Hunting ammo w/ 45-70 Buffalo Classic

[MarkinIdaho]

Hello everyone.  My name is Mark.  This is my first post here.  I have a NEF .223 and later this week I will be picking up a NIB Buffalo Classic 45-70.

It is my hope to use the BC as my primary deer rifle (mule deer here in S. Idaho) next year.  Maybe elk, but I'm not sure.  I have other options, but really want to use this one.  Where I hunt, most (90%) shots are 150 yard or less due to heavy timber, etc.

I've looked around the net concerning factory ammo for hunting.  I can't find any consensus among articles I've read... so I decided to come to you guys; actual owners of these sorts of rifles.  Do you hunt big game with your 45-70?  What brands & loads do you use, and why?  Have you used those "lever action" loads with the red tipped bullet that I think either Hornady or Winchester puts out?  What do you think?  I hope to be able to get a reloading set up within the next year, but I first have to find a place to put it!  Otherwise, I'd look at reloads.  So for now, I'm stuck with the factory loads.

Thanks for your help.

Mark

[jpshaw]

I don't have the .45-70 (yet) but hear good things about the leverlution factory loads.  Thats assuming you're not going to reload for it.

[MarkinIdaho]

Leverlution - that was the brand I was trying to think of.  Thanks!

Any other opinions?

[LONGTOM]

I have tried the Leverlution ammo in three BCs and a 22" Handi along with my Win. 1885 highwall and none of my guns like them.
They all seem to like the Win. factory 300gr HPs.
All will shoot 2" or less at 100 with the HPs.
The best I could get with the Leverlutions was with the 22" Handi at just under 3" at 100.
The rest were all over 4.5".


LONGTOM

[AtlLaw]

Any other opinions?

Just wait there Marky!     Asking if we hunt big game with a 45/70 is like askin ifn a cat got a climbing gear!     You'll get more opinions then you want!  And I'll bet you won't get ONE that's unfavorable! 

I killed my 2d deer this year with a BC barrel; 300 gr handloads at 1900-2000 fps.  I killed the first deer with a LeverRevolution bullet from a 30/30.  I don't think you'll hear much bad about them either.  If I were going for Elk (which I won't  ) w/ my 45/70 (which I would  ) and I didn't handload, (which I do  ) that's probably what I'd use.

[45-70.gov]

before  this  tread  gets  too  long


can  anyone  name  a load  that  is not  good?

[MarkinIdaho]

Any other opinions?

Just wait there Marky!     Asking if we hunt big game with a 45/70 is like askin ifn a cat got a climbing gear!     You'll get more opinions then you want!  And I'll bet you won't get ONE that's unfavorable! 

I killed my 2d deer this year with a BC barrel; 300 gr handloads at 1900-2000 fps.  I killed the first deer with a LeverRevolution bullet from a 30/30.  I don't think you'll hear much bad about them either.  If I were going for Elk (which I won't  ) w/ my 45/70 (which I would  ) and I didn't handload, (which I do  ) that's probably what I'd use.

Yah, your probably right about asking that sort of question here.     So, why won't you go after elk?  Living in the wrong part of the world?

Thanks for the info.

[petemi]

My Handi and I both love the Hornady Leverevolutions.  If they don't group in 1.5 inches at 100, it's pilot error....not the rifle or the load.  Longtom's rifle doesn't like them; mine does.  Each one is different. 
what works in one, may not in another.   I'd say try them, if they work, great.  If not look elsewhere.

Pete

[AtlLaw]

why won't you go after elk?  Living in the wrong part of the world?

Yup, I'm in Jawja.  These out of state hunts are just to big a hassle to work out in my old age.   

And I'll give a +1 to 45-70 gov's post.  The cartridge is right up there with the 30/06 when it comes to handloading.  Not finicky at all!

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard Mark!! I don't recollect very many not having good result with the Leverevolution ammo in their 45-70 H&Rs, most have had good results with it. And be aware that Hornady ran out of their proprietary powder that rated the LE ammo at 2050fps, and made it with conventional powders that provided about 200fps less velocity, that ammo may have been partly to blame for the negative reports, so be sure of which ammo you pick up.

