Getting wild and crazy with a 45-70.

[bdybdall]

Perhaps you might not want to shoot that, I've heard they're dangerous. If you'd like, I'd be glad to help you dispose of it.

 

[Greengunner]

Agree whole heartedly with what Mad Dog said. I have an older 1895 and also a Magnum Research BFR in 45-70. Both are incredibly accurate. If you reload though is where the fun begins with the 45-70.

 

[1911ly]

It's great to see all the info and picks. You guys sure aren't trying to talk me out of it! lol. I am hoping to find one shortly and hopefully closer to home. I probably will part with a few guns I don't shoot much so I can say I am being a little practial about it :-)

 

[NKBJ]

If you can't make up your mind on a 45-70 or 45-90 or 45-110, just find a used TC muzzleloader and have the barrel altered to have a bore diameter of .458. Then cast any weight of .45 rifle bullet you want. Mine is a New Englander. I'm using 420 grains of soft lead, card wad stamped out of egg cartons and plenty of FFg. It's the best 45-70-80-90 I ever saw.

 

[Buck67]

I would think you could load your own. But I would stick with newer powders.

Better to stick with Blackpowder, the gun may be modern steel but the design was meant for the lower pressures of blackpowder. A 45-70 loaded with blackpowder has about the same chamber pressure as a modern 12 ga shotgun.

 

[church]

I would love to get my hands on the sharps buffalo rifle in .45-110, that'd be pretty outstanding!

 

[hrearden]

I have got an early Shiloh Sharps in .45-70 that I have not shot yet due to the fact I only want to shoot it with blackpowder cartridges...So if an INGO'er knows where a man might find some of those.....


I would be happy...

Load your own. Your brass will last for eternity and that round will behave how its supposed to. Besides, black powder loads are not exactly on every shelf. Lee makes a squeeze handloading press that you can take in a bag with you that would come in really handy for stuff like this.

 

[hrearden]

I (for some odd reason) feel the need to shoot a 45-70. I had the chance last night to play! It was a buddies 1895 Marlin. We started off with off the shelve loads then moved to the various Elmer Keith loads.

WoW. Now I really have to find one. I am looking at the Marlin (older) Or a Henry or what ever I can fine. That I can check out. Any comments on different 45-70?

Was not aware Elmer made special loads for this caliber. Now I have 1 million and 1 things to research.

 

[1911ly]

Elmer Keith did several rounds for the 45-70. I shot the second heaviest load he recommended. Wow. It was similar to a 416 Ruger that I have shot. I think there are 3 primary Keith loads for 45-70. I think they call them red line loads. I need to research it more too. I will post any info I find. A buy of mine's dad ;oaded the loads I shot. He has the info on the loads and I will be getting it. Although I can probably find it on line.

I am going to go with the 45-70 have found a Marlin 1895 and a Henry that are within driving distance. I am favoring the Henry, I will hold both and compare. I just don't feel like dealing with the QC issues of Marlin. The Marlin had better be really nice! I have been told the Marlin action is stronger and better proven. Any comments?

 

[hooky]

1911ly, you suck.

You've stirred up all this 45-70 love and now I'm adding something else to my list of "collect, never sell".

Mad Dog, you're not innocent in this travesty either.

 

[1911ly]

1911ly, you suck.

You've stirred up all this 45-70 love and now I'm adding something else to my list of "collect, never sell".

Mad Dog, you're not innocent in this travesty either.

If I don't pi$$ of at least one person a day I am not doing something right! Today's a good day :-) lol. If you're nice I'll post range pics

 

[Buck67]

I shot a buddies 45-110 a couple of times. That was some serious recoil. I'm not sure I would want to shoot a 45-110 regularly. It was fun but you really had to screw up your courage before taking another shot.

 

[jimbo-indy]

The 45-70 Guide Gun is a blast with some high pressure loads. Unfortionantly, it tends to knock over the target stand even with 12" dia. X 5/8" steel plate.
I've got a video of shooting steel with the Guide Gun somewhere. Will post if I can edit it down to reasonable size.

 

[hrearden]

Elmer Keith did several rounds for the 45-70. I shot the second heaviest load he recommended. Wow. It was similar to a 416 Ruger that I have shot. I think there are 3 primary Keith loads for 45-70. I think they call them red line loads. I need to research it more too. I will post any info I find. A buy of mine's dad ;oaded the loads I shot. He has the info on the loads and I will be getting it. Although I can probably find it on line.

I am going to go with the 45-70 have found a Marlin 1895 and a Henry that are within driving distance. I am favoring the Henry, I will hold both and compare. I just don't feel like dealing with the QC issues of Marlin. The Marlin had better be really nice! I have been told the Marlin action is stronger and better proven. Any comments?

Brand new Marlin quality sucks. Get a used Marlin and dont look back. Marlin actions, up until a few years ago, were definitely a superior lever gun platform. They are produced simply to retain the name now and the material/machining quality have both suffered greatly. Id get one thats at least 6 years old since thats when they sold to Remington.

 

[Tom Threetoes]

The new "Remlins" aren't worth bringing home, the quality control just isn't there. Make sure your 1895 has the JM stamp on the barrel.

 

[1911ly]

I bit the bullet today and put some money down on a 45-70. I tried to be objective. I checked out another 1895 guide gun. What a disappointment. The stock looked like it was fitted with a pocket knife then sanded. The action was really tight and the trigger was at least 10 LB's. I have held 4 Marlins in the last week and two Henry's. I could not see or tell the difference between the Henry's. All the Marlin's has difference's in fit and finish. And all were equally poor IMHO. I have been unable to find a used older guide gun within reasonable range. And I did not want to wait all summer. So I got the Henry. It will hopefully make it to the range over the weekend! Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[1911ly]

Posted just for Hooky!

 

[hooky]

 

[1911ly]

Posted just for Hooky!



Range report to follow. Man am I excited to shoot it.

 

[1911ly]

I found some Hornady LEVERevolution 325gr FTX. I bought 40 rounds. I am having a little health issue. If I feel better Wednesday or Thursday I will be making a range trip. I will take photos and a few videos. I am really eager to go send a few shot down range! Anyone else want to take their 45-70 in the near future. Maybe a little meet and greet. I am game. I will probably bring the Henry 44mag too. I have some special hand load to test in the 44mag lever gun and my Super Redhawk 44mag. I might even bring my Blackhawk 44s.