Big Bore Regret?

[johnthomas]

My son in law bought a 45/70 last year, I bought him some ammo for Christmas. When I bought the ammo, I opened it and looked at it and said, "hell no". I wont hurt myself on purpose.

[k1dude]

Big bores typically aren't used for plinking or blasting boxes of ammo per recreational outing. Not only will they beat you up, but the cost in ammo is prohibitive. Big bores are usually used as specialty tools for specific hunting situations.

If you want to blast and plink with a rifle, pick something inexpensive to shoot that won't beat you up - .22 LR, .38 spl, .357 mag, 9mm, .223, etc. Those rounds are a helluva lotta fun to blast a bajillion rounds all day long.

My big bores aren't used for plinking, they're used for hunting.

[Dutch Henry]

Get a PAST Recoil Shield for about $30. Then you can shoot big bores all day long without pain. I use a PAST Shield for sighting in rifles of the .375 and
.458 persuasion from a bench rest.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

A 50 BMG style muzzle brake would look kind of funny on a 444 Marlin lever action.

[desert dog]

A friend once bought a like new 460 Weatherby magnum rifle

This is the most heavy recoiling hunting rifle I have ever shot. TOTALLY unnecessary unless Jurassic Park becomes a reality.

Really, the lever guns like 45-70 don't have much recoil compared to full power rifle rounds. They just have way too little powder charge to kick that bad. Compared to dangerous game cartridges, the lever guns are very easy to shoot.

[Opoponax]

This is the most heavy recoiling hunting rifle I have ever shot. TOTALLY unnecessary unless Jurassic Park becomes a reality.

Really, the lever guns like 45-70 don't have much recoil compared to full power rifle rounds. They just have way too little powder charge to kick that bad. Compared to dangerous game cartridges, the lever guns are very easy to shoot.

I take it you don't own a 45-70, nor have you seen the size of a 45-70 casing. Either that or you've only shot cowboy loads out of one. Try using Buffalo Bore or even the Hornady Lever-Revolution rounds. Then come back and say they have little kick.

As to the OP, in addition to my 45-70, I also have a 375 H&H Mag. The damn thing kicks like a .12 gauge slug*. So I got recoil pad for it, and it's fine now. It's a cheap Recoil Eraser I got on Amazon for $20 or so.

Anyway, part of the fun of owning a big bore is the challenge they present. For me, 200 yards with a 325+ grain bullet is the outer limit of accuracy with my 45-70. Rather than adjusting my sights, I try to get used to holding over a certain amount so that I can count on that holdover. I'm to the point where more often than not, it works.

And the thing you have to remember, is that a clean shot at 200 using a big bore rifle is far more challenging than hitting say, 400-500 with a smaller caliber.

If some guy wants to brag about hitting close groups at 1000+ with his 6.5 Creedmoor, that's cool (and I really do dig that caliber). But put a big bore in his hands and tell him to hit the same size group at 150. See how that goes.

*Frankly, my 375 is a POS. I bought someone else's problem. So obviously, not all guns are created equal.

[HUTCH 7.62]

I have no problem shooting 45-70. But I am 6.2 280 lbs. Hell my 1895G used to be my home defense gun when I lived in a ghetto.

[hermosabeach]

Take a look at Skinner Sights for your rifle... Good quality iron peep sights... I find peep sights to help me with accuracy over the open blade....

http://www.skinnersights.com/

This sight is fully windage and elevation adjustable





heavy bullets can hurt... sometimes going to the heaviest bullet is softer on the shoulder as its a slower push, not a snappy punch

[hermosabeach]

I also encourage you to shoot the rifle standing with or without support- shooting sticks.

If not standing, kneeling. The bench is the worst for recoil damage

[CSACANNONEER]

A 50 BMG style muzzle brake would look kind of funny on a 444 Marlin lever action.

There are many styles of muzzle brakes designed for 50 BMGs. Most