45-70 bullet choice
- Thread starter zeddy32
- Start date
Being your NEW to the 45-70 just buy Hornady 325 gr FTX ammo shoot it a bunch and get used to the rifle- that ammo kills well with LUNG shots on animals too ! RJ
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If your planning on reloading, the hornady brass is 1/10 short. My guide gun did not like that for cycling.
Just saying.
Just saying.
^That's what I did with Cabelas latest ammo sale.
I do plan on reloading for the 45-70 @ some point, but for now the Hornady LeverEvolution fits the bill.
Interested in what other guys are doing with roll your own options! Pics of harvested game with a report would be cool!
Cheers
Jay
- Location
- NFA country
405 grain Woodleigh Weldcore
YoMomma, with pics like this, you'll covert all the ladies over to 45-70!!! Awesome
I have a lee 350 grain.
Big bore dinosaur
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NORT OF COW.TOWN.EH
Makes a valid point.. the shorter hornady brass is to short for any other boolits, but the FTX.. something to consider when buying ammo.
your boom stick
leveractionjunkie
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
On game I’ve only ever used the Speer 400grFNSP and the Remington 405grFNSP propelled by IMR 3031. Was looking to load some Barnes 300grTSX as I’ve switched to non leaded bullets for edible game.
For just plain shooting nothing beats a 405gr cast FN over trailboss or unique or red dot. Nice and pleasant to shoot and generally accurate.
For just plain shooting nothing beats a 405gr cast FN over trailboss or unique or red dot. Nice and pleasant to shoot and generally accurate.
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
My go to load is a 350gr Hornady RNFP ahead of a near max charge of H4198. Thumps on both ends.
So I load 250 gr - 540 gr jacketed and cast bullets in my 45-70 Guide Gun WHY do some of you THINK the shorter BRASS will not work as well as the longer brass ? The only REASON the shorter brass was developed by Hornady was to suit the COAL of 250 GMX and the 325 FTX bullets . Hornady still used the long brass with the 350 gr RN & FN Bullet . BUT there is NO problem using the SHORT brass with any bullet you just end up with a shorter COAL with most bullets . I Do use the long brass mostly BUT you have to use SHORT brass with the 2 Horn GMX & FTX bullets to get the correct OAL lenght and crimp in the cannelure . I have NEVER had a Feed problem in my 1895G with either brass ! RJ
Weatherby2
CGN Regular
- Location
- British Columbia
I shoot the Ruger No1 in 45-70 my goto load is 56grs of h4198 and the 300gr tsx FB very accurate load won't work for lever actions though.
In a 450 Marlin (ballistic twin to the 45-70, just uses a belt instead of a rim) I use RCBS molds to make 45-300FN & 45-405FN slugs. Both are flat nose design and performance on several deer is excellent with most dropping within a couple of steps of impact. Unfortunately I've never been able to retrieve a single slug, getting full penetration with all. Cast bullets are cheap and easy to make. I've even used 50 cal muzzle loading balls (.490") pushed through a LEE sizer (.460") and seated over a minimal amount of shotgun powder to produce a "grouse" load that has almost zero recoil. The 400+ gr heavy loads are hard on my shoulder and not necessary for deer out to 100 yards so I rarely shoot those but with cast you can load anything in between.
