opinions on N.E,F. 45/70

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bruno

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i'm thinking of getting a short range moose gun for the canoe. it will also be used as a camp gun. want something that hits HARD, but is still cheap, as it may end up in the water. i do reload, so thats not an issue.
What do you guys think of the new england firearms? i've never shot one, so i've got no experience with them. they have them at cabelas/SIR for 336.00
sound good to me.
are there better options for this price range?
 
I tried a friend's .243 and it was very accurate and he said he had no trouble with it. So now I have a Superlight model in .223Remington. It works as advertised and is as accurate as I am.

I don't like the shape of the forestock on the wooden stocked Handi-Rifles but the laminate stock on the H&R Ultras is o.k. and I do like the synthetic stock on my Superlight. If I buy another rifle it will be either a Handi-Rifle or H&R Ultra in .308 or 30.06 (for deer, and if I ever go for them, moose and elk.)
 
I have one in 45/70. it is a great gun for the money. i have an old banner 2.5 power scope on see through rings for the longer shots. i find the 405 grain loads kick less then the 300 grains. I realy dont know why. It is used as a bear, camp gun also. more accurate then i am.
 
Use a 45-70 NEF as a "mooser" , easy to carry , cheap , back-up shots are easy & quick,even use it a bit at the range . She is what I'd call "Field accurate"-- sighted in at 200 yds. -about 6"to 8" five shot groups w/ handloads. Recoil is'nt too bad (nothing bone shattering) about the same as any larger cal. center fire . MORE than adequate for the use you decribed . Watch out for some poor quality control , though as i had the transfer bar FALL out of another in .223 because the pin had n't been Peened by the factory, All in all ,You will NOT find a better rifle for the money !!
 
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I had one and would still be using it if I didn't have a shoulder injury. Yes they give you a good boot in the shoulder. The 405g bullets kick less because they are going about 1300-1400 fps and the 300's are going over 1800. Mine was very accurate and had no trouble hitting a 6" plate at 300 yards, but it takes range time to hit targets at the longer ranges.
 
I have one of the Buffalo Classics from H and R in 45-70 and its a great rifle. Very accurate, well balanced and a pleasure to shoot offhand. Actualy I think its marked Harrington and Wesson; and they run more that 3xx.00--more like 480 + taxes when I bought mine. Have never run full factory loads through it.
But good quality and decent wood.
 
A buddy has one in 204 not accurate at all, and i was in the gun shop when another one came in for exchange as it was a key holer. A 204 should be a tack driver at 100 foot range.
 
There are so many 45-70s out there that are better built and more tlerant of hot handloads (and by hot I mean better than the anaemic ####e you get in factory ammo) that there is no reason to buy a NEF. Either a Ruger #1 or a Marlin would be a way better choice. Yes they are more money, but I don't see anyone on here with a particularly convincing reason to buy the NEF over one of the quality rifles. Yes, cheap rifles can be good (the Stevens 200 being the best example) but the NEF's only redeeming quality is the price tag.

You couldn't give me one.
 
Willy Tincup said:
I have one of the Buffalo Classics from H and R in 45-70 and its a great rifle. Very accurate, well balanced and a pleasure to shoot offhand. Actualy I think its marked Harrington and Wesson; and they run more that 3xx.00--more like 480 + taxes when I bought mine. Have never run full factory loads through it.
But good quality and decent wood.
Click to expand...

I like to hear that,just bought one myself,gonna go pick it up tomorrow.

never had a problem with my NEF in .204.accurate enough to take it's first yote @ 342 paces.
 
20" arms and deltoids like a gorilla makes the .45-70 a weeny gun:D

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LOL! ya they kick but a very nice carry gun I have one that I carry all the time when in the bush scouting, or taking the wife picking berrys or building tree stands, even taking bait to the bear stands, with a full load 350 grain hdy.
Its light its short its perfect for this and I think better than a shot gun because of teh wieght, and perfect if needed at close range. I have a williams peep on mine

I like my little 45-70 and likely carry it more than any other rifle i own when wondering around the woods
 
have both

have a marlin and the nef. I perfer the marlin because i can still shoot 4-10s out of it. Been trying to make 4-10 out 4570 shells and have not got it right yet. For quality, marlin is better. Have not shot mine much yet but does shoot good enough for a utility gun. Better off looking for a used marlin. Nef does seem to have a little less in quality. Recaoil is about the same in both rifles and does not seem to be a extreme kick. Advantage is that the shells can be all purpose which kick very little to loaded hot that does kick hard..

k
 
I've shot the buffalo classic and the handi rifle.
The Buffalo classic is a good BPCR rifle for cast bullets.:)
The handi rifle in 45/70 is a POS IMO!:cool:
I would not buy one, there are better deals out there.....
Cat
 
Each is to there own, but I do not fear beating this gun up, vs my #1s which are heavy.

Its a beater gun for me and only 3 feet long or so. I got the 45/70 over the 12 g which I was thinking. Mine shoots 3- 4inch groups at 100 yards and handles full loads. I do not expect anything more from it, and it has proven its self for me in a bad situation and is the next best thing from packing a side arm.(which we all know we can not)

I do not take it hunting, but to pack on a bike or on a pack or keep in a tent as a stopper its the cats ass. Mine is scrathced to hell and I love it.
 
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I don't know anything about Nefs rifles but I have a Marlin guide gun in 45/70and would highly recomend them. It is accuate and has taken lots of game including bear and moose. There are tons of loads and bullet weights to choose from for the 45/70. (250gr to 550gr) I hunt with 350gr Hornady FN @ 2100fps (3in 100yrds) and or Jae bok young 420gr cast bullet @ 1800fps (1moa 100yrds). The''ll put the hurt on anything that walks. Don't ruin meat either. For fun plinking I shoot 405 cast @ 1300fps, still deadly, just not on your shoulder.

Cheers

Seabass
 
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