Author Topic: Why All The Love For The 45/70 ?? (Read 1705 times)

bigbigjoe76 · « **on:** January 22, 2010, 12:53:06 AM »

Seems to me that most ppl would want to stay away from a shoulder bruiser that big bore looks like it would be, but seems it is probably the most popular caliber among the many here. Why? What makes it your favorite? What is so great about them? I know they have lots of knockdown power. I know they have awesome penetration. I know they are accurate only to a short range even though they can shoot farther. I've never shot one so I know very little.

So.....Learn Me Sumthin

Joe

Swampman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2010, 01:51:55 AM »

It doesn't have to kick bad at all. The Remington 405 grain factory load is a real pleasure and will kill anything. The .45-70s inherent accuracy is the thing I like most about it. A bad .45-70 load is hard to find. Thumbing one of those fat rounds into the chamber makes me grin. Visions of the 7th Cav. dance around in my head.

greg916 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2010, 01:53:21 AM »

I've loaded mine with everything from .457 round balls to 500gr bullets. Everything from plinking to Hogs. I just think the 45/70 and the Handi go together like bread and butter

handirandy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:27:35 AM »

You can shoot it mild to wild in factory and reloaded ammo
Good bullet selection for reloading
Comparable to other rounds in reloading costs
good out to 250 yards which is inside most hunting situations
kills just about anything with authority
accurate enough to get the job done
also available in handgun
nostalgia
kids can shoot it mild
most firearms that it is chambered in balance and carry well
nuff said

hunter63 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:47:02 AM »

I had always wanted a Springfield, after shooting one w/Black powder at the range.
Seems to me more of a push than a kick.
Couldn't justify spending $1500 up for one.
The 45/70 barrel cost me $55 at the time.
It is fun.

I do think a big draw to the Handi is simply not having to be rich to afford a lot of different calibers/guns.
I know it is for me.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:06:56 AM »

Its fun.

coues2506 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:08:34 AM »

Haven't your heard? BIGGER IS BETTER!

Blackhawker · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:10:20 AM »

History, fun to load, fun to shoot, power and it's GREAT to shoot from a pistol!

xhare · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:45:24 AM »

The most accurate rifle I personally have ever shot is my early 1990's Handi Rifle 45-70. One 3 shot 100 yard group with a stout load of H-322 and Hornady 350gr round nose bullets could be covered with a nickel. Three 458 caliber holes hidden under one nickel!!! Are you kidding me!! I have never lost a deer with the 45-70. Also, I have owned several 45-70 rifles over the years. The Handi was the first and the only one I still own.

While the Handi is available in high pressure rounds (308, 7mm-08, 270) and does well, it seems to do its best work with the lower pressure rimmed cartridges (30-30, 357, 45-70).

wreckhog · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:48:16 AM »

I'd take a Pedersoli Sharps over a Handi any day. Problem is now that I can afford one, I cannot use irons past spitting distance. The Handi kicks like a 30-30 or 44 Mag with Remington 405's. Not too sure why, but that is how it is.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2010, 05:45:22 AM »

Here's some readin from the FAQs for ya Joe.

Tim

American's Mid-range Marvel, the 45-70 Government

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2010, 06:52:24 AM »

Its a 150 year old cartridge in a simple old style rifle. I guess for me its just getting back to hunting roots

Mad Dog · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2010, 07:17:45 AM »

I'll address this to the cartridge. All of my big game hunting[with the exception of whitetails] has been done with a 45-70, in the last 6 yrs. I've taken hogs, bear, and 7 head of african plains game, with the grand old cartridge. The gun is a Marlin Guide Gun, but I'm getting ready to buy a handi pretty soon

, thanks to my son and this forum. I have shot animals at point blank range[ft.] out to 200 yds. With the exception of 1 animal[zebra] everything was dead within a matter of feet. I've only lost 1 animal[gemsbok] due to a very poor hit on my part.

All of the animals were killed with the 300 gr. nosler partition, except for a bear taken with the hornady LE ammo. I don't see a need, at least for me, to hunt with anything but a .45-70.

Mad Dog

canon6 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2010, 07:19:50 AM »

A one word answer, from a old fart "CAUSE" nuff said Doug

petemi · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2010, 08:37:36 AM »

Quote from: bigbigjoe76 on January 22, 2010, 12:53:06 AM

I know they are accurate only to a short range even though they can shoot farther. I've never shot one so I know very little.

So.....Learn Me Sumthin

Joe

Joe, the .45-70 is accurate...period. Accurate at 50 yards or 500. The accuracy doesn't reside solely in this rifle....it resides with the driver. I keep stretching the range on mine, and I am awed. My next step is to do something with my scope. I'll soon be out of elevation, but the bullets go where you send them. It is NOT just a 100 yard rifle and wasn't meant to be all the way back to the 1800s.

Pete

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2010, 08:44:09 AM »

Glad to see ya back on-line Pete. DP

45-70.gov · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2010, 08:58:15 AM »

Quote from: bigbigjoe76 on January 22, 2010, 12:53:06 AM

Seems to me that most ppl would want to stay away from a shoulder bruiser that big bore looks like it would be, but seems it is probably the most popular caliber among the many here. Why? What makes it your favorite? What is so great about them? I know they have lots of knockdown power. I know they have awesome penetration. I know they are accurate only to a short range even though they can shoot farther. I've never shot one so I know very little.

