45-70 factory loads
- Thread starter jdemora
- Start date
The factory loads are loaded light due to the old guns in existence chambered for the 45/70. The 300 gr. H.P. or evolution(same thing) may be o.k. for deer, and the 405gr. Rem. okay for close range deer, bear and moose. Muzzle vel. of 1300 fps. of the latter gives a very looping traj.....I heavy load the MT Chambers 480gr. WFN GC hard cast to 1800fps, which puts the 45/70 into a completely different catagory.
factory ammo
I have cronied the 405gr and 300gr factory. 405gr 1100 fps and the 300gr 1500 fps. out of a 18.5" guide gun. neither should be used on any living game. myself and hunting partner have test on deer out to 120 yards. the 300gr will do it but penitration is terrible and the 405gr you get a loud smack and a stumble then they carry on with there day. You should handload if planning on hunting with the 45-70. I used 350gr hornady round nose loaded to 1880fps and they worked great.
I have cronied the 405gr and 300gr factory. 405gr 1100 fps and the 300gr 1500 fps. out of a 18.5" guide gun. neither should be used on any living game. myself and hunting partner have test on deer out to 120 yards. the 300gr will do it but penitration is terrible and the 405gr you get a loud smack and a stumble then they carry on with there day. You should handload if planning on hunting with the 45-70. I used 350gr hornady round nose loaded to 1880fps and they worked great.
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
bigbear
Those slow loads with heavy bullets were used to kill buffalo there bigbear,it's obvious from your post that you have very little experience with the 45-70.
Those slow loads with heavy bullets were used to kill buffalo there bigbear,it's obvious from your post that you have very little experience with the 45-70.
jdemora,jdemora said:
I've taken Black Bears with both the 300 Grain hollowpoints from Winchester and the 405's from Remington.
One bear I shot with the 300 was at nearly 200 meters frontal shot...the bullet dropped down through the base of it's neck and traveled over 12" through the spine before busting several ribs and exiting......the bear's chin hit the dirt right there.
Use any of the "Factory" loads try them all and use whatever shoots best..........Plenty of Kill power, just keep in mind the "rainbow trajectory" and keep shots reasonable.
The 325 Grain Leverevolutions do look promising though and are certainly a step up over other loads as they are claiming 2050 ps at the Muzzle...Plenty of Poop there !
Obviously with Handloads one can kick the cartridge up a notch or two, but unless yoiu are hunting rhinos it's hardly necessary.
Good Day & have Fun
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great info thanks gentlmen. I would love to start getting into handloading to reach the max potential of this caliber but do not have the time or the equipment. I will try all of the factory loads and see what works just wondered of any real world experience. It is one thing to punch paper but another to experience the effects of penetration on game.
thanks
thanks
- Location
- AB foothills
Bigbear said:
Just dont listen to this cat jdemora, especially this comment
Factory loads are deffinately tame but there is not many animals around these parts that could withstand a good, properly placed hit from a factory loaded 45/70. Allot of people preffer stiff hand loaded killers, but they are not for everyone.
Practice makes perfect. Learn your rifle up and down, shoot the factory load you prefer and have fun, thats what it is all about.
