Hunting Grizzly with the 45-70

[Slamfire]

Right, we're still on topic with other 45-70 rifles. I would much rather prefer my 45-70 Ruger No.1-S loaded with a 500gr at 1900 fps MV, 400gr at 2250 fps, 350gr at 2400 fps or 300gr TSX at 2600 fps. That big Grizzly is going down.

 

[unstableryan]

An early edition of the Hornady Handbook has load data for the 500gr RN in a Winchester 1886 lever rifle. If I recall correctly 1400 fps is listed as maximum. I managed get muzzle speed up to 1625 fps safely in a 24" barrel Marlin. Should perform well on heavy game. Takes the Marlin 45-70 to the next level.

Which powder? I used 3031 just to fill the case and compress safely because you can't crimp in the groove. I have other powders.

 

[Slamfire]

Reloder15, it has magical properties with 45 caliber 500gr bullets. Also works great in my 458 Win. Mag. and 458 Lott.

 

[medvedqc]

FYI, it has been becoming more popular to use the .45-70 (with premium bullets) for dangerous in Africa. I have no doubt with the right bullet and shot placement it will be fine for grizz. Supposedly many guides have carried these as backups to clients guns as well.

there is some places where you wont find guides taking the stunt on it ....(talking about Africa)

 

[Slamfire]

Would be a cool stunt with a lever, rolling block or trapdoor 45-70 but obviously not worth the risk of getting one's azz chewed/stomped over.

 

[medvedqc]

if you load it at max compressed here imagine what can happen after few days at +35 under direct sun .... now on the kind of rifle for some maybe but not my choice ...

 

[BigUglyMan]

FYI, it has been becoming more popular to use the .45-70 (with premium bullets) for dangerous in Africa. I have no doubt with the right bullet and shot placement it will be fine for grizz. Supposedly many guides have carried these as backups to clients guns as well.

Bull-#### to the Africa comment. A few people over the years have used it but it is generally regarded as a stunt. Half the power of generally accepted minimum cartridges with poor bullet selection for deep penetration.

 

[medvedqc]

Bull-#### to the Africa comment. A few people over the years have used it but it is generally regarded as a stunt. Half the power of generally accepted minimum cartridges with poor bullet selection for deep penetration.

there is some countries where the 45/70 is not meeting the energy minimal requirement ... we are not in Africa, a lot of big game has been taken in North America with it and the OP is clever in having another rifle as a back up but there is better option even if i understood the nostalgia thing ...

 

[brybenn]

What's more dangerous? A inland grizzly or a cape buffalo?
Kevin doctari Robertson once told me he would have no issues guiding me to a cape buffalo using a 45/70 with heavy bullets. I realize he's a professional and it's his job to save the clients ass from said cape buffalo but if it were really such a bad idea I highly doubt he'd be Ok with a client using one
However I plan to use a 458 wm instead but that's another post

Many grizzlies have been taken well before big magnums were common. Bullets haven't gotten worse and guns haven't gotten weaker in the last hundred years. I've never shot a grizzly but I'd bet they aren't bullet proof

Op make sure you post pix for us who can only dream of hunting grizzly for now

 

[saskgunowner101]

Bull-#### to the Africa comment. A few people over the years have used it but it is generally regarded as a stunt. Half the power of generally accepted minimum cartridges with poor bullet selection for deep penetration.

While I don't think I'd use the 45-70 for African game, it seems to have a fair amount of snort loaded up. In the 3,200-3,500 fpe range. I dunno if that's enough for grizzly though.

http://www.realguns.com/loads/4570.htm

 

[Slamfire]

While I don't think I'd use the 45-70 for African game, it seems to have a fair amount of snort loaded up. In the 3,200-3,500 fpe range. I dunno if that's enough for grizzly though.

http://www.realguns.com/loads/4570.htm

Real Guns lumped the Marlin with the Ruger No.1?? My No.1 easily has about 300 fps over the Marlin.

 

[hoytcanon]

Real Guns lumped the Marlin with the Ruger No.1?? My No.1 easily has about 300 fps over the Marlin.

Your 22" Ruger No.1 has nothing over a 22" 1895... maybe the load you feed it has 300 fps over the load you would be inclined to feed the Marlin... that is a somewhat different kettle.

 

[Slamfire]

Yes - nothing except 300 fps more MV. Oh...and it's prettier.

 

[hoytcanon]

Yes - nothing except 300 fps more MV. Oh...and it's prettier.

You get zero more MV if you plug the same load into both guns...

But, the No.1 is definitely prettier.

 

[Suther]

Right, we're still on topic with other 45-70 rifles. I would much rather prefer my 45-70 Ruger No.1-S loaded with a 500gr at 1900 fps MV, 400gr at 2250 fps, 350gr at 2400 fps or 300gr TSX at 2600 fps. That big Grizzly is going down.

400gr at 2250fps? That i would feel better about. Actually, the 300gr TSX might be the best, as the low weight is countered by the penetration capabilites of a tsx, and you should still have enough velocity to create a substantial temporary cavity/hydraulic shock effect.

 

[unstableryan]

Yes - nothing except 300 fps more MV. Oh...and it's prettier.

But bet I can put out 5 faster than you can 2

btw, I'd also love to own a #1

 

[Slamfire]

No contest there.

 

[Slamfire]

..the No.1 is definitely prettier.

These sure are great looking rifles.

 

[hoytcanon]

I have never tried the TSX in my No.1... I assume that is the #30630 that is being referred to? I don't shoot anything with the rifle that requires a TSX... it mostly gets fed 405 hard cast... and 325 FTX for deer.

 

[medvedqc]

What's more dangerous? A inland grizzly or a cape buffalo?
Kevin doctari Robertson once told me he would have no issues guiding me to a cape buffalo using a 45/70 with heavy bullets. I realize he's a professional and it's his job to save the clients ass from said cape buffalo but if it were really such a bad idea I highly doubt he'd be Ok with a client using one
However I plan to use a 458 wm instead but that's another post

Many grizzlies have been taken well before big magnums were common. Bullets haven't gotten worse and guns haven't gotten weaker in the last hundred years. I've never shot a grizzly but I'd bet they aren't bullet proof

Op make sure you post pix for us who can only dream of hunting grizzly for now

Doctari can maybe do that in some countries but there is some that he shouldnt ...

nothing is bullet proof you are right but it s when the s...t hit the fan it s the time you want stuff that has been proven to work in any conditions ...

the prophet Kevin where he is on the lowest speed like 2200fps for 9.3 and even 2300 for 375 with the heaviest will give some hints about where you want to go ... not even everybody even in his own country are followers ...

the late Don Heath that i consider my friend was not exactly on the same wagon and even if he likes the 9.3x62 i never heard him saying good stuff about the 45-70 ... but Zimbabwe and South Africa are really differents when it come the hunt on DG.

i was charged once in my life by a little tiny central-West africa buffalo (same call them dwarf...) i was glad to have a 460 wea mag in my hands ...

back to Grizzly we have a member that has his neighbour using a 270 winnie with 150 and or 160 nosler partition bullet with success but there is but he is not reading internet ...