What bullets you use for 45-70?

James1873

James1873

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i was just curious what bullets people use for deer for the 45-70.

Just started reloading and so far i like the 300 grain jacketed hp bullets, going around 1900 fps. its not the most powerful load for sure, probably top end trapdoor load. but they are pretty accurate.

i haven't shot anything with it other then paper, so not sure on how it will expand on deer sized game if at all. I have some regular 405 grain lead flat nose bullets, maybe thats a better bullet for deer?

just looking for some field experienced people with the 45-70, I'm just looking for a good bullet/load and going to stick with it.
 
300gr JHP's at 2100fps MV shoot clear through broadside on mountain sheep at close range, should do the same on deer. I've also used Hornady 350gr RN, Remington 405gr and Swift A-Frame 400gr on Moose and Elk. I would stick with Swift or Woodleigh 400gr bullets because these are a core-bond design and won't over-expand or fragment.
 
405gr Woodleigh Weldcores at just under 2100fps from my Siamese Mauser. I also have some 350gr Speers that I use for target practice but haven't shot any game with them. The Woodleigh's work excellent.
 
I use the Remington 405gr FNSP over 46gr of IMR 3031 I've got enough of both to wear out my marlin. So far I've shot 7 maybe 8 mule deer with that load and none have made 20yrds after the shot. Recoils not bad andaccuracy is good for me. Got the load from venturino in Rifle magazine and haven't messed with it
 
Remington 405gr recovered from a Moose shot with a Marlin .45-70 at about 1850 fps MV. A raking shot at about 80 meters and struck high on the shoulder breaking it, severed the spinal chord and lodged in the neck. Penetrated about 18 inches. Dead right there. Worked but I would prefer a core-bond design on big Bear for better penetration.

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Slamfire said:
Remington 405gr recovered from a Moose shot with a Marlin .45-70 at about 1850 fps MV. A raking shot at about 80 meters and struck high on the shoulder breaking it, severed the spinal chord and lodged in the neck. Penetrated about 18 inches. Dead right there. Worked but I would prefer a core-bond design on big Bear for better penetration.

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Sounds like those rounds performed well. too back the jacket came off though, I always thought it was better if the jacket stayed on?
 
CAST and only cast. RCBS 45-300gr FN (flat nose 300 gr bullet) and 45-405FN (flat nose 405 gr bullet) in a 450 Marlin (really, it's the twin of the 45-70). I look at the price of loaded stuff and bullets for reloading and can't see why anyone would use jacketed stuff for this round. Cast stuff is WAY cheaper, shoots very accurately and performance on game is excellent. What are you guys paying for ammo now?
 
big boar said:
CAST and only cast. RCBS 45-300gr FN (flat nose 300 gr bullet) and 45-405FN (flat nose 405 gr bullet) in a 450 Marlin (really, it's the twin of the 45-70). I look at the price of loaded stuff and bullets for reloading and can't see why anyone would use jacketed stuff for this round. Cast stuff is WAY cheaper, shoots very accurately and performance on game is excellent. What are you guys paying for ammo now?
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I think I've read somewhere that cast bullets have a "speed limit" before you get excessive leading. Can't remember how many fps it was but that's probably why guys shoot jacketed if they plan on loading over 1800 fps or whatever the "limit" is
 
If I was set up to cast and I didn't have 3 kids under 5 and I got to shoot more than I do now a days I'd load hand cast bullets. They're really something in rounds like the 45Govt or other similar rounds like the 444 or 44, 45colt. Hell they'd be fun to play with in pretty well any other round as well for the right task
 
In both jacketed and cast, I have the following selection available, basically for use in the 45-70 Marlin, a GS and a GBL.
Jacketed
- Remington 300gr SJHP
- Hornady 325gr FTX
- Hornady 350gr Interlock
- Speer 400gr
- Remington 405gr
Cast
- 325gr RFNGC
- 405gr LFNGC
- 420gr LFNGC
Highlighted are my favorites and in addition, I have a few others available in the 500gr + weight range set aside for use in the 458WM.
 
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big boar said:
CAST and only cast. RCBS 45-300gr FN (flat nose 300 gr bullet) and 45-405FN (flat nose 405 gr bullet) in a 450 Marlin (really, it's the twin of the 45-70). I look at the price of loaded stuff and bullets for reloading and can't see why anyone would use jacketed stuff for this round. Cast stuff is WAY cheaper, shoots very accurately and performance on game is excellent. What are you guys paying for ammo now?
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This.^^
 
big boar said:
CAST and only cast. RCBS 45-300gr FN (flat nose 300 gr bullet) and 45-405FN (flat nose 405 gr bullet) in a 450 Marlin (really, it's the twin of the 45-70). I look at the price of loaded stuff and bullets for reloading and can't see why anyone would use jacketed stuff for this round. Cast stuff is WAY cheaper, shoots very accurately and performance on game is excellent. What are you guys paying for ammo now?
Click to expand...

James1873 said:
I think I've read somewhere that cast bullets have a "speed limit" before you get excessive leading. Can't remember how many fps it was but that's probably why guys shoot jacketed if they plan on loading over 1800 fps or whatever the "limit" is
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My experience with cast bullets in my Ruger No.1 and Marlin .45-70's? Too many fliers and key-holers so I don't trust these at all for hunting and just stick with jacketed.
 
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