45-70 recoil

philthygeezer said:
The lever evolution stuff doesn't kick that hard
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I've never tried any of that yet but the 400gr Speer and/or 405gr Remington bullets out of my guide gun, pushed by 39grs of IMR 4198 tends to, 'clear the cobwebs'. I still think a pistol grip butt stock and curved lever like I have on my 444S would lessen the 'discomfort' felt by the fingers.
 
Somehow I ended up with both the 1885 and 1886 in 45/70. The Highwall absolutely loves the LeverEvolution ammo right out of the box. The tang sight is deadly at 100m and recoil is managable even though Im a bit of a recoil wuss. Fixed that with a Limbsaver shoulder pad. I am now preparing to load the Hornady bullets from the LeverEvolution rounds and the LeverEvolution powder as well. Apparently I will have no trouble reproducing factory loads. It only works for 325gr but thats a fairly big chunk of lead and I do not feel the need to punish my shoulder with 405gr loats at 1800fps. Been there done that-my 1886 came with a pile of that which has been pulled to make friendlier rounds. They were in the "tile shaking" range. Guys shooting next to you move down a table... :)
 
I have an 1895SBL and my wife has an 1895GBL, we both shoot 450 grain bullets at 1600 FPS. These rifles are not punishing at this level. My Remington 700 in 300WM and my Norinco 14'' HP9 are both far less pleasant to shoot. As others have stated the 45/70 is more of a heavy push than a sharp punch.
 
A long dececeased member of Mission Club used to say " If your 45-70 load doesn't set the world back a quarter turn when you pull the trigger then you better add a bit more powder."
Rest in peace Colin Bracey... Miss you forever....
 
Fun gun to shoot, I've got the 1895G and handload. Everyone at the range tends to stop and wait till I'm done my course of fire! :) Kind of expensive to shoot if you buy factory ammo (out here it's $40-$50 per box of 20).

400 gr @ 1800 fps is punishing to say the least, especially when sitting on a shooting bench. Standing, kneeling or a hunting sitting stance then it's no big deal. A hornady FTX 325gr at max load ain't no piknik either! I'm shooting IMR 4198 which is relatively fast burning powder and probably accounts for the sharp recoil.

I'll be installing a Limbsaver recoil pad very shortly, the stock one may as well be a piece of wood.
 
marcham said:
Fun gun to shoot, I've got the 1895G and handload. Everyone at the range tends to stop and wait till I'm done my course of fire! :) Kind of expensive to shoot if you buy factory ammo (out here it's $40-$50 per box of 20)..
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That's the fly in the ointment. .375 H&H ammo is often $59 a box. Kind of makes one wonder if the guide gun is worth all the effort to make it something the Holland and Holland does without breaking a sweat.
 
I have a Marlin 1895 Cowboy (straight stock, 26 " tapered octagon barrel). With blackpowder handloads (405 gr. bullets from a "Dastardly Dan" designed Lee mould and all the BP I can cram in) it is pleasant and darned impressive (for onlookers) to shoot. I take it hunting with Hornady leverevolution loads and a scope mounted. At the bench I take precautions with the Hornady loads...I take my fingers out of the lever before I fire (too many rapped knuckles) and put a piece of foam between it and my shoulder (no recoil pad on this model) and most importantly hang on to the friggin thing:eek: I didn't one time and the scope knocked my shooting glasses into my face and cut my nose. Not cool. But if I do my part it is tolerable.
 
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The 45/70 with heavy bullets and heavy loads is a much different gun then what most are describing on here, "just a shove", my ass....bullets upwards of 500 grains at over 1600fps don't just shove. You usually get a sore shoulder, bruised and swollen fingers, and a headache, that's what you're paying for.
I'm also unsure how one poster got his .375 H&H to fire 500 grain .458" projectiles?
 
I have a 45/70 TC with a 15" barrel and weights just over 5lbs loaded and with the sling and it's a beast despite the limb saver. But I also shoot hand loads with 405gn bullets but when compared to 300gn factories it's a kitty cat. So it comes down to what your shooting and what your use to shooting.
 
ben hunchak said:
The 45/70 with heavy bullets and heavy loads is a much different gun then what most are describing on here, "just a shove", my ass....bullets upwards of 500 grains at over 1600fps don't just shove. You usually get a sore shoulder, bruised and swollen fingers, and a headache, that's what you're paying for.
I'm also unsure how one poster got his .375 H&H to fire 500 grain .458" projectiles?
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;) You're about as diplomatic as I am :p.
 
There are 2 loads I like.
One is my powder puff load: 500gr cast lead bullet in front of 12 grains of IMR700X doing 1200fps. I can shoot this all day.

The next is a 405 grain hollow point doing 1600fps in front of IMR 4064. I shoot 5 of these and thats enough.
There are many tolerable loads with the 45/70. Reloading your own is beneficial.
I have some 305 grain factory that just hurt.
 
ben hunchak said:
The 45/70 with heavy bullets and heavy loads is a much different gun then what most are describing on here, "just a shove", my ass....bullets upwards of 500 grains at over 1600fps don't just shove. You usually get a sore shoulder, bruised and swollen fingers, and a headache, that's what you're paying for.
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Agree. My 1895g with my handloads actually makes my teeth hurt after a few rounds. Stoked properly, it is not a round for the recoil sensitive.
 
I have a 6 3/4lb double with 405gr remington express the barrels barely move. The 325 leverulution bumps good and has even made some of my bigger friends hand me back the gun without taking the 2nd shot. They don't bother me to much but I seem to soak up recoil rather well. I can't wait to reload for this caliber
 
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