well, although I do not own one, I will say this, in my experience with other peoples guns, the standard 45/70 load, fired out of real rifles, over real chronographs, can barely get out of its own way. Despite the over hyped adverts, it is not, and never can be, a 458 Winchester, despite the fancy bullets. Simply does not have the case capacity. It really just isn't all that BIG a gun.
Tell me about the 45/70.
- Thread starter Calum
- Start date
The Hornady Leverevolution ammo shot wickedly accurate out of my 1885 but then that was thru a tang sight on a 26in barrel. I have bought a box of FTX and bottle of the Leverevolution powder and just need to get around to rolling my own. Hornady lists their factory loads at 2050fps and its a 325gr I think. Nice for a change to be able to get both the factory bullet and powder to roll your own/
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Leverevolution style bullets are probably the way to go as far as ballistic effeciency is concerned. To my way of thinking though, in the larger calibers such as the 45-70 and 444 Marlin for example, the big flat nose bullets, cast or jacketed, seem to fit the bill well enough as is. The spire point style definately has its advantages but even so, I don't know if there's really much to be gained when used in the fore mentioned calibers at their normally acceptable thought of ranges.
Check out the Barnes .458 TSX 450gn bullets. About as long and "sleek" as you are about to get in a bullet in this caliber. Got a box of 20 to try single feeding into my marlin. Should be a HOOT!!!
Its not the moose that's bad its the carpet lol. I kid I kid. Kinda lol. I love the 4570 I have a sxs so chambered. Now I just have to select a bullet I want to use for moose and bear that's cheap enough to plink with. Those barnes tsx bullets sure aren't cheap
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
You're right there. I've gone to Barnes TTSX in a few calibers and they are definately hard on the pocketbook. I hope they're worth it.
CanuckWR, I may pick up some of those 450gr TSX FB
to try in my 458WM. And/or the 500gr TSX FB. In addition I have some 530gr GC cast that the 458WM might like, pictured on the right below.
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Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
In the Marlin 1895GS, as I made mention of in post #10, that's one of the three jacketed bullets I use.
- Hornady 350gr FP
- Speer 400gr FN
- Remington 405gr
I love my Guide Gun. Some 405 grainers from the Bullet Barn and about 47 grains of H322 and I'm off. Ya it's no 270 but that's not what I got it for. It'll still reach 150 yards without any compensating on my part and topped off with a little 1.5x5 Leupold it's great for most of my hunting needs. Besides, I love reloading the 45/70. The big blackie in my avatar was shot broadside with some 550 grain craters. Both shoulders were completely smashed and struck a water puddle on the other side. The bear fell face first and never even rolled on its side. I was very impressed with it's performance.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou Guide gun art with me;
Thy 45-70 lever and thy 405 grain Rem, they comfort me.
That about sums up my relationship with my GG.
I will fear no evil: For thou Guide gun art with me;
Thy 45-70 lever and thy 405 grain Rem, they comfort me.
That about sums up my relationship with my GG.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I used to do all my own casting but if there's one aspect of reloading I don't care for it's casting. I started getting my cast bullets from a friend locally when I first got my 500 S&W. Cast and jacketed bullets were pretty scarce so my friend supplied me with a variety for that hand cannon. Very shortly thereafter, I started getting all my cast supplies from him. To make sure I never get the urge to cast again I sold what equipment I did have.
He has quite a selection of calibres he casts for as well as a good variety for each. Handy for me as he's close by, also a site member. I'll PM you his contact info.
Which city?
If you end up near the puddle I have a Marlin in 45-70 you can try in order to see for yourself what the recoil is like.
Check out Bullet Barn or OMA on Vancouver Island. Oma virgin casts all of their lead and will size to your barrel if you have it slugged. Or you could slug it yourself and send to them. Mucho cheaper than jacketed. Planning to load the FTX with the Leverevolution powder but also with some cast too of the same weight to compare. Seems the FTX is quite a tackdriver in the couple of rifles I have shot it so I will explore that. Its not like I will shoot the damn thing all day. The other guns get so jealous.
OMA is long gone from the island.
Marc and Tara are in my neck of the woods these days.
Good quality bullets and decent folks to deal with as well.
My 45-70 is built on a Siamese Mauser action with a Leupold VXII 1-4x20. Handloads with 405gr Woodleigh's leave the barrel at 2080fps and will group right around 1" at 100yds. Recoil is not that bad but the rifle is pretty heavy, weighing around 9.5lbs scoped.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Sounds like the same scope I have on my Marlin 1895GS, a Leupold 1x4 VARI-XII. A little more eye relief wouldn't hurt. I went with Weaver pivot mounts for quick access to the open sights, should the need arise. 8 lbs empty.
Here's a pic of my 45-70. It started out as a Navy Arms conversion. I then made my own custom long bolt handle and had had the barrel shortened to 20". I also drilled and tapped it, glass bedded the action, added a low scope safety, and Bold trigger. Quite often it will put three rounds touching or very close if I do my part.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Here's a pic of my 45-70. It started out as a Navy Arms conversion. I then made my own custom long bolt handle and had had the barrel shortened to 20". I also drilled and tapped it, glass bedded the action, added a low scope safety, and Bold trigger. Quite often it will put three rounds touching or very close if I do my part.
Looks good
. What calibre did it start out at, I'm assuming it wasn't 45-70? And if it wasn't already in 45-70, did you have to open up the siderails and/or modify the mag follower?Hey I have one of those wing safety things...Mauser right?
Awesome thanks for the offer...I might have one before then.
Also possibly near Quesnel (I'm hoping not PG, lol).
On topic I found this page on case capacity with the different 45/70 brass, interesting stuff...
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/4...case-capacity-safety-warning-please-read.html
Awesome thanks for the offer...I might have one before then.
Also possibly near Quesnel (I'm hoping not PG, lol).
On topic I found this page on case capacity with the different 45/70 brass, interesting stuff...
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/4...case-capacity-safety-warning-please-read.html
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