Is a 12 in. barrel 45-70 any good
- Thread starter DNR
- Start date
I recently won an 1895 45/70 and it really packs a punch for me. Its fun to shoot although I dont find it terribly useful but most things I own are for sport shooting at the club. The chiappa would be the same thing to me but with way more recoil and a very hefty price tag. If thats your thing or you live in dangerous animal country it would be very useful. Last I checked there were a few in the EE. Don’t take my word for it though if it’s something you want go get one!
Any good? I guess you’d have to define good. Will it be accurate at 50-75 yards? Yes. Will you lose a lot of velocity because much of the powder will be burned up in a huge muzzle flash/fireball? Yes. Is it a convenient size to carry in a vehicle, or backpacking? Yes. Will it kick like a mule? Damn betcha. Will it stop pretty much anything you hit in those 50 yards? I would think so.
These are definitely a niche firearm. They can be a really cool range toy, or that one “no real purpose but too cool not to own” gun that often wind up in our safes. Or! They could be a really convenient, dedicated defence rifle for those few who backpack in areas where they may encounter dangerous game, and they want as much stopping power as they can get in a small package.
Personally, as I commented to a fellow CGNer a while back. Damn, they’re cool, but I don’t know if I’m man enough to shoot it.
These are definitely a niche firearm. They can be a really cool range toy, or that one “no real purpose but too cool not to own” gun that often wind up in our safes. Or! They could be a really convenient, dedicated defence rifle for those few who backpack in areas where they may encounter dangerous game, and they want as much stopping power as they can get in a small package.
Personally, as I commented to a fellow CGNer a while back. Damn, they’re cool, but I don’t know if I’m man enough to shoot it.
It’s perfect. 45-70 has a very limited range already, due to heavy bullets and slow velocities. A 12” barrel doesn’t handicap it’s performance like a 26” overbore magnum shortened to 16”. Expensive and very narrow use parameters though, like a 26” 45-70.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
So I really gotta shop for ammo where you do. Pre scamdemic, minimum here was $50-75/box. Saw some plain Jane at Canadian Tire for $92/box.
Somewhat Irrelevant as 45-70 is one of the calibers that most benefits from reloading. From a load of unique you could hand a 8yr old to stomper 500gr loads pushing the bottom of 458wm.
Even so, the Marlin guide, and other 45-70 are not dangerous game stopper rifles. IMO, they kill just fine, just don't stop them in their tracks. The 12ga, you mention would be better.
My 45-70 is a ported 1895g. Can't imagine, more don't want to know, how loud a short, short barreled 45-70 would be. Probably a fun range toy, but those nearby would hate you. Two foot fireballs at dusk for 1000 Alex.
Across, on the mainland is one of the most covered places in Kanada, for blackies and cats. I'm still not sure I'd pick my guide gun first. Actually should sell it. Dons flame suit.
It depends what the gun is for. For dangerous animals the 12 gauge cannot compete with the 45-70
And that there is a FACT ! RJ
Butcherbill
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Depends on what you consider any good as lol. It’s going to be loud as hell and have a huge fire ball, but it could be a lot of fun and maybe useful depending on the application.
I looked at those Chiappa take-down rifles a while back. I plugged numbers into quickload to see what velocity loss I might see in the short barrel.
Here are a handful of estimates I got with quickload. As you can see there's a drop in velocity and energy, but the loads out of the 12" barrel are still nothing to sneeze at. They far exceed .44 mag or .45 colt out of a 12" lever. If they'd been a bit lighter I would have gotten one, but at 7.5 lbs I'm not likely to ever carry it hiking so I didn't buy one.
400 grain jacketed:
24" 2,000 fps 3,553 fpe (hodgdon)
18.5" 1,922 fps 3,281 fpe
12" 1,758 fps 2,745 fpe
460 grain cast:
18.5" 1,734 fps 3,071 fpe
12" 1,566 fps 2,505 fpe
Here are a handful of estimates I got with quickload. As you can see there's a drop in velocity and energy, but the loads out of the 12" barrel are still nothing to sneeze at. They far exceed .44 mag or .45 colt out of a 12" lever. If they'd been a bit lighter I would have gotten one, but at 7.5 lbs I'm not likely to ever carry it hiking so I didn't buy one.
400 grain jacketed:
24" 2,000 fps 3,553 fpe (hodgdon)
18.5" 1,922 fps 3,281 fpe
12" 1,758 fps 2,745 fpe
460 grain cast:
18.5" 1,734 fps 3,071 fpe
12" 1,566 fps 2,505 fpe
luckythirteen
CGN Regular
- Location
- Yukon Territory
405 WFNGC handloads were getting 1550fps from the 12 inch barrel. Still room for more powder, these are comfortable to shoot. Hoping to play around this summer and see where it can go
I see a few comments stating "punishing" and harsh recoil.... I will admit, when shooting Remington Jims reloads, the 45-70 was punishing. 6 shots was enough that day...... When shooting factory 300 grain loads, it is not punishing at all. Yeah you know you pulled the trigger, but I have shot 30-06's with bad stock designs that "punished" way more.( Old Brno, pre 64 m70 for example).
I think some people are confusing muzzle blast with recoil. A 12 inch barrel 45-70 that weighs the same as a 16 inch barrel one, shouldn't recoil more. If anything, I would think less since the velocity is reduced.
My only concern with buying a chiappa 12 inch 45-70 would be that it is a chiappa.
I think some people are confusing muzzle blast with recoil. A 12 inch barrel 45-70 that weighs the same as a 16 inch barrel one, shouldn't recoil more. If anything, I would think less since the velocity is reduced.
My only concern with buying a chiappa 12 inch 45-70 would be that it is a chiappa.
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in my experience 12ga Foster slug isn't a great stopper, you need a 400-500gr sabot slug in the 1500 fps or higher range - in other words similar to a medium loaded 45-70. Regular 12 ga slugs don't penetrate worth a crap. The guide rifle itself is not a "stopper" but a 400gr 45 cal bullet out of a guide gun most certainly is a "stopper" for any of the game you mentioned, none of which are particularly dangerous, large, or mean.
If you shoot these expensive cartridges then it's silly not to reload. I loaded 40x 45-70 cartridges last week, total cost about $25 all in.
One of the fellows had his 45/70 revolver at the indoor range this spring, not real load like a 44 or 357M he said it is easier then his rifle.
I don't know what his loads where. I would say it was about 7 1/2- 8 in barrel, good cloud of smoke. He was shooting off hand.
- Location
- Central AB
I have a 12" chiappa 45-70. As has been mentioned above, the 45-70 doesn't loose velocity in shorter barrels nearly as bad as some higher pressure cartridges. The Chiappa is quite heavy, so recoil isn't terrible. I have a green dot on mine, so the short sight radius is negated.
It's an awesome gun just for the sheer ####s and giggles of the fireball..
It's an awesome gun just for the sheer ####s and giggles of the fireball..
