45-70 for close in camp gun?

Wouldn't be my first choice. Barrel is awfully long and it would be slow to get a second shot off. I have one and love it, but I'd rather something more along the lines of a Marlin 1895 in a modern rifle or a Winchester 71 or 86 if you like something older.
 
Win M94 in 30-30 would work well for a backup and it's cheap to buy and feed. I'm currently using a Savage 99 in 300 Savage as a back up. If you're dead set on using 45-70, Marlin 1895 hands down.
 
45/70 Marlin Guide Gun FOREVER!!!! Great little walkin' around gun too. Slings great across the back, and 100 pound girls can shoot it well. Maybe it's our favorite walking gun because the 12 ga Valtro PM5 is more cumbersome. Just my 2 cents...
 
Ok, assuming you got some scoped out rifle for hunting & now you want to use a 45-70 falling block for a camp gun instead of a shotgun? How do bush chickens look after they been hit with 300 grains of lead minimum? Or do you plan on taking 1/2 dozen guns camping? Me, I usually take one scoped rifle, one open sighted rifle for back up (with any luck it never comes out of the case) & one shotgun. The other 1/2 dozen rifles that usually follow me into camp are to sell to my buddies already up there who have either missed or haven't seen shate...
 
Oh yeah, not a replacement for my 30-06 or whatever. I'm talking close in camp gun, for big brown hairy things that go bump in the night. Mine with XS peep sight shoots decent little groups, last time she tried, my wife actually had the bullet holes touching each other at 50 yards. Also comes in handy for removing tree stumps and derelict vehicles from the neighbour's yard.
 
DANCESWITHEMPTIES said:
Ok, assuming you got some scoped out rifle for hunting & now you want to use a 45-70 falling block for a camp gun instead of a shotgun?

How do bush chickens look after they been hit with 300 grains of lead minimum? Or do you plan on taking 1/2 dozen guns camping?
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You're on the right track.... I take a 300WM for my main hunting rifle, and was thinking of the 45-70 as a back up. I don't usually worry about grouse when I am gunning for moose.

Just trying to cut back on hardware being dragged into camp.
 
Having carried a single shot rifle (Ruger #1 .416 Rigby) as a bear gun, I will say that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages for most people. In my case these disadvantages did not relate to either the handeling or single shot issue as a falling block can be reloaded quickly with practice. I have had enough close contact experience with bears that I "might" be less prone to make a mistake with that initial shot. Over time I became concerned with the Ruger's habit of coming off safe while being carried slung. Often when stopping for a break after several hours on the trail the safety would inexplicably be in the fire position. I don't know if this malady is shared by the Browning or not, bit it resulted in having a loaded rifle ready to fire pointed at a companion's legs when carried muzzle down, my preference, and the muzzle was too close to my ear when carried muzzle up. I tried carrying the rifle out of battery but this resulted in decorating the tundra with expensive Rigby handloads. I got so that I would not allow anyone to walk on my left side. I prefer to carry a rifle without a round in the chamber, then I don't need to concern myself with a mechanical safety at all so now my bear guns are repeaters. When I suspect I might have a problem I have the rifle in my hands with the round chambered, when the problem has been resolved, the round goes back in the magazine and carrying is resumed with an empty chamber.

In your case, you will be looking for a gun for camp use, rather than one for packing around. This being the case you issue is the opposite of mine. Having the round in the chamber won't be a problem provided everyone in camp is aware of the rules. But the problem occurs should you need the gun quickly without warning. In such a stressful situation it is possible that your first shot will not be a good one. For this reason, if a .45.70 is the gun you want, a Marlin '95 is a better choice as a back up shot is only a moment away.
 
popcan said:
You're on the right track.... I take a 300WM for my main hunting rifle, and was thinking of the 45-70 as a back up. I don't usually worry about grouse when I am gunning for moose.

Just trying to cut back on hardware being dragged into camp.
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I would then suggest that whatever open sighted repeater you have around your place that will take out moose be used as both your camp gun & your back up rifle. Not even a 22 or a pellet pistol or a sling shot for chickens?

'No bush chicken soup for you!'

A guide gun, a 30-30 or a sporterized 303 have always worked for me as a back up rifle. I kinda like my secondary rifle to be compact & for the roll you want it to play; the falling block, although a pretty rifle might not fit the bill.
Unless you really want to take it, than fill your boots!

Now that I'm back East again, my biggest fear of predators at camp are my
Irish/German brother or one of his crazy French inlaws (my surrogate family!) trying to replace my good rye with the likes of C.C. or Silk Tassle...:D :p
Only Blackies & I guess maybe the odd cougar (never seen tracks or tails of one) where I hunt now, so no need for a camp gun, especially a rifle that must have to have one in the chamber all the time to be useful... Hope this helps.
 
1895GS.asp


I have this exact rifle...and I cant say enough about it..Its a great rifle for a camp gun, a gun for big game hunting...or just having fun...This is by frar my favorite of all my rifles..
 
Seabass said:
I wouldn't use a 45/70 as a camp/moose gun, the bullets may be big but they are probally to slow to really work well on game.... Probablly a 50 yard gun max anyway..
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Hehehehe... Put a hurt on moose out 200 yds no problem. Curved trajectory limits it past that, but vernier style rear sight would fix that. Picture a 350-500 grain piece of lead coming in at around 1500 ft/sec. Still a 'ton' of energy at 200 + yds... Expansion, no problem either.
 
yup, may not have the range, but certainly has the striking power.

ok, convinced, leave the 45-70 at home, bring the 30-30 for backup, and maybe even still bring the 12g for sentry duty once the moose is hanging.......


Sticks work good on grouse too.... and the ammo is environmentally friendly!
 
I picked up a really cheap old single 12 ga. a few years ago for the birdies at camp. No worries about scratches, dents or dings. A true truck gun. Breaks up & packs easy. Other guys bring beater 22's. & I don't think you'll go wrong using that 30-30...
 
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