- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
I shot my 6x7 Bull Elk with my No.1 45-70 using a 300gr X which impacted at about 2350 fps. One shot kill, it dropped like 2 tons of bricks fell on it.
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Hunting Grizzly with the 45-70
- Thread starter Weatherby2
- Start date
I shot my 6x7 Bull Elk with my No.1 45-70 using a 300gr X which impacted at about 2350 fps. One shot kill, it dropped like 2 tons of bricks fell on it.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
No, #30615 which has a higher ballistic coefficient. The earlier version 300gr X bullet has an even higher ballistic coefficient of 0.34. My No.1 has a lengthened throat like the earlier ones. More case capacity that way for increased bullet speed.
And thats exactly why I don't like the big slow bullets that much. If you hit the CNS, then great, but if you don't (and its not a big target that is easily identified/pinpointed) the wounding caused by a hard cast bullet going at 1600fps is not sufficient in my mind. Sure, it'll still kill the bear, but I don't want anything that can eat me going 200 yards after getting shot (I'd rather not have to track any game any distance, but you take what you can get...)
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
The Real Guns data lists 2376 fps MV for a 300gr NP using Reloder10X. Should be about the same for a 300gr #30630 TSX bullet suited for the 1895. That's no slouch and gives the shooter a bit more range compared to a Hornady 500gr RN at about 1600 fps MV.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Agreed. I can load that bullet at 2400 fps MV in my No.1.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
I think Weatherby got it right from what I've seen as long as the bullets don't disintegrate on impact. High speed impact coupled with wide bullet diameter creates the shock needed to drop game in its tracks. Reliable one shot kills using my high speed 40+ calibers on heavy game.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
3500 Ft Lbs isn't my idea of a fair amount of snort (and keep in mind, I love the 45-70). I prefer my dangerous rifles up around 5000. Again, it will do it, but it's not a great choice. But back to bears...
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
At 150 yds, it has about the same amount of "snort" as a 30-06 with 180's.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Some discrepancies in the Real Guns data. Lists 1940 fps for the 400gr Speer FN with 44.5 grs of RE7. Not according to Speer Reloading Manual No.12 which lists about 1650 fps. Bogus! Inflated by about 300 fps!
Also the RG data indicates the 350gr Speer Hot-Cor FN can be loaded in the Marlin, but the Speer Manual states and I know it can't be seated to function properly through lever action rifles.
Also stated in the Speer manual - "with these loads the (lever-action) 45-70 is powerful enough for any NA game except the large bears..." That settles it.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Some numbers for comparison. Say the big Grizzly is stalked at 50 yards range. Note the Killing Power Score (energy x sectional density x bullet cross-sectional area) at that range.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_killing_power_list.htm
Seems the 500gr has the advantage?
30-06 180gr
45-70 500gr
45-70 400gr Swift FN/AF
45-70 300gr TSX FN
I feel like the killing power score is a really bad scale. Interesting to look at, but that's about it. Its too biased towards heavy bullets. A 150gr 30-06 only has a score of like 37, and I don't think you'll find many sane people who think the 45-70 is 4 times the gun.
Specifically talking 50 yards though..... debatable for sure. I think this chart is a bit less biased then strictly using ballistics charts that only really consider velocity for a measure of a cartridges capability
And stronger.
