close range big bore

big bore under 100-150 yard shots

  • 45-70 Gov

    Votes: 90 76.3%

  • 375 Ruger

    Votes: 28 23.7%
  • Total voters
    118
aaronfisher

aaronfisher

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so death-junky and i are "discusing" 375 Ruger Vs. 45-70 Gov for under 100-150 yard shots so i will have a poll and be open to imput on the matter i would like to hear advanages and disavanatges for both
 
I have both and prefer the 45-70 in a guide gun for close shots at big stuff. This is due to the package it comes in, a short lever gun vs a bolt action for the 375.

That being said the guide gun is a special tool, and limits range should you need to stretch the range out for whatever reason.
The 375 has far more power, and a more practical range capability.
 
I am going to dispute the theory that the .375 has"way more power" then the .45/70.... the 45/70 with a 420-500gr. at speeds up to 2000fps in a WFN style bullet trumps anything from the .375 at "CLOSE RANGE". In his writings on the subject,"B. Mitchell" gives the 45/70 a TKO value of from 55 to 66, and the .375...41. When loaded in comparable rifles such as the Ruger #1, the 45/70 outdistances the .375 further.
 
ben hunchak said:
I am going to dispute the theory that the .375 has"way more power" then the .45/70.... the 45/70 with a 420-500gr. at speeds up to 2000fps in a WFN style bullet trumps anything from the .375 at "CLOSE RANGE". In his writings on the subject,"B. Mitchell" gives the 45/70 a TKO value of from 55 to 66, and the .375...41. When loaded in comparable rifles such as the Ruger #1, the 45/70 outdistances the .375 further.
Click to expand...

Should have been more specific, the 375 Ruger does have waaay more jam than the 45/70 with the factory 325 grain Hornady load.
 
I bought a 45/70 and Aaron wants a 375 ruger for almost the same reason as I want a 45/70! Just a good ol' close range thumper.
Reason why I opted for the 45/70:
1) cheaper ammo both reloading and factory.
2) Hits like the hammer of Thor at close range
3) Ammo ranges from 250 grain up to and over 500 grains.
4) Rifle its self cheaper to buy. Try finding a 375 ruger for 500$.
5) Faster action ie: lever over bolt.
 
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The 45-70 by far for what your saying. The .375 is a fine large diameter, long range calibre. The 45-70 was too in it's day, and they are both wonderful up close, but if your going to ask which of the two is best in this loaded question, my vote goes to the 45-70.
 
Gibbs505 said:
Neither. A 416 would be better then both of those. Heck there are any number of better choices then either in your poll!
Click to expand...

Of course it would, but look at what we're dealing with here...death_junky and a guy who'd debate guns with death_junky. I mean, look at their definition of "close range"...100-150 yards? Maybe in ATRS' world, but not many others!

A 45-70 lever gun, especially the Guide Gun, is meant to be carried in the thick stuff when there's a potential of having to slap something big up close. That also, generally, means iron sights. I love the 45-70 and have used it on game at a hair over 100 yards but 150 is stretching it with irons. On the other hand, the 375 Ruger (or H&H) is generally used in more open country and thus will wear an optical sight as well. It also has a flat enough trajectory and enough power to be perfectly capable of a 300 yard shot, should you desire to take one. There is great debate about the use of scoped rifles for hunting elephant due to the blind spot you experience to your starboard bow (presuming you're a rightie). If you subscribe to that notion, then a scoped bolt gun is a poor choice for close range encounters. Add in the fact that a scope makes for more awkward one-handed carry (unless you're a guy that uses his scope as a carry handle - a whole other kettle of fish) then you're much better set up for "close range" with a slick-top 45-70 lever. But if you're a "100 - 150 yards is a close shot" kind of guy then you'd be a fool to choose the open sighted lever and push the envelope with it. And if you scope it so that you can make those 150 yard shots with ease, you've just ruined it as a "short range" rifle.

So, define the range you want to use the rifle at, minimum and maximum (using real numbers, not an abstract quantification of "long" or "short"), then you choose the rifle, cartridge and bullet
 
Way too rational BUM. MODS give him an infraction for making too much sense ;)

So, define the range you want to use the rifle at, minimum and maximum (using real numbers, not an abstract quantification of "long" or "short"), then you choose the rifle, cartridge and bullet
Click to expand...
 
I have used both with hand loads and I would and will take the 375(H&H) over the 45/70 for up close smack down. Just from my experience.
And for a close range big bore I will use my 510 Wells.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Of course it would, but look at what we're dealing with here...death_junky and a guy who'd debate guns with death_junky. I mean, look at their definition of "close range"...100-150 yards? Maybe in ATRS' world, but not many others!

A 45-70 lever gun, especially the Guide Gun, is meant to be carried in the thick stuff when there's a potential of having to slap something big up close. That also, generally, means iron sights. I love the 45-70 and have used it on game at a hair over 100 yards but 150 is stretching it with irons. On the other hand, the 375 Ruger (or H&H) is generally used in more open country and thus will wear an optical sight as well. It also has a flat enough trajectory and enough power to be perfectly capable of a 300 yard shot, should you desire to take one. There is great debate about the use of scoped rifles for hunting elephant due to the blind spot you experience to your starboard bow (presuming you're a rightie). If you subscribe to that notion, then a scoped bolt gun is a poor choice for close range encounters. Add in the fact that a scope makes for more awkward one-handed carry (unless you're a guy that uses his scope as a carry handle - a whole other kettle of fish) then you're much better set up for "close range" with a slick-top 45-70 lever. But if you're a "100 - 150 yards is a close shot" kind of guy then you'd be a fool to choose the open sighted lever and push the envelope with it. And if you scope it so that you can make those 150 yard shots with ease, you've just ruined it as a "short range" rifle.

So, define the range you want to use the rifle at, minimum and maximum (using real numbers, not an abstract quantification of "long" or "short"), then you choose the rifle, cartridge and bullet
Click to expand...

^^^^ LOL^^^^
300-500+ yards is long range.... I've shot animals at 200+ yards with open sight rifles no problem...
If you can not ethicaly kill an animal with open sights at 150 yards (with out an eye problem) you should not be hunting!
Anyways don't really like the attack.....
 
Ill vote 45-70 for the heavier / wider bullets for short distance work.....plus Im waiting for my 45-70 bolt gun to arrive so Im partial.

Either will make for an Ethical Moose Gun :)
 
Actually, if you compare the 375's 2600fps m/v with a 300gr lead to a 450marlin(the "thinking mans 45/70";)(couldn't resist, I'm on my 3rd rye, quit smoking 4 days ago, it's blizzarding, and I know 45/70 fans are rabid about their favorite gun)
Anyway the 450 or 45/70 will push a 400gr lead at over 2000fps, well over if you like blr's.
Bottom line, the 45/70 has more than twice the impact energy out to 200yds and will leave a much, much bigger hole if you want it to.(lead selection and milk jug trials)

It's the old, do you want to hit it with a small fast rock, or knock it into next week slowly?

For the record to compare, I Can hit my 2' by 2' 450 yd target with my 450 and 350gr hornady's, but only about 2 out of 5, and last time I tried I shot the logging chain off that was hanging the target. (I may be on my third drink, but a big hunk o' lead will cut a piece of loggin' chain in half from 450 yds, and that's pretty darn impressive)
But I digress.....seriously, under 150 yds with proper lead and load selection a .458 (happy 45/70 guys?) is very tough to beat.
Speaking personally, I wouldn't shoot an animal with my 450 over 150 yds, but mine is iron sights, I practice from 120yds and plan to shoot at under 100yds.
If I plan on shooting over that I take my 300wm.
 
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