Recoil of a 45/70?

45-70 recoil

I own and shoot several 45-70 rifles - Sharps '74s, H&R Trapdoors, Rolling Blocks and a Browning '86.

Since I don't load to sub-.458 Magnum potential, recoil is more than manageable. I've taken 2 moose with smokelss BP-equivalent loads. The moose didn't know they hadn't been shot with real shoulder thumpers and obligingly fell in their tracks.

BP loads in any bullet weight are quite manageabble in anything but ultra-light rifles like the Ruger #3 Carbine. Even then, a good recoil absorber helps.

I do recall an incident where a guy with a Browning '86 Carbine put 5 rds of his 500 gr 45-70 BPCR Silhouette loads downrange. After the last shot, he lowered his head on the bench, prompting us to ask if he was OK.
He said "Yes; I'm just trying hard not to cry." And he was wearing a 'sissy pad' .....

Todd
 
Win 38-55 said:
I've owned the 45-70's listed below and haven't found any of them to be bad, shooting from a standing offhand position with standard loads. The only load that really didn't feel good was some 405 grain cast GC loads at 2,000 fps with a steel shotgun buttplate. The crescent butts are much better for spreading out the recoil. Here's the ones I've owned .... I've shot all of them a lot.

Marlin 1895
Browning 1886 SRC
Winchester/Miroku 1886 Extra Light
Winchester 1886 extra light takedown (1901)
Winchester 1886 rifle with 26" octagon barrel (1904)

Probably the heavier rifle with the octagon barrel kicks the least due to its weight. Personally, I see no need to push a 405 grain bullet any faster than 1,350 fps for North American game. At that standard load, recoil is hardly noticeable.
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Standing offhand or from a bench rest, the recoil results on the shoulder isn't that tough a discomfort to take. With the heavier bullet loads, at levels listed for the 1895 Marlin, the guide gun straight stock design and corresponding lever can be somewhat 'uncomfortable' on the shooting hand. I find it so anyway.
 
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Yes, leaning into the butt, sitting at a shooting bench, the shoulder doesn't have much give to it. That is when the steamier loads can be painful, especially in a t-shirt.
 
At factory load levels the kick is more than a 30-30 but not much. I have a middle of the road hand load with 350 gr bullets that I settled on for hunting and it kicks maybe like a 30-06 - but differently. You don't get that snap of a high velocity rifle its just a big ol push. Quite comfortable for me.

After that the sky's almost the limit. You start pushing 400 grain plus bullets to full potential and the gun starts to get your attention. This IMHO is not necessary though. Unless your on a purpose hunt for the largest bears or African ####.

Get the rifle. Everyone needs a 45-70 gubment.
 
Win 38-55 said:
Yes, leaning into the butt, sitting at a shooting bench, the shoulder doesn't have much give to it. That is when the steamier loads can be painful, especially in a t-shirt.
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My problem is the recoil results on the fingers of my shooting hand with the heavy loads. No 'unbearable' discomfort at the shoulder area.
 
I had my 45-70 cut down an inch or so, and threaded for a removable muzzle brake, then had a limbsaver pad installed on the rear end...with ear protection, you can shoot all day with out issue. I usually pump 405 factory ammo through it....just for practice.
 
Slowbalt said:
What could it be compared to ? 30-06? .300 win mag? over??
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Close to a 30/06 but not far off of a 300 win mag. But there are some many loads, bullets etc. In general there are three classes of 45/70 ammo. Trapdoor loads (Low), Marlin or Sharpes (Med) loads, and the Ruger No 1 Loads (Max). All factory ammo is loaded to Trapdoor specs as a safety precaution.

Go for it, great gun.

Pete
 
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Johnn Peterson said:
My problem is the recoil on the fingers of my shooting hand with the heavy loads.
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Johnn, how are you holding your rifle? I've never had anything remotely close to bothering the fingers of my shooting hand. Are you gripping it loosely? I can't see how a person could have the problem you are mentioning.
 
Win 38-55 said:
Johnn, how are you holding your rifle? I've never had anything remotely close to bothering the fingers of my shooting hand. Are you gripping it loosely? I can't see how a person could have the problem you are mentioning.
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Gripping it loosely? No. Shooting heavier loads in a couple of old 1886 Winchesters in .45-70, my Marlin model 444S, when I had it a Winchester model 71 in .348, a Marlin 1895MR in 450, a Marlin XLR in .45-70 and a couple of others I can't quite recall at the moment, all with a pistol grip style stock and curved lever, no problem.The only one I experience this 'discomfort' with is with my Marlin 1895GS, and as I've mentioned, only with the heavier or hotter loads. The lighter cast loads, again, no problem. The only primary difference that I can attribute this to is, in addition to being shorter is the, straight stock and lever design feature of my guide gun, again, making the effects recoil noticeable with the heavy loads.
 
