3) with an older Marlin 1895 that I no longer own. It worked well, there was never any tracking

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:46:27 PM EDT

[#15]

BPCR cartridges rule!
Whether loaded with BP or smokeless...

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:47:58 PM EDT

[#16]

I don't think anyone who knows anything about it, thinks it is underrated. That would be stupid.

I've had one since right after the Guide guns came out. Late 90's maybe? Early 2000? I'm not sure. I think that I would get more use out of a 50 Beowolf at this point. That is just a personal thing for me. I'm so in love with the AR platform, that it is all I care to shoot anymore.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:49:31 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
45-90 chuckles derisively.

I'd like to lengthen my Marlin. I won't quite be able to get 45-90 cases loaded with modern 45-70 bullets in there but I should be able to get a trimmed down 45-90 in there.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:49:56 PM EDT

[#18]

You can use it in a Lee-Enfield action as well. Something I'd be interested in getting someday.

On another note, I've heard the U.S. military still uses .45-70 for some of its older line-throwing guns (blanks, obviously).

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:50:48 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
The reason I say this, is that with modern leverguns and ammo...it packs a hell of a punch and is pretty damned accurate! Plus it's just fun to shoot in a guide gun, hurts a little though.

Try it out of a handgun.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:51:05 PM EDT

[#20]

I just loaded over a hundred rounds of 45-70 for my Marlin. I made some 400's at 1900fps. Per the book and not max loads, 3200 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.. I don't know anyone that ever says it is underrated.

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Posted: 3/26/2013 6:51:57 PM EDT

[#21]

All the horsepower you need up here

And not too heavy

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:51:57 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Quoted:
45-90 chuckles derisively.

I'd like to lengthen my Marlin. I won't quite be able to get 45-90 cases loaded with modern 45-70 bullets in there but I should be able to get a trimmed down 45-90 in there.

No reason you need to do that.
The Marlin 45-70 is an excellent cartridge.

But, my first BPCR was a 45-70 and I bought a 45-90 just to "up the anti" so to speak....

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:56:10 PM EDT

[#23]

I have four.
Baddest is built on a Siamese Mauser action.
Handloads are within a couple hundred FPS of the .458 Winchester +-.

I've killed 30-40 deer with it over the last 25 years. Never had a deer take the first step.

300 grain Hornady hollow point @ 2350fps.

This rifle/load will clover leaf three shots at 100yards all day long. One of my more accurate rifles..

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:56:37 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:
45-90 chuckles derisively.

I'd like to lengthen my Marlin. I won't quite be able to get 45-90 cases loaded with modern 45-70 bullets in there but I should be able to get a trimmed down 45-90 in there.

No reason you need to do that.
The Marlin 45-70 is an excellent cartridge.

But, my first BPCR was a 45-70 and I bought a 45-90 just to "up the anti" so to speak....

That is the only reason I have thought about doing it. I'd get to load even hotter and reduce pressures at my normal velocities.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:57:07 PM EDT

[#25]

These guys make great ammo!

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:57:59 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Thinking about selling mine

Do tell. The Kid turns 18 next month and wants one.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:58:06 PM EDT

[#27]

I enjoy my .450 Marlin...

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:59:25 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

Quoted:
45-90 chuckles derisively.

I'd like to lengthen my Marlin. I won't quite be able to get 45-90 cases loaded with modern 45-70 bullets in there but I should be able to get a trimmed down 45-90 in there.

No reason you need to do that.
The Marlin 45-70 is an excellent cartridge.

But, my first BPCR was a 45-70 and I bought a 45-90 just to "up the anti" so to speak....

Yeah, no kidding. Stick to 45-70. 45-90 is just abusive.

Posted: 3/26/2013 6:59:36 PM EDT

[#29]

Good old Dad bought me a 45/70 guide rifle...Damn...$ 31 bucks a box of 20...killing me
but worth it....

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:00:07 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/garrettnew/images/4570exiters.jpg

These guys make great ammo!

I was going to opine on the importance of 500gr hard cast solids, then you put that out there.

Kings to you.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:00:47 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
All the horsepower you need up here
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n237/DVCER/OPSPARK023.jpg

And not too heavy
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n237/DVCER/100_0081-1.jpg

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:00:59 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:

The reason I say this, is that with modern leverguns and ammo...it packs a hell of a punch and is pretty damned accurate! Plus it's just fun to shoot in a guide gun, hurts a little though.