The only factory ammo that I've tried is the 405gr Rem, 300gr Win silver box and the discontinued PMC 350gr+P ammo, all shot real well.

As for handloading, Hornady will be offering all of the FTX bullets as components shortly(2009?), so us handloaders can have our cake and eat it too!! 

Tim

http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=789

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,102319.msg1098277453.html#msg1098277453

[NFG]

Not to put too fine a point on it...but...my BC likes certain bullets and powders and doesn't do well with others...I haven't tried the Hornday gumby bears...

AND...NOT to get a brouhaha going, but I really never understood buying a 45-70 then using "light" 300 gr bullets in it, it seems to be a step backward for what the original intent of the cartridge was...the 405 gr bullet is pretty much the "standard" for this one and it shoots well...of course when loaded up stout the heavier bullets hits on both ends harder and most people seem to whine about that "other" end thing...I like 500 gr plus in my BC converted to 45-100 and I just received some 720 gr Tyrannosaurus Ticklers from Ranger Rick I'm looking forward to playing with as soon as I get the throat extended...besides I like BIG heavy bullets in the larger calibers anyway...everyone has their own way of looking at things.  Lighter faster in the smaller cals and bigger slower in the larger cals....

Try several factory brands and use the one that shoots the best, then when you get your reloading setup going you can experiment with the different types and weights of bullets and decide which one is for you.  Watch out tho'....this large caliber, heavy bullet thing will get into your blood and you will just HAVE to get acquainted with a 45-90, then maybe a 45-100, then who knows where it will take you.....    

[Tunaman]

Our tyrannosaurus are on the smaller side down here in Louisiana, not really warenting a 720 gr pill but I hear from Jamaldog that they have some big ones in his neck of the woods. Just kidding but I couldn't resist.

[brad925]

I have to agree with NFG. The 45-70 was meant for big bullets. If you are recoil sensitive this is not your gun. I see alot of posts about the45-70 and loads that barely get those big bullets out of the barrel. I realize that some are trying to reproduce the old BP loads but there is alot of potential in this cartridge. With the right bullet and load there isn't anything that you can't hunt in North America and most animals including elephant in Africa have been put down with a 45-70.

[AtlLaw]

I really never understood buying a 45-70 then using "light" 300 gr bullets in it,

Give me a break you sanctamon... uh, old friend!     I was just shooting up the last of the 300 grainers that I bought during the ignorance of my youth!  (4 or 5 years ago...) Those Speer HP's are real soft anyway... 

you will just HAVE to get acquainted with a 45-90, then maybe a 45-100, then who knows where it will take you.....    

Speaking of which, did you check out the Norma 45/120 brass at Cabela's?  Still on sale.

[BBF]

If you want anything better then a piss bow trajectory with the 405 gr Rem bullet you need to move it out a lot better then the 1330 fps factory numbers.
Sighted for a 100 yard zero, the bullet drops over 5 inch between 125 and 150 yards.
Compare this with the Federal 300 gr load (MV of 1880 fps)
 + 1.25 " at 100
    ZERO  at 125
  --2.15" at 150
  --5.25" at 175 with 1386 ftlb left

[MarkinIdaho]

Great info... and debate.  Thanks!

By the way - I picked up my rifle this afternoon... just couldn't wait.  Got some 405's and some of the Hornady's. 

[Default]

Mark ,

   Be prepared the remmies will be mild ... those Horns' will lean toward wild ....Congrats and enjoy the new BC , I still havent got mine 

   All good things to those that wait right ??   

   Default

[MarkinIdaho]

Yep, that's true.  But, I've never been known for my patience... so I'm not one to test that. 

But this was a deal that seemed too good to pass up.  NIB for $300.  Given the prices I've seen online for these and at some of the local stores, I'm very please with my find.  I actually sold another rifle and some ammo for the same price and simply handed over the cash.