.45-70 vs. deer?

The Baron

The Baron

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I'd like to hear some first-hand reports from anyone who has shot deer with a .45-70. I am getting back into deer hunting and think a nice little Marlin would fit the bill for the bush we hunt. I know the 45-70 is plenty for deer, but I am curious of resulkts with specifics about ammunition, range, shot angle, shot placement and results. Thanks!
 
I used my H&R 45-70 on a couple of deer. It works. My load was 67 gr of Ffg under a 387 gr cast lead bullet.
 
Deer #1: Hornady 350 JSP loaded to 1800 fps. Range about 20 yards. 320 pound buck running across river below me. Bullet went in high on my side, angled down through lung, exited other side and punched a 6" hole in the river ice. Buck went down instantly, lung turned to mush. Rifle was a Browning 1886 SRC, 45/70.

Deer #2 and #3: 420 grain cast bullet at 1,350 fps. Range 185 yards for both of them. Heart shot one ran about 50 yards, then dropped. The other one was shot through shoulders and dropped right there. Both bullets exited. Both of them does around 200 pounds. Rifle was a Winchester/Miroku 1886 extra light 45/70.
 
I did a search before I started this thread, and it wouldn't locate "45-70" for me. Can you direct me to the other thread? I have scrolled through several pages of posts and can't find it. Do you know what the thread was titled so I can search it? I do want to check it out. Thanks!
 
I started a similar thread about a month ago on the 38/55. Don't know if that's the one Huntinstuff is thinking of or not. I don't recall a 45/70-deer thread, but I could have easily missed it if it had a different title.
 
sorry guys...its was "44-40 for deer".......and the results were very positive for it. So Id imagine the 45-70 would even be more accepted. it is currently on page 3.

Your 45-70 would do a great job on deer by the way
 
I used a .45-70 Handi rifle for several years with factory 300g HP's, and 405g fllat nose bullets. The 300 HP's where a little destructive for my taste, but the 405g bullets worked great. It took many whitetails most from 20 to 150 yards. One buck we thought my wife had wounded stood broadside at 330 yards fell to a 405g bullet to the spine. It dropped more deer on the spot than any rifle I have used, and didn't destroy meat like many do. Arthritis in my shoulder is the only reason I no longer have it.
 
I've only shot one deer with my 1885 in 45-70. I can't remember the powder sharge right now but I was shooting Lyman 457193 bullets that weigh 418 out of my mould. The load gives a velocity of 1950. Stout recoil but all in all i tworks well. The rifle is one of my favourites for close range deer hunting.
 
I've used the 45-70 on deer, with the pathetic factory loads, and with some very hot handloads, both were quite effective, and, a deer well hit with the 45-70 will not go far. Frequently, they go straight down.
Nice blood trail when they do move a bit, but I've never had a deer fall outside of my sight, when hit with the 45-70.
 
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