Try it out of a handgun.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/von_landstuhl/contender.jpg

I did that once. I still have the scar on my thumb to prove it.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:02:13 PM EDT

[#33]

It can be loaded up *plenty* in a strong rifle

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:02:19 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
45-90 chuckles derisively.

Haaaaa...true...didn't someone make a 45/100....

...just wondering.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:02:21 PM EDT

[#35]

SCHV 19th century style.

Nothing gets people's attention like discharging a 405 gr 45-70 out of a short, magna ported barrel.

Now that's a hole!

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:02:42 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Quoted:
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/garrettnew/images/4570exiters.jpg

These guys make great ammo!

I was going to opine on the importance of 500gr hard cast solids, then you put that out there.

Kings to you.

Shooting these right now...

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:03:02 PM EDT

[#37]

I'm kind of on the edge here. The ONE thing that really shines in this cartridge is cast bullet use without any compromises. But I've heard issues with Marlin Micro Groove barrels and cast bullets.

For deer, there is no reason to go full power, a 330 Express bullet at 1250 ft/sec is more than adequate. It will still completely penetrate with any shot angle.

Full power will handle all of the largest North American game.

A .460 round ball and a few grains of fast powder will work for squirrel.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:03:45 PM EDT

[#38]

I have a 45-70 barrel for my T/C Encore. The combination is a bit light.

I love shooting it.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:04:18 PM EDT

[#39]

300 gr at 1300 fps very nice shooting rd.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:05:27 PM EDT

[#40]

Yep. I love launching 405's at 2000 fps from my Guide Gun, not too many in one afternoon though. Even better that they're homecast LBT's and they shoot great. It kills on one end and wounds on the other.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:07:29 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
I'm kind of on the edge here. The ONE thing that really shines in this cartridge is cast bullet use without any compromises. But I've heard issues with Marlin Micro Groove barrels and cast bullets.

For deer, there is no reason to go full power, a 330 Express bullet at 1250 ft/sec is more than adequate. It will still completely penetrate with any shot angle.

Full power will handle all of the largest North American game.

A .460 round ball and a few grains of fast powder will work for squirrel.

Never had an issue with a guide gun and hard cast. I pretty much mutually shoot Garrett cartridges, barring some plinking with Hornady ammo. It's worth over five bucks a shot to watch "gun people", never new shooters...shoot it.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:08:41 PM EDT

[#42]

Even the old "antique" load is very good.. impressive.. in the amount of energy it puts into a target....

We were out shooting at the lapeer pit on day a year ago... a buddy had his 500 smith & wesson... and I had a older sharps in .45-70, shooting the "any gun safe" remington loads.

First picture is of him, hitting milk jug with 500... good splash... respectible.

Next pic is .45-70... as you notice... it did not make a spash, but instead turned the gallon of milk into a vapor cloud. A very distinct differece in energy release, eventhough, on paper, the 500 is more powerful.

Not saying that the garret round is not great.. just saying, it might not be necessary. Even the old school loads are pretty awesome!

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:10:02 PM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
I'm kind of on the edge here. The ONE thing that really shines in this cartridge is cast bullet use without any compromises. But I've heard issues with Marlin Micro Groove barrels and cast bullets.

For deer, there is no reason to go full power, a 330 Express bullet at 1250 ft/sec is more than adequate. It will still completely penetrate with any shot angle.

Full power will handle all of the largest North American game.

A .460 round ball and a few grains of fast powder will work for squirrel.

The old micro groove barrels work fine as long as the bullet is slightly oversized.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:10:13 PM EDT

[#44]

I keep thinking about the russian double barrel 45/70. Looks like it would be fun. Can't shoot the hot stuff out of it but I dont hate myself enough to really want to.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:11:59 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
The reason I say this, is that with modern leverguns and ammo...it packs a hell of a punch and is pretty damned accurate! Plus it's just fun to shoot in a guide gun, hurts a little though.

sshhhhhh.....it's the only beast i've been able to reliably to feed lately....

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:12:04 PM EDT

[#46]

I'm confused. Where does the magazine go in all of those guns? Does it drop off the front? Great Great Grandpa called, he wants his rimmed 1800's style cases back. Just get a Beowulf and join the proper century.

It's not underrated, it's just old technology for limited guns.

Posted: 3/26/2013 7:12:12 PM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I'd love to have a guide gun.

Me too! That'd be another caliber to reload for though.

The great thing about 45/70 is that it's a tremendously flexible round to load for. Anything from an easy shooting and cheap 250 gr cast in front of a charge of Unique at around 1,100fps to cranking a 405gr. super hard cast that's hauling the mail at 1,950fps.