.45-70 What Am I Missing?!

[Fl0und3rz]

XS ghost ring.  Aside from looks, the big loop allows for easier gloved hand access, and makes for more comfortable carrying and cycling. 

[BULLBLASTER]

When I had mine I shot it with the 300 great hollow points and was on par with what is said. 100=+4-5 and 200=-6-8. I had a straight 6 x scope on mine and killed some elk. I always wanted to try the 200 or 250 Barnes hollow point (can't remember weight) but never got arouns to it. Then I traded the gun to my dad for his 30-06. That freight train was fun!

[pianoman9701]

I shot one in CO with the flip-up sights. It was very accurate on the 200 yard range.

[BigGoonTuna]

i've never heard of the .45-70 called an inaccurate round, just that it has a loopy trajectory.  supposedly very accurate if you're capable of compensating for its ballistics.

i'd love to have one, but haven't been able to justify buying one unless i can get into reloading...that ain't gonna happen right now with the shortage of components.

[lokidog]

My 1884 Springfield has a flip up sight with gradiations to 1400 yards.  The old time buffalo hunters would lay down elevating the barrel with their feet for those long rainbow-like shots.   

[Fl0und3rz]

I bought my wife a .45-70 1895 Guide Gun for bear hunting - yeah she's tough enough to shoot it - and I've reloaded several batches up to 57 grns H4198 with a 300 grain hollow point.

I just noted that a book max load for H4198 and a Hornady 300 grn HP is 51.2 for 2,000 fps out of a 22" barrel. 

 

[et1702]

I've got a Browning HiWall 1885 single-shot in 45-70.  Very accurate gun w/iron sights only!  If you don't reload, there are also a lot of magnum (+P) type loads that can be shot out of the newer guns (e.g., Garrett, BuffaloBore, etc.) that will flatten your trajectory somewhat.  But, probably not the older lever guns, or Springfield trap doors.

ET

[yorketransport]

I bought my wife a .45-70 1895 Guide Gun for bear hunting - yeah she's tough enough to shoot it - and I've reloaded several batches up to 57 grns H4198 with a 300 grain hollow point.

I just noted that a book max load for H4198 and a Hornady 300 grn HP is 51.2 for 2,000 fps out of a 22" barrel. 

 

Hodgdon lists a 60.0gr max for a 300gr bullet and H4198 as a the max lever gun load. I used to run 58gr and a 300gr bullet in my BFR revolver.

I'll agree with the others that the only real limitation that the 45-70 has  at extended range is the trajectory. Once you figure it out though, I don't think you'd have any trouble knocking a critter off it's feet with a well placed 300gr bullet at 300 yards.

Andrew

[Fl0und3rz]

Hodgdon lists a 60.0gr max for a 300gr bullet and H4198 as a the max lever gun load. I used to run 58gr and a 300gr bullet in my BFR revolver.

Right you are, for the 300 gr. Sierra HP.  Just saying that it appears to be quite the fire-breathing load out of a 18.5" guide gun. (Sierra lists 2200 fps for 54.3 gr. and 22" on the Marlin.) And even more so on a BFR.

[RG]

I had one for a lot of years when I guided grizzly hunters in Canada.  It's not the accuracy that limits it the trajectory does.  It kills everything it hits, with attitude!  I never killed a bear with it but did smack both elk and deer.  Mine was a marlin 1895 with williams peep on it.

[pianoman9701]

It would certainly be a cool gun to own.

[MikeWalking]

I've loved all my 1895's. Especially with a new trigger.

The 45-70 was developed by the Army with the idea of hitting a man size target at 600 yards as well as take down a horse at closer ranges.  It was what they thought they needed for fighting with tribes on the plains.

[pianoman9701]

I've loved all my 1895's. Especially with a new trigger.

The 45-70 was developed by the Army with the idea of hitting a man size target at 600 yards as well as take down a horse at closer ranges.  It was what they thought they needed for fighting with tribes on the plains.

Interesting info. Thanks.

[Jonathan_S]

Post up a pic.

Pics of what?  Not that it matters because I haven't taken any yet but I will in the future 

[Jonathan_S]

Lots of replies, thanks guys.  As far as the max for H4198 goes, I read 60 grns was the max, that's what Hodgdon says for modern lever guns.  I reloaded a batch at 48 just for her to go plinking with.  It would still kill with ease I suppose at 48 but it's definitely still accurate at 57 grns and it will definitely shoot flatter.

I shot 40 rounds of 57 grns the other day (OUCH!) and had no sticky extractions or problems of any sort.