Hunting Grizzly with the 45-70

Most of my .45/70 shooting is done with either 405 grain Hard Cast for bear or 350 grain Jacketed FP's for deer;

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Other non-expanding bullets maybe possible for a lever 45-70 -

The 400gr Barnes Buster is made for lever 45-70's except it's described as an FMJ so it's against regulations -

"The bullet features a thick copper jacket and a heavy lead core, resulting in deep penetration and maximum weight retention."
http://www.barnesbullets.com/bullets/buster/

However, the Barnes banded solids are solid machined brass except FN 458's are no longer listed -
http://www.barnesbullets.com/bullets/banded-solids/
 
Slamfire said:
Very cool! I would imagine the hard cast bullets would typically shoot clear through game without much or any bullet deformation. Any images of recovered bullets from game?
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I've yet to recover one... they all returned back to Mother Earth.
 
Recommended to make darn sure your Marlin will fire several of these in quick succession with ultra consistent good accuracy. No fouling your bore with lead because fliers and key-holers will result, and that the hardness is right so these won't deform or shatter!
 
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577-450 said:
Here is another pic 405 woodliegh
I shot these out of my 45-70 1885 Miruko Winchester high wall. They were traveling @ 2100 fps 4-1 gallon water jugs 5-2X6 s so 10" of wood and a 1 gallon water jug filed with sand @20 yards load 56gr H-4895 min load
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Looks like pretty good performance to me.
 
long range shooter said:
My choice would not be a 45-70.

The gun you should use should be the one you shoot most accurately and are comfortable with. Any gun equal to or larger than a 30-06 with a bullet which will stay together (i.e. mono metal) is a good choice. I personally like the 300 win mag with a 175 Barnes bullet. I shot a 800 lb plus coastal grizzly at 250 yards with a 175 gr Barnes with one shot right through the heart. He walked 6 steps and fell over. Shot placement is always the most important in hunting.

Unfortunately people think bigger is better and they cannot manage the recoil and end up making a bad shot.

Many northern guides carry a large bore for self defense in the bush (the hunter is doing the hunting, the guide has his gun for back up and protection). The majority of guides I have seen carry a 375 H&H or a 416 or even a 12 gauge with slugs/000.
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What?

No guides were carrying the "New King" of the medium bores???????????

:)
 
Only experience so far with Woodleigh bullets is their high sectional density 35 caliber 310gr RN in my 358 Winchester on Moose, ~1800 fps impact speed. Good performance. Large wound volume and shot clear through so no recovered bullet.

Looks like their 405gr 45-70 bullet would likely over-expand at higher impact speeds which would limit penetration.
 
I ask this to those here who have hunted the big bears.

If the 45/70 is a poor choice compared to a 30-06, what caused it's return to popularity in the marlin guide gun? Is it simply marketing?
 
Slamfire said:
Only experience so far with Woodleigh bullets is their high sectional density 35 caliber 310gr RN in my 358 Winchester on Moose, ~1800 fps impact speed. Good performance. Large wound volume and shot clear through so no recovered bullet.

Looks like their 405gr 45-70 bullet would likely over-expand at higher impact speeds which would limit penetration.
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I picked up three boxes of Woodleigh 310gr bullets, just to try out in a pair of rifles I have in 358NM. As for the 45-70, for it and for use in a 458WM, I have decent selection of cast and jacketed in a variety of weights. However, at a recent gun show, I couldn't resist picking up three small coffee cans of 405gr Remington bullets. The 'deal' was too good to pass up. I plan on using them in my Marlin GBL and here on the 'Island', they should be more than adequate for Black Bear and the ;) resident 'monster' Blacktail Deer :) .
 
It has gained a generally good reputation based on field results. Most here haven't said it's a poor choice. My experiences with it have shown that properly loaded and used within its effective range the Marlin 45-70 is a reliable heavy game rifle. Shot ungulates don't go very far, if at all. If these do bolt after being shot there's usually a good blood trail.

Viewed favorably because of its perceived brush-bucking capabilities and impressive wallop at woods ranges in a compact fast handling package.
 
Johnn Peterson said:
I picked up three boxes of Woodleigh 310gr bullets, just to try out in a pair of rifles I have in 358NM. As for the 45-70, for it and for use in a 458WM, I have decent selection of cast and jacketed in a variety of weights. However, at a recent gun show, I couldn't resist picking up three small coffee cans of 405gr Remington bullets. The 'deal' was too good to pass up. I plan on using them in my Marlin GBL and here on the 'Island', they should be more than adequate for Black Bear and the ;) resident 'monster' Blacktail Deer :) .
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I like the Remington 405gr bullet. At one time these bullets were readily available but no more. These were cheap enough for plinking and are ok for hunting if impact speeds are not too high.
 
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Slamfire said:
I like the Remington 405gr bullet. At one time these bullets were readily available but no more. These were cheap enough for plinking and are ok for hunting if impact speeds are not too high.
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I gave my Marlin 1895GS to my Son in the B.C. central interior ;) who couldn't live without it. Besides, with the upgraded loads the Marlins are capable of handling, I was never too fond of the straight stock design. That was why I replaced it with the GBL. I prefer the pistol grip design as its a little easier on the fingers, plus, I also like the fact it's also a little shorter. What I have available or set aside for the 45-70 are, for;
Jacketed;
- Remington 300gr SJHP
- Hornady 325gr FTX
- Hornady 350gr Interlock
- Speer 400gr FN
- Remington 405gr FN
Cast;
- 325gr RFN GC
- 405gr LFN BB
- 420gr LFN GC
There's a few additional I have available, in both cast and jacketed, but with the heavier weight they're better suited for the 458WM. I get all my cast supplies for the calibres I use cast in, from a CGN member locally.
 
Slamfire said:
I should try these for plinking in my 45's, about 50 cents per bullet -

https://www.westernmetal.ca/shooting/4570-calibre-lead-bullet-405-grain-western-munitions-bag-250-bl-4570-405-250
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Two things I don't care for on that bullet are the strongly beveled backside and the fact that it is 0.457"... I have always gotten best results with cast, shooting bullets 1 or 2 thou over bore diameter... most of my 45/70 cast are 0.459" and my 350"s are 0.460". They claim "no leading," but I would like to see that in real world results... maybe yours?
 
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