.45-70 Government

[jhl247]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some feedback for those of you who've fired a .45-70 Government caliber rifle. I am interested in purchasing a lever action rifle for big game hunting (buffalo maybe).

I've done a bit of research and the bullet trajectory is like a cannon ball vs .308. Does anyone have any experience and/or tips with this caliber? Pros/Cons? Expensive to purchase or reload?

Thank you in advance.

[henpecked]

Hornadys Leverlution ammo reaches out but I wouldnt take a shot after 200 yards.
Bulletboy ammo in thornton reloads several different bullets some are very reasonable.
Great gun if you like the big bores...

[DOC]

Big Honking Round. Get it. Big rainbow trajectory, if the price is good enough you should get it. But you may have to reload to get a supply of ammo.

[TFOGGER]

I have a Marlin 1895 in .45-70. Factory ammo is loaded very conservatively in deference to the Trapdoor Springfields. Performance can be improved considerably by handloading in modern actions. Even so, I wouldn't want to rely on Kentucky windage past about 300 yards. With a properly set up tang mounted peep sight, I have seen guys consistently hit a 10 inch skillet at over 500 yards, but I am not capable of that kind of accuracy with that rifle. On the plus side, inside 200 yards, it'll kill anything that walks the planet with 450 solids in appropriate handloads.

[Colorado Osprey]

nice light plinking loads with cast bullets and Titegroup powder

BTW, the LeveRevolution bullets shoot about 2-3' high at 200 yards when compared to standard Springfield over the counter ammo.
There is a bunch of load data for the Marlin 1895 45-70 that equals the 450 marlin and close to the 458WinMag

[jhl247]

Thanks for the feedback.

Re: TFOGGER: The model I'm looking at is the Marlin 1985. Will post pictures if I do go through with the purchase.

[Zombie Steve]

I haven't owned one. I've shot several. I have a thing for loading smokeless powder in cartridges that were designed for black powder.

To elaborate on Tfogger's point, there are really three sets of loading data for the .45-70 depending on what kind of action you are using. Trapdoor Springfields (weakest), modern lever guns like the 1895 and some whoppers for falling block or single shot actions. Trust me when I say that the lever gun data will be plenty.

I have an 1894 in .44 mag now, but there's a Guide Gun in my future.

There are guys that still shoot Sharps rifles in .45-70 at 1,000 yards. Pretty much artillery calculations, but they do it. For most practical purposes, it's a 200 yard gun as far as I'm concerned.