I've had the gun for months, but just got a chance to shoot today. I had one box of Blackhills Cowboy .405s and one box of Remington JSP 405's. With all the posts about sight height, I figured I was in for a front sight change, because mine came with the high front globe. But I swapped out the WGRS on the rear for a Williams Foolproof with target knobs.
I was surprised to find I could hit dead on at 100 yards with the Foolproof set about midway; plenty of room to adjust either way. I ran out of ammo before I could measure group size (I was too busy getting the elevation right), but I think it shoots groups smaller than a quarter. The Remington ammo shot tighter than the cowboy stuff. With my toboggan hat between my shoulder and the stock, I could shoot either of those rounds all day from the bench.
Another surprise for me (because I've never owned a 45-70) was the amount of drop a 45-70 has between 50 and 100 yards. Didn't measure in inches, but it looks like about 2, maybe 3 inches, certainly a distinct difference between that and the .308 I'm used to shooting. It makes me wonder if the Foolproof will adjust enough to hit at 200 yards.
Anyway, I love this gun! Who'd of thunk it? Super tight groups from such an inexpensive rifle. With the long barrel, the FP sight on the back and the globe on the front, it looks like a target gun with class. I can't wait for deer season. Only 10 more months. In the meantime, I've got lots of reloading and testing to do. I've got a new can of Trail Boss, three different boxes of cast bullets from Beartooth and LBT. All I need now are the Lee Shaver inserts and reloading dies, both of which are on order.
Thanks to everyone here who have posted their success and problems shooting the 45-70. Without you, my success today would have been a failrure.