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As stated by lots there is a vast range in recoil.Factory is no prob. and light target loads are fun. Heavy loads in light guns hurt. I shoot a ruger#3 and a 405gr at 1700 fps hurts. It is also very acc,at 100 M so a good hunting load. I think u will find the 45-70 will be one rifle u will fall for. (maybe 2 or 3 times) AJ
 
Johnn, I guess I'd have to see how your shooting hand is oriented. I know that some fellows don't put their fingers through the lever, but wrap them around the lever. I've not shot that way, but I can see how that would hurt. If, however, you got your fingers inside the lever, that should work well. My heaviest loads, as I mentioned earlier, were 405 grain bullets at 2,000 fps, and that was with a straight grip, but my fingers were fine. Normally, the shooting hand just moves as one with the gun when it recoils.
 
Slowbalt said:
Hey all,
I just handled a marlin XLR at a local store and really liked it, however I wonder how does that toy kicks? The seller told me that it did not kick all that hard, that anyone who can handle a 30-30 can handle this. He seemed to just be willing to make a quick sale and after seeing the rounds I can't believe this does not kick like a drunken mule! Let's hear you guys!
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if you are going to sight this baby in with different loads, I suspect if you are of medium build (6 ft @180 lbs) you will get to round #10 before you start to complain about the pain. Use a sissy pad
 
My 15 year old daughter, 97 lbs and 4'10" tall shoots my 45/70 and .450 marlins off the bench without any issues, and they don't even fit her properly.

Having said that, she's been shooting big rifles since she was 10 and isn't afraid of recoil.

The bottom line is that a 45/70 with factory loads will not hurt you. In fact most big-bores are more of a shotgun push than a magnum punch. And shooting freehand all you'll notice is muzzle jump.

Actually, big bore is really really addictive.
 
Appreciate your input to some questions......re: 1895G

1. Would an aftermarket item such as Limbsaver recoil pad (or maybe some other brand) perform better than stock and consequently assist to somewhat effectively reduce muzzle climb? The thought here is to stabilize the rifle as much as possible (apart from stance/grip etc) for snap shooting situations. Hornady LeveRevolution 325gr work quite well in my rifle out to 100 yds (tests still ongoing).

2. How would one "lock" the hammer spur in place.....use something like loctite? The spur becomes loose simply after a 4/5 rds. Although I'm using irons, however, prefer to use the spur for enhanced control/safety.

3. Anyone here tried the flip-up rear sight (Smith Entrp) from Brownells?.....I've a set of XS Ghost Ring but would also like to try that flip-up sight prior to going with the ghost rings......I do realize that sight is actually geared for long range shooting (hope it's graduated from 100yds onwards)....but also appears to be of better quality than the Marlin factory sights provided on the 1895 etc. Moreover, will the factory provided front sight need to be replaced as well (dont' think so) with that flip-up installed?

Thanks,
 
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1) Can't see a limbsaver pad reducing muzzle flip. If you want to acheive this somewhat buy the 1895 22" barrel or the XLR 24" barrel. The Guidegun's 18.5" barrel is gonna flip or rise on you. Thats life.

2) I use red loctite and a screw driver with the right allan key bit. The little allan key sent with the hammer spur doesn't allow one to torque it on very well.

3) not sure.
 
Wow! Ten pages and 96 threads, what else is left to say.
One thing nice about reloading for it is the fact I don't worry about getting too much pressure for the Marlin, I have to think about me!
And yes, it is a hard, slower kick than a bottle neck magnum. I have more than once wound up with a head ache, from my poor head being shook around. But that is only with heavier hand loads. The factory loads, I would say, are about like a 30-30 in a model 94 carbine.
My advice is to buy your Marlin. It is the most accurate lever gun I have ever had and every load I have tried is good for accuracy. Further, the light loads always go low and every increase in power makes them shoot a bit higher (at 100 metres). Lowest to highest loads are up to a foot difference in elevation at 100 metres, but never has any load been off to one side or the other.
 
I love the recoil from the 45-70. it seems just as strong as a beefy 38-55 that I shoot. Range time includes the ever popular carbines and rifles in 30-30 , 32 special , 45-70, 25-20 and soon a 25-35.. but nothing does compare to the feeling of a big bore. It reacts much like my 6.5-55 Swede. Gives your shoulder a shot to keep you awake. I would consider the 45-70 as capable as many modern calibers, at reasonable distances, to be an ultimate hunting caliber.
 
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