45-70 elk/moose gun

[scott_r]

Im looking at possibly buying a new 45-70 for northern bush gun for elk/bear/moose and am wondering whats the max effective range and what bullets would be good for elk? I reload for all my rifles.

Cheers!!

 

[sookie_69]

I know I'm gonna get flamed for it.....325g ftx from hornady in a guide gun. I get sub moa out of all 3 of mine with it. I'd have no problem shooting out to 300 yards with that. I've got some 405g I need to load up and try also.

 

[heronfish]

I know I'm gonna get flamed for it.....325g ftx from hornady in a guide gun. I get sub moa out of all 3 of mine with it. I'd have no problem shooting out to 300 yards with that. I've got some 405g I need to load up and try also.

I don't see why anyone would be upset with that statement.
You obviously spend range time and know the guns range and limitations. That's what all of us should do.

 

[sookie_69]

^ lots of people don't like the ftx bullets. Jackets have been known to come apart. But I don't shoot shoulders so haven't had a problem.

 

[droid1963]

I know I'm gonna get flamed for it.....325g ftx from hornady in a guide gun. I get sub moa out of all 3 of mine with it. I'd have no problem shooting out to 300 yards with that. I've got some 405g I need to load up and try also.

Sounds reasonable. The 405g will shoot a little less flat.

 

[Slamfire]

Assumed it's a lever 45-70. Lots of good bullets available. Ballistics shown for the 325gr FTX which can be loaded to 2000 fps in an 18-1/2" barrel Marlin 1895 (mines a GBL). Hitting the kill zone at longer ranges is problematic without a ballistic reticle because of the arc trajectory. And at 300 yards bullet energy is down to 1058 ft-lbs.

I have a Nikon Omega 3-9x40mm that has the BDC 250 reticle and have calibrated it using the Nikon Spot On app (325gr FTX at 2000 fps MV shown). It works.

http://spoton.nikonsportoptics.com/spoton/spoton.html#Index:22

45-70 Marlin 1895 GBL with Nikon Omega BDC 250 3-9x40mm

 

[sookie_69]

Vitals on a moose or elk shouldn't be too hard to hit. A 27 inch drop at 300 would put your point of aim just over his back with a 100 zero. A little harder to judge on a deer though.

 

[Slamfire]

With a 100 yard zero, the 325gr FTX bullet impact is -39" at 300 yards. Backbone to brisket on a big Moose is 30 to 36". Should be a lot more than a few inches of holdover using a non-ballistic reticle to hit center mass, no?

 

[keith mokry]

I use 4570 a lot for moose in the bush in a marlin or a double baikal with 405g Remington's and one 4198 and have not felt
Handicapped as of yet most of time shots are hundred yards or little better but am comfortable out to 200/250y max

 

[hometownhero]

I would cast and use these 530gr from noe

Or for lighter 425gr (also available in hp)

 

[scott_r]

Thanks for info boys!! Appreciate the help

 

[Papaclaude]

I will concur that in my Guide Gun, the 325's LeverEvolutions are MOA or better. I have not yet found a handload that even approaches that, although they are all minute of deer. With the 325's, I've gotten several 3" or slightly better groups. And that's with open sights and eyes that are almost 60 years old. As far as performance goes, I have shot 2 wild boars with it, and both were bang flops. One was a head shot.

 

[AntekPL]

No flaming here Sookie. I get the same results out of my Baikal MP-221 side by side. With you on this one!

I know I'm gonna get flamed for it.....325g ftx from hornady in a guide gun. I get sub moa out of all 3 of mine with it. I'd have no problem shooting out to 300 yards with that. I've got some 405g I need to load up and try also.

 

[Slamfire]

Haven't tried the 325gr FTX on game yet, on my to do list.

Prefer to load 400 or 405gr bullets for hunting with my Marlin.

 

[Price449]

Hard to say what's ethical in regards to shot distance as BUSH can vary depending on area. I would say 100 yard shot in the thick bush would be tuff to find but hey!

I shoot my Rossi lever with 325 g factory loads out to 200 but that'd b my max comfort zone

 

[Slamfire]

Shots across clearings and along cutlines in the bush?

 

[sookie_69]

Only thing I have been wondering is what are the biggest bullets you can load for a lever? I was told once that the oal on the 500g were too big for the lever actions.

 

[Slamfire]

Can be done. I've loaded the 500gr Hornady at 1625 fps in an XLR, and 1525 fps in a Guide. I use a Lee Factory Crimp die to hold the bullet in place. Not sure how well the 1:20 twist will stabilize these at longer ranges. Accuracy is ok at 100 meters.

 

[kman300]

I use the 325gr ftx in my muzzleloader at ~2400fps and they do come unglued, even on deer. I use my self cast and powder coated 405gr cast in my 1895 at ~1700fps and use the rifle and bullet within its limitations. Lots of other cartridges can shoot flatter with more oomph and the rifles don't have to be much bigger either.

 

[sookie_69]

Haven't tried the 325gr FTX on game yet, on my to do list.

Prefer to load 400 or 405gr bullets for hunting with my Marlin.

First deer I ever shot was with my 45/70 xlr and 325ftx. Open sites at 100 yards. Went up on two legs and fell over backwards, straight through double lung. In the snow it looked like an episode of csi.......