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Author Topic: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.  (Read 748 times)

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Offline whitedog

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Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« on: January 10, 2010, 02:23:11 PM »
Well finally got to the range with the Handi 45/70, Marlin 336 and Marlin 1894C. I was shooting Hornady Lever evolution 325 grainers. From the bench the recoil was well.....fierce. Accuracy was ok with the stock sights about 3" @ 25 yds. I think I was a might recoil sensitive. @ 100 yds I could ring the 10" gong regularly from the bench but had some difficulty off hand, definitely minute of deer though. The 1894C well.....just shot the center out of the target and the same for the 336. I think I'll get a good recoil reducer and some better sights for the handi. Any thoughts? ;D
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Offline Catshooter45

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2010, 02:42:06 PM »
From what others have posted here the Lever evolutions are fairly hot.  They may be more than you need.  I know they are more than I need.  If I wanted that sort of power I'd go to a heavier bullet.  But then I'm not a jacketed bullet fan, I prefer cast lead.

They are a great gun/caliber, that's for sure.


Cat
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2010, 02:46:48 PM »
Limbsaver pad, slipon is $20 at Wal-mart.  That is the best 20 you can spend for taking the kick out of the ol' girl.  I can't see the sights good enough to get any kind of group, had to go to a scope.  Have a K 2.5 Weaver on it now, may put one of the Nikons with BDC to see how they work for the drop at longer ranges.  The LE's do have some kick, if you handload you can load it down till ya get used to her.  DP
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RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline wreckhog

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2010, 02:48:13 PM »
Remington 405's are a lot easier on the shoulder.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2010, 02:52:00 PM »
Buy a box of Remington 405 grain factory loads.  Your accuracy will improve greatly and you won't need to buy a recoil reducer.  I would only use HornadyLEs in any caliber if I couldn't get anything else.

A Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32 would be a good investment.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline whitedog

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2010, 02:52:57 PM »
I'm gonna try the Remington 300 ans 405s. I went with the leverevolutions mainly because they were about 5 bucks a box cheaper.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2010, 02:54:32 PM »
The Remington 300s will kick as bad as the LE325s.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline tykempster

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2010, 03:26:21 PM »
Another suggestion, you could get an pretty cheap reloading setup that would work fine for less than the cost of a couple boxes of 45-70 shells.  Then load them as mild as you like to get used to it.
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Offline wreckhog

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2010, 04:13:15 PM »
Quote from: Swampman on January 10, 2010, 02:54:32 PM
The Remington 300s will kick as bad as the LE325s.
I would disagree. To me, 405 kick a touch less than a 30-30, 300 a little more and Leverevolutions, like shooting a 30-06. I have been burning through a couple boxes of 300 and 405 a week. Leverevolution, I don't bother with on paper, though I have 5 boxes just in case I change my mind.
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Offline whitedog

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2010, 04:21:51 PM »
Got the reloading set. Lee hand press etc. I load for 357, 30/30 and 8mm mauser. Just need some dies and bullets. The Hornady brass is a bit shorter than say Remington. Anybody reload it using Rem 300 or 405's? The leverevolutions kick like my Mauser shooting 196 grain military loads.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2010, 04:29:32 PM »
You can reload the Hornady brass using the Remington 405s and crimp in the crimp groove.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline wreckhog

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2010, 04:39:16 PM »
For a Handi, case length and crimp are less of an issue. Sell your lever :)
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Offline S.E.Ak

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Re: Shot my Handi 45/70 today for the first time.
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2010, 07:43:26 PM »
Just don't trim the Hornady cases as they are short already
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