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

I have a preRem 1895 GS. Bought it off a user out here a couple of years ago. I thought stainless would be a pain, scaring off all kinds of game, but not at all. It's actually great to know it's more weather resistant when out in the rain. Anyways... I digress. I've harvested deer with factory loads 405 grain remingtons to hand loaded 425 grain Crater Lites, it works wonderfully and the range of what you can shoot is quite large. This is by far my favorite gun and just feels right.
 
My Browning 1885, 45-70 with open sights worked just fine in Africa! It was also devastating on my Elk at 110 yrds

P1010012.jpg


P1010020.jpg


P1010075.jpg
 
That one baffled me as well because if they had of I would have bought one of their take down, black/gray laminate, stainless steel BLR's in 45-70 but passed on it cause I wasn't going to start loading for the 450 Marlin = I already load for 3 45-70's.
 
I'm not 100% certain, but I'm pretty sure it's quite hard to get the big rimmed 45-70 to run through a magazine reliably. I know it has been done on some Siamese mausers but they may be the exception to the rule based on design.
I don't own any 450 Marlin chambered rifles, but my friend has one and it is simply a 45-70 with a belt instead of rim that's rated for higher pressures. I can see why someone would not want to have both simply because the 45-70 will do everything the 450 will do when you reload and it would just add more components to the reloading bench.
On the other hand, I have thought that it would be nice to have a 20" barrelled bolt action 45-70 to have in the collection. After a lot of research I found the most economical way was to buy a short action savage and buy a prefit barrel in 450 Marlin which equates to a 45-70 bolt gun in performance and feeds great from the mag.
 
I still have 2, a Ruger #3 and an older Marlin 95. Yes there are more practicable hunting guns, but these are just plain fun. I also have a 577/450 that has hunted as well as a few that have only shot gophers and rabbits (577 snider, 50-70 rolling block, 50-90 Sharps). All the large bore black powder cartridges are a good time, no mater smokeless or black. The leavers, if bought well seem to hold there value well. lots of cast out there. I shoot 300-535, but use 405 most. If you don't cast, lots do and you can buy most.
 
I have a Siamese Mauser chambered in 45-70 and use 400gr Woodleigh Weldcores at just under 2100fps. I've only used it on one large black bear boar but it did the job well.
 
Ruger does not chamber the RSI in .45/70 and never have...

But we are working on Lipsey's to get it done.

I have had a number of .45/70's in Marlin levers, Sharps and Ruger's... I am down to a single Ruger No.1-S in .45/70.... the nice thing about a falling block, is that you can load it from mild to wild.

we need to talk about a rsi in 303 ...
 
we need to talk about a rsi in 303 ...

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. ;)
 
Last edited:
It is often said the remlins were poor for a couple years, but not are fine
When did you buy?

I got mine in November 2013... I'm pretty sure most if not all the screws are now loctited... within months of purchasing pretty much all the screws had come loose. Not like I was surprised for the price of the ole girl... All that being said, I love my 1895 and would never part with it.
 
Ill be taking my 444xlr for bear in May :)

Much love for this Cal Recoils like a 30-30 hits like the hammer of thor.
Must reload for it though
 
I just purchases a Guide Gun in 45-70 and have a fresh can of IMR 4198 does anyone have a good recipe for this powder under a 405gr lead bullet around 1500 FPS?
 
I just purchases a Guide Gun in 45-70 and have a fresh can of IMR 4198 does anyone have a good recipe for this powder under a 405gr lead bullet around 1500 FPS?

Do you have a chronograph? If yes, start at 30 gr and work your way up to find the best load.

Sorry popcan, no info for you with the barnes busters, I mostly stick with good 'ole lead.
 
I'm coming late to the ball, but I have a Browning '86 rifle (non-rebounding hammer) in 45-70. It has taken two moose for me with a smokeless BP equivalent load with 420 gr RNFP handcast bullets.

Both were heart shots. One backed up a few steps, reared up and fell over backwards. Range was 35 yards. T'other (thirty-six inch rack) was at 75 yds. It ran 50 yds and piled up.
The 45-70 works on game.
 
I'm not 100% certain, but I'm pretty sure it's quite hard to get the big rimmed 45-70 to run through a magazine reliably. I know it has been done on some Siamese mausers but they may be the exception to the rule based on design.
I don't own any 450 Marlin chambered rifles, but my friend has one and it is simply a 45-70 with a belt instead of rim that's rated for higher pressures. I can see why someone would not want to have both simply because the 45-70 will do everything the 450 will do when you reload and it would just add more components to the reloading bench.
On the other hand, I have thought that it would be nice to have a 20" barrelled bolt action 45-70 to have in the collection. After a lot of research I found the most economical way was to buy a short action savage and buy a prefit barrel in 450 Marlin which equates to a 45-70 bolt gun in performance and feeds great from the mag.

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...
 
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. ;)

You have my attention...
 
Back
Top Bottom