So.....Learn Me Sumthin

Joe

looks like a shoulder bruiser......yea but its not so bad
but it can be if you want it to.......if your man enough
i am going to make some hot loads......soon.....i can't find reloading data
..............[he's scared]

it is the biggest most impressive round that is easy to handle
thats what got me started
after that it is the historical thing
after that i like to cast and reload...its a tinkerers round
i am still in awe when i notice those huge components on the bench next to 357s and 44mags

NO OTHER ROUND HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER......PERIOD

petemi · « **Reply #17 on:** January 22, 2010, 08:59:22 AM »

DP, I caught a virus.....not me the 'puter. Good to be home

Pete

Sourdough · « **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2010, 10:30:43 AM »

Two words: Versatility and Effectiveness, nough said.

Kal52 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2010, 11:13:51 AM »

the 45-70 just plain old works, its accurate, lots of power, it reloads easy and more importantly its fun.
Ive had 3 so far, kept 2. My handi and my marlin CB. both are great fun to shoot, though havent messed with the handi as much.
my Origional guide gun had the ported barrel and it needed a new home, was way too loud!

Oh, and the folks that say its a short range gun, dont know too much about it then. Probably the guys that wont go into the woods without a "magnum" to shoot a deer.

Funny thing is just today I saw a rifle that may just have a home, if I can get the price down, at my local toy shop I saw a 45-70 custom built on a mauser action, very well done and really a nice looking rifle. 650 bucks was a bit high for me today so I passed, but I may just have to do the whole layaway game.

Swampman · « **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2010, 01:51:34 PM »

Elmer Keith poisoned my young mind

petemi · « **Reply #21 on:** January 22, 2010, 01:55:23 PM »

Hey Swamp....me too....I guess we're both brain dead

Pete

gendoc · « **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:07:14 PM »

you jus bout summed it up in yur question..........
but there's things that you will find, when you get one.

ya jus gotta have it. cus its a hoot !!!!!!!

Chas. · « **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:27:43 PM »

The above and - my old eyes can see the bullet holes in the target without messing with a spotting scope.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:15:51 PM »

just get one

then you will know

a scope is not fitting on this old round

3 of my 4 have scopes....i wanted one to be neked
may soon be 4 for 4

workin man · « **Reply #25 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:45:09 PM »

Quote from: Chas. on January 22, 2010, 02:27:43 PM

The above and - my old eyes can see the bullet holes in the target without messing with a spotting scope.

Got a Laugh out of this reply.

There are a few things that attracted me to the H&R in 45-70. First, I have always been interested in the 45-70 for a number of reasons (history and the big bore mainly). Second, I really have never had an interest in lever actions, they just don't appeal to me. Third I wanted something that could handle loads from mild to wild, ruling out trapdoor, rolling blocks etc. Fourth I have a very limited budget, ruling out Ruger #1's and Siamese Mausers.

This pretty much left the H&R as the only option in my price range. I haven't shot it much, only offhand with open sights, but was happy to find it on target at 50yds without adjusting the factory sights (minute of paper coffee cup at 50yds). The only load I have tried so far is the factory loaded Hornady Leverevolution, I would compare the recoil to a 3-1/2" 12ga shooting light, fast steel loads.

There are lots of options to reduce the recoil beyond this point. Lighter loads, upgraded recoil pad, mercury recoil reducer in the buttstock or filling the buttstock with lead shot. Adding a scope (which adds weight as well) can also soften felt recoil.

For my purposes, I like the fact that the rifle is light and compact, so I want to add as little weight as possible. I am planning on upgrading the recoil pad (probably a limbsaver) and I am adding a scope, but with quick detach rings, so I can use the open sights if I choose too.

Jim

BluDino · « **Reply #26 on:** January 24, 2010, 10:39:12 AM »

Anybody who is a gun nut is a cartridge nut. This is the cartridge that was used at about 1300 fps with black powder in the Gatling gun. See 'Josie Wales'. This is the cartridge that is a pussycat at that speed but is also deadly. This is the same cartridge that can also be loaded heavy enough to kill Cape Buffalo and elephant. The .45-70 is a RIFLEMAN's cartridge. For a man who is not afraid to study his trajectory and understand what will happen when he pulls the trigger on a target at 100, 200, 300 or 1000 yards on a deer or elk or a Grizzly. The NEF rifle is a rifle that does not concern itself with snotty people who will not look at a rifle unless it costs over $3000. It is a rifle for the rifleman that understands that it is not about the rifle and what was spent to obtain it, it is about what the rifle will DO. An NEF in .45-70 will do anything a Rifleman wants to do except kill small rodents. It will explode those.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:13:27 AM »

Its just impossible to explain the Rocky Mountains to someone who has never been there.

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 25, 2010, 10:17:48 AM »

Mine gives me right at one inch groups at 100 yards. This is without any real work, it was the first load I tried. And the second, third . . . you get the idea.

Very cheap to shoot. I've got moulds for round ball (147 grains) to the Postel (565 grains). Works with all sorts of powders, loads from powder puff to "you'll only shoot one".

What's not to love?

Cat

tykempster · « **Reply #29 on:** January 25, 2010, 01:54:49 PM »

Despite the fact that it's "large", the 45-70 doesn't really have that much power at all with factory rounds, leading to a milder than expected experience. It is however accurate way past short range with a good shooter who can read wind. And you can load it to be a powerful cartridge if you like.