Big Bore

[prosper]

the 45-70 is not legal for bison in bc. (2000 foot pounds required at 100 metres).

What? Who makes up those stupid rules? Or haven't they heard about the 10 million plus buffalo that fell to the standard black powder 45-70 (and similar BP artridges. I'd be surprised if ANY of the common buffalo cartridges made 2000ft.lbs at 100) a hundred years ago?

Anyway, I agree that you'll need to handload to extract the full manliness out of the 45-70, and it's super easy to make the '2000ft.lbs at 100 yards' minimum. If you're not a handloader, slap yourself. Then go buy a 450 marlin.

 

[MiG25]

What? Who makes up those stupid rules? Or haven't they heard about the 10 million plus buffalo that fell to the standard black powder 45-70 (and similar BP artridges. I'd be surprised if ANY of the common buffalo cartridges made 2000ft.lbs at 100) a hundred years ago?

it's the guberment, what do you expect? the full rule actually requires a minimum 175 grain bullet with that energy requirement.

i think it is a good idea to have some sort of a caliber/bullet weight restriction for bison (remember that in bc, for all other big game ANY centrefire is legal), but a rule excluding the old timey 45-70 from bison hunting is quite silly. i can't imagine a black powder cartridge producing 2000 ft pounds at 100m.

 

[Gatehouse]

What? Who makes up those stupid rules? Or haven't they heard about the 10 million plus buffalo that fell to the standard black powder 45-70 (and similar BP artridges. I'd be surprised if ANY of the common buffalo cartridges made 2000ft.lbs at 100) a hundred years ago?

.

7Rm with 175gr Varmit Bullet= OK
7RM with 160gr TSX or Partition= NO!!!

 

[MTM]

Before jumping into the big bore market it may be wise to consider what you currently shoot and how you handle recoil. If you think 300 Mags kick forget anything over 375 till you've mastered something with some recoil. If you don't handload, big, big ammo can be very costly and you're limited to full power stuff. Haveing said that, big big guns are totally cool. You can't help but get a silly grin on your face as you stuff the magazine with big big rounds.

 

['Boo]

the 45-70 is not legal for bison in bc. (2000 foot pounds required at 100 metres).

A 350 grain Hornady RN @ 2100 fps - easy to attain in a Marlin lever action - gives 2200 ft/lbs @ 100 m which is well above the minimum requirements.

 

['Boo]

7Rm with 175gr Varmit Bullet= OK
7RM with 160gr TSX or Partition= NO!!!

That's because X-bullets suck!



................... the line has to be drawn somewhere and the 175 grain / 2000 ft/lb requirement is pretty good for a regulation coming out of Victoria.

 

['Boo]

Oh ................ and back to the original question.

caster456, there is a very nice Browning 1885 in the exchange forum right now in 45-70. A classic cartridge in a classic action.

 

[Boomer]

Before jumping into the big bore market it may be wise to consider what you currently shoot and how you handle recoil. If you think 300 Mags kick forget anything over 375 till you've mastered something with some recoil. If you don't handload, big, big ammo can be very costly and you're limited to full power stuff. Haveing said that, big big guns are totally cool. You can't help but get a silly grin on your face as you stuff the magazine with big big rounds.

This is good advice. But another option is to get the big bore, and once you get it make sure it fits you well. Stock fit becomes more critical as power increases.

Begin by handloading light to moderate loads which come close to duplicating the recoil level you are used to working with. Chances are you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the big bore seems less violent in recoil than a small bore which produces similar recoil energy.

Work your way up to maximum loads as your ability and tolerance for recoil dictates. Start by shooting off hand only. Once you have reached the point of being tolerant to the recoil of full powered loads, don't over do it by attempting to shoot long strings.

Once you have become comfortable shooting off hand then begin position shooting. It is my opinion that a rifle I cannot shoot from any field position is pretty much useless to me.

 

[Win94]

What? Who makes up those stupid rules? Or haven't they heard about the 10 million plus buffalo that fell to the standard black powder 45-70 (and similar BP artridges. I'd be surprised if ANY of the common buffalo cartridges made 2000ft.lbs at 100) a hundred years ago?

.............100 years ago there was no rules. Thats why there is no buffalo.

 

[caster456]

What? Who makes up those stupid rules? Or haven't they heard about the 10 million plus buffalo that fell to the standard black powder 45-70 (and similar BP artridges. I'd be surprised if ANY of the common buffalo cartridges made 2000ft.lbs at 100) a hundred years ago?

Anyway, I agree that you'll need to handload to extract the full manliness out of the 45-70, and it's super easy to make the '2000ft.lbs at 100 yards' minimum. If you're not a handloader, slap yourself. Then go buy a 450 marlin.

yes i do hand load all my rounds.

 

[X-fan]

I agree with the others about the 375.
Good stuff!
The best choice for a newbie big bore shooter.

If you have a magnum Remington action I have a stainless 416 Rem (Shilen)barrel that shoots just under MOA.
It is a fairly light contour so recoil is well.....Brisk!

Yours for the asking.