Author Topic: 45-70 leverevolution (Read 1219 times)

tiger yat · « **on:** November 17, 2009, 10:19:57 AM »

We picked up a box of Hornady 325 grain FTX Leverevolution ($33 for 20) when we bought the handi rifle. Have not shot it yet because we're waiting on the Williams sights to come in.

Who has used it? Is that ammo a good choice for whitetail or is there something elso I should look for?

ohiobenito · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2009, 10:52:53 AM »

I"ve used it only on paper and it shot very nice out of my older 45-70 handi rifle. If I recall I had it 2" high at 75 yds and 2" low at 150 yds. I"m sure that it would be more than sufficient on whitetail.

Swampman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2009, 10:56:18 AM »

It's about $5.00 a box less than that at Bass Pro. The cases being shorter than standard .45-70 cases caused me to steer clear of it.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2009, 11:44:23 AM »

If they are accurate for you in your rifle..they will perform just fine on whitetail..I dropped a nice buck a couple seasons ago with them..

Mac

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2009, 12:18:24 PM »

Got a nice buck Nov. 29th last year with that same bullet in a Handi. Excellent performance. DRT. 220 yards.

Pete

wreckhog · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2009, 01:05:13 PM »

I suspect that the short case deal is more of a drawback in a lever than a Handi. Yes you have to adjust your dies. As long as you can get a sufficent quantity of brass, and aren't going for max loads, no big deal.

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2009, 01:15:00 PM »

OP didn't say if they had standard Handi or BC. In my BC I wasn't too impressed with the LeverEvolution, it's the only factory ammon I ever chronied out of my BC that came up SLOWER than the advertised MV. I think they used a fast powder, that is probably better in the shorter barrel of a guide gun than in a 32" barrel. I still have 10 unfired rounds from the original box. If you handload you can go with a better bullet with a similiar velocity, and for less money per round (or at least that's how it has been for me).

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2009, 03:24:40 PM »

The LE 45-70 ammo was designed for the 24" barreled 1895 XLR, it shoots just a bit slower than advertised in a 24" SS Ultra, accuracy is excellent. Just after Hornady released the LE ammo, the 45-70 proprietary powder they use was in short supply and they sold it marked as rated at ~1850fps(IIRC) instead of 2050fps, so not all 45-70 LE ammo is rated at the higher velocity.

Tim

wtroger · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2009, 03:42:00 PM »

I like the way it shoots in my standard Handi The patterns pretty much match Quick's Plan on trying it on Deer(s) this year.

jacksrbtr46 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2009, 04:40:45 PM »

5 shots 5 deer, the longest shot 210 yards longest a deer has run after being shot, 75 Yards with a blood trail that was easy to follow all shot with Hornady 45-70 LEVERevolution 325gr.

My Biggest Deer last year ran 75 yards: http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,156082.msg1098679104.html#msg1098679104

My hunting partners Biggest deer so far this year dropped where it stood at 190yds: http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,186950.msg1098925167.html#msg1098925167

Plenty other good reports on here. Do a search on 45-70.

Jack

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2009, 04:58:46 PM »

Tim, you suppose that's why mine only chronied 1950 fps out of my BC? Based on experience with other factory I was expecting more like 2100-2200.

tiger yat · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2009, 07:02:14 PM »

Thanks guys,

We'll be shooting it out of a regular 22" handi rifle so it may end up slower than the 2050fps printed on the box. Thats ok, I'm sure it kicks enough even when slow.
My concern was with the pointy look of the bullet and whether it expands or flattens out on impact. The local shop did not have anything else, so no flat nosed bullets were available.

If I get results like jacksrbtr46, that will be great!

I imagine the slightly short case will be ok for reloading, especially at trap-door to medium velocities.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2009, 08:12:36 PM »

Quote from: kevinsmith5 on November 17, 2009, 04:58:46 PM

Tim, you suppose that's why mine only chronied 1950 fps out of my BC? Based on experience with other factory I was expecting more like 2100-2200.

They could very well have been the slower loads, they were marked on the box as such tho. Could also be the proprietary powder looses velocity in the 32" barrel too I suppose. I know 300gr H4198 loads that chrono 2425fps in the 22" barrel only gain another 25fps in the extra 10" of the BC, just depends on the powder I guess.

Tim

BrianB · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2009, 02:25:32 AM »

They are very accurate and they put really big holes in whatever game they hit. The shorter case is not an issue so far as accuracy goes. I would guess it is the #1 seller in 45-70 here in Ms.

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2009, 02:29:56 AM »

The short cases are an issue for reloaders.

JW307 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:24:15 AM »

They shoot great out of my guide gun and the short cases really aren't a huge issue for a reloader because Hornady is producing the FTX bullets as a component now and they have load data listed on their web-site for all the LeverEvolution cartridges.

Jake

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:51:55 AM »

But you can't buy the magic powder.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:57:27 AM »

No magic powders, but those listed will work their own magic.

Tim

http://www.hornady.com/support/downloads/load-data

petemi · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2009, 07:59:11 AM »

Tim, you're O.K., I don't care about all the nasty things your great-great-great grandmother told me about you years ago. You were just a gleam then, and I was pushing middle age.

Pete

wreckhog · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:05:32 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on November 18, 2009, 06:57:27 AM

No magic powders, but those listed will work their own magic.

Tim

http://www.hornady.com/support/downloads/load-data

That AA1680 is getting to be useful to have around.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:38:48 AM »

Quote from: petemi on November 18, 2009, 07:59:11 AM

Tim, you're O.K....

Pete

I think I'm Ok, but yesterday when the doc removed the stent from my ureter I wasn't so sure, man I sure won't be volunteering for that procedure again any time soon!

The good news is I'm stone free now, first time since 1984, the last one was an 8mm rock that took two ESWL treatments to get rid of!!

Thanks "old" friend!!

Tim

Bladeforger · « **Reply #21 on:** November 18, 2009, 10:46:57 AM »

The Leverevolutions shoot flat at 100 yards and kick like 2 mules. I got the bruises to prove it. Ya need a recoil pad or a shooting pad. (Being here in Florida, I was wearing a t-shirt. That's typical range attire around here.)

There's no doubt in my mind that they'd bring down game.

Now, go get a reloading press and some cases and supplies and make up some tamer ones for shooting for fun!!!

petemi · « **Reply #22 on:** November 18, 2009, 01:23:30 PM »

Man!! I'm a skinny 150 lb wop and they don't bother me at all. I EXPECT it to kick. I relax and roll back with the punch. If you try to stand up against it and push back, you'll feel it. Relax, let it go by. It ain't a big thing. Do your homework and learn it. You've got a magnum you never knew you had. I should have used it yesterday when I had does and fawns in front of me at over 200 yards. The .45-70 was there, but I had the .44 mag in my hands and wouldn't take the shot. I've got to add, in all honesty, I was lazy. The meat room hadn't been cleaned and the hot water wasn't connected, and it was 5:30 in the p.m. Good bye deer, see you tomorrow.

Pete

peternap · « **Reply #23 on:** November 18, 2009, 01:42:23 PM »

Somebody gave me a box of those things...If I ever run out of wheelweights, I may try em.

petemi · « **Reply #24 on:** November 18, 2009, 03:59:16 PM »

Peter, try them before you run out of wheel weights....you may actually like them. The LEs do one thing well......they kill.

Pete

jacksrbtr46 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:02:46 PM »

Here in Louisana we shoot/hunt in T shirts too, maybe you might try a tighter hold against your shoulder. If you think that kicks, don't shoot Mossberg 935, 12G in 3.5"magnum. Ours SS Ultra Hunter with Thumbhole stock, BC, and a 22 inch with straight stock don't kick that as hard as a 2 3/4' 12 Guage shotgun in my opinion. My hunting partners 9 year Grandson killed a deer with the 22" straight stock last year.

AMEN Pete!!

Jack

peternap · « **Reply #26 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:14:34 PM »

Quote from: petemi on November 18, 2009, 01:23:30 PM

Man!! I'm a skinny 150 lb wop and they don't bother me at all. I EXPECT it to kick. I relax and roll back with the punch. If you try to stand up against it and push back, you'll feel it. Relax, let it go by. It ain't a big thing. Do your homework and learn it. You've got a magnum you never knew you had. I should have used it yesterday when I had does and fawns in front of me at over 200 yards. The .45-70 was there, but I had the .44 mag in my hands and wouldn't take the shot. I've got to add, in all honesty, I was lazy. The meat room hadn't been cleaned and the hot water wasn't connected, and it was 5:30 in the p.m. Good bye deer, see you tomorrow.

Pete

Recoil is our friend. The more it hurts, the better it kills!

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:37:13 PM »

Hat I can't figure out about the LE's is how sharp the recoil is. I've loaded 410 gr bullets up to 1900 and I sear they don't have the kick of the 1950 LE that are only 325 gr. What's that about?

petemi · « **Reply #28 on:** November 18, 2009, 04:48:58 PM »

I think it's about a super secret magic powder. As peternap says, recoil is our friend.

Pete

Good Night.

xhare · « **Reply #29 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:03:16 PM »

Has anyone noticed a problem with a ring in the chamber (like shooting 38's in a 357 case) from shooting LE 45-70? Just wondering if that would be a problem.