Looking for opinions on a 45-70 gov't.

My Steyr Mannlicher Big Bore 450 Marlin is a real thumper, pushing 350 gr @ 2300+ with MOA results... JP.
450050.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
450047.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
z047.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
If you're planning to shoot it then best if you are a reloader or know someone who will help you. Factory ammo is weak and expensive - not a great comination, LOL.

But if you are a reloader then a 45-70 is great choice, and the Marlin1895 is a fantastic rifle.
 
Ya I plan on doing my own reload. I know it can get pretty expensive especially if you buy something like Garrett cartridges. ...but wow, i'm definitely buying a couple boxes of 500 or 540 grain just in case i'm tracking a monster.
All of you have been a lot of help.
Thank you
 
Ar180shooter said:
Or Hornady Leverevolution... 325gr FTX at 2050 FPS.

Those kick hard.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, please tell me you're being sarcastic? Those are about as tame as it gets without going to a plinking load. And I'm not one of those guys that thinks recoil is fun.
 
dahs said:
I'm sorry, please tell me you're being sarcastic? Those are about as tame as it gets without going to a plinking load. And I'm not one of those guys that thinks recoil is fun.
Click to expand...

I didnt know they were "tame" myself, mind you I obviously haven't tried all the flavours of 45-70.

Out of curiosity, what are some of the heavier factory loaded ammo available? I'm actually having a hard time feeding the Leverevolution ammo out of the magazine and want to try some of the round or square nosed ammo, just haven't seen much around here.

BTW, that STEYR looks awesome! I need a pay raise.

The hornady page says 3032 ft/lbs of energy, compared to a 30-06 shooting 180 grain NAB's at about 2700 ft/lbs, I wouldn't call it tame in comparison to other factory ammo myself. Hornady's site claims 2050 fps at the muzzle, just going through iSnipe now, it seems to be fairly quick for the weight in comparison to other factory ammo.

Are you reffering to reloads or some other factory ammo?
 
Last edited:
The 45-70 is a great caliber but reloading for both,( got 4 differents 45-70, all levers ) the 450 Marlin can be reloaded much hotter, Steyr did convert a proven very strong proven desing to a round that was belted ( that is permitting the use of a bolt action)...
Only in rifle like a Ruger # 1 does a 45-70 can be pushed just south of a reloaded Marlin 450...
At one point in load devellopment true my Steyr, i was pushing 400 gr Swift a Frame 400 gr @ just south of 2200 fps out of the Steyr with no pressure signs but a hefty recoil...
If the 450 Marlin is not made much in rifles nowadays, it is because they realised they had unleashed a to powerfull round for today rifle configuration but it is one of the greatest round i have in my herd...
Just a real thumper, i am pretty sure it would be very adequate for African hunting... JP.
 
With bullets from jethunter ( thank you) and hodgesons website I've carefully worked my hand loads up to just over 2100 fps on my chrony with gas checked 405s but found the best accuracy in my rifle with those at 2075 fps. I've also worked loads down to 525 fps with his 267 gr bullets for small game. My rifle is a 1895 gs.
 
Always thought about a .45/70 lever gun... I started with a Ruger No.1 in .45/70, but let it go to a "crazy good" offer at the range... I currently have two H&R single .45/70's... An Ultra Thumbhole and a Buffalo Classic (cut back to 26")... These can handle loads just shy of the loads that I shot in my No.1 (the hinge pin is the weak link)... The beauty of the '70 is the wide range of loads that it will take... "Mild to wild"... Choose your recoil...
 
I've had several different 45-70's and currently own two. I am perfectly happy with a 400 grain bullet travelling at around 1,350 fps and a 500 grain bullet at just shy of 1,300 fps. The following is a list of 45-70's I've owned and all were great ...

Marlin 1895SS (my very first 45-70)
Browning 1886 SRC (Miroku built. I don't ever plan to part with this cream-of-the-crop 45-70)
Winchester 86 Extra Light (Miroku built)
Winchester 1886 Extra Light takedown (an original semi-deluxe)
Winchester 1886 full octagon with half mag (an original)
Winchester 1886 full octagon with full mag (an original, which I still have ... in fact I'm taking it to the range today)

All are super rifles. Only the more recent Browning/Winchester/Miroku made rifles can handle the really stiff loads. Off the record, a fellow in the Browning design department told me that the Browning 45-70's can handle loads that are so stiff I do not want to post that info on a public forum but I will say they are a good deal stiffer than anything I'd dare fire in a 450 Marlin. I still have my Browning 1886 SRC and that little carbine with its steel buttplate can make a fellow let out the occasional involuntary yell at the range once you get a 400 grain bullet travelling at over 2,000 fps. I don't even want to think about loading it up to max.

One 45-70 that has been beckoning to me for several years is a deluxe grade Shilo Sharps single shot. Sometimes I go to their website just to drool.
 
Last edited:
The 45-70 hot loaded will still be short of a 450 Marlin hot loaded, the belted case permit that, the trade of is you get less reloads of a 450 case, can you push a 400 gr @ 2200 fps out of 45-70 rifle, you can out of the Steyr 450 Marlin... JP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom