Who's hunting a 45-70? Lever guys (and others) respond!

[blueoval56]

The only thing it adds is dies, shellholder and brass - considering how loaded my bench and surrounding area is now, that's a drop in the bucket. I may go for a Browning TD in .450.

I currently hunt with an early 1895G, blued with ports (one of the very first bunch to come into the country) as well as an NEF Handi-Rifle, and truth to be old, I find myself reaching for the Handi more often than not. I've done the gamut from mild to wild and these days seem to find myself doing most things with either a 420 cast and checked or a 3 ball garrison load...

I agree 100%. It wouldn't be a big deal to me either and I will probably own one someday eventually.
I also agree that hot loads are definitely not necessary. It's a lot of fun to see what these things can do, but I don't know many that load them to max and continue to do so. I use hard cast in the 390-450gr range at 1300-1600fps in my 45-70's. If I want more performance I grab my 458 win mag

 

[anglia2]

Gosh, will you folks ever give up?

30-40 Krag, with numerous and much better options. Including Nosler Partitions.

I can't think of a classier combination: A Ruger RSI deep blued steel/walnut, low end variable Leupold with quick dismount rings and irons, thirty caliber bore with a true partition for extra confidence.

I'm in

 

[a j cave]

just came up from reloading room. I am trying out some loads for my Marlin 1895 with microgroove. 405 RCBS with gas check over 3031 & 4198. I have settled on a hunting load for my Ruger #3, 50gr 3031 and 405 cast GC. 1750 fps in the tiny thing. Any more & it starts to get wild.