Anyone got a 45/70?

[Old Wanderer]

I built up a #1 Ruger 45-70 about 6 years ago. Put a Holo sight on top of it (just gives you a red circle and dot, no magnification). I hand loaded some new brass with the Barnes 300 Gr X bullet they make for the 45-70.

You can bring the pressures way up in the #1, and it got to the point I said enough...shot good groups, super light and short to get through the brush with when chassing Roosevelt  Elk....Great Gun....A must have IMHO.   

[mossback91]

I built up a #1 Ruger 45-70 about 6 years ago. Put a Holo sight on top of it (just gives you a red circle and dot, no magnification). I hand loaded some new brass with the Barnes 300 Gr X bullet they make for the 45-70.

You can bring the pressures way up in the #1, and it got to the point I said enough...shot good groups, super light and short to get through the brush with when chassing Roosevelt  Elk....Great Gun....A must have IMHO.   

:drool:Sounds like an awesome gun!! got any pics??

[Guy]

I'm a bit of a .45/70 fan myself. Have only taken one mule deer doe with Ol' Brutus the Marlin, but the rifle and bullet did a fine job. Started with the Guide Gun, then decided I liked the standard 22" barreled 1895 better.


The little 2.5x Leupold works really well on the Marlin. Lots of eyebrow clearance for the heavy-recoil of stout loads, and it weighs only a few ounces so it doesn't affect the handling of the big bore lever gun.


Not all .45/70 bullets are created equal. All of these were recovered after being slammed into water jugs at 20 yards:

350 gr Swift A-Frame on left, 350 gr Hornady FNSP on the right:


300 gr Remington hollow point:


405 gr Remington FNSP factory load:


I haven't managed to take an elk or bear with it yet - but it seems a natural choice for those critters!


Regards, Guy