I would think that if you can consistently hold 1-1.5 MOA out to 500 yards with your rig, and the above conditions are met, that you could hunt large game out to 500 yards with a 45/70.
F### you ###hole
Had too much to drink??? Had a bad day and want to crap on a guy with a honest question?
Or lack the brains to read my original post?
Ever owned a 45 70?
Your rig
I have not bought yet. The intent of original post is to buy one
hunt large game out to 500 yards
Where did I say 500 yards? Have this much difficulty communicating at work and with you family and friends too???
I was merely initiating a discussion re:
1) single action 45 70's
2) ballistic advantages of hotter loads and typical longer barrels of the single action vs. a lever gun
3) the new .325 GR FTX pointed hornady bullets
I'm sorry, did I sound like I was trying to be an a**hole?
Yes I own a 45/70.
Yes I hunt with it.
Yes I handload for it.
Yes I can hold 1.5 MOA off a bench usually.
I was actually trying to support your idea of long range hunting with a 45/70, as I believe that if you're able to do it, why not... My great grandfather once shot two deer with a bolt action 22 LR at about 100 yards... both headshots... so ethics to me is about what you can do with what you have. Even with less trigger time lately than I would like, if I were shooting at a known distance with time to settle down and think I would be willing to push the limits of the usual 45/70 range.
The 400-500 yard thing came up in the thread, and that's usually what people mean when they talk about long range hunting. I didn't mean to impose that on you.
To address those particular points, I shoot a marlin 1895XLR with a Meopta 1.5-5x scope on it. It's exceptionally accurate for the caliber I think. I don't have enough time to really develop loads, but I've shot some really exceptional groups with even factory ammo. I will be honest although... heavy loads that are towards the "accepted" pressure limits of the Marlin action to tend to be a bit too hot for me. That being said, I've had at least a half dozen concussions in the past and severe recoil does seem to bother my head more than most making range time unplesasant. By severe, I mean bullets of 400gr+ at max loads.
If you're just asking what gun to buy, I would not be shy of buying a marlin, except for the fact that you can load a ruger or a browning hotter, and the extra barrel length might get you some velocity. Your desire to shoot a full house load 45/70 in a ruger I don't know... the trajectory of any 45/70 is going to be like a banana anyways so that extra 100 fps or whatever isn't going to matter. If you do buy a marlin, and you want a good trigger, I would suggest getting a wild west guns trigger, and having a good lever gun smith install it and slick it up.
As for the bullets, I took a deer last year at what I think was 150ish yards, with factory leverevolution ammo. It was on the run, and I took it through the neck, the bullet did massive damage, but I really think that any 45 cal slug would have done what it did given where I hit it. The trajectory difference of the Hornady bullets just isn't worth it IMO... I would rather shoot a true premium bullet because at range you'll need to know the exact drop at that range, and if you have to caluculate it anyways, why not use the best bullet you can... especially at range where you may not have as much energy left as you might want.
Again, I apologise, I sincerely was not trying to criticise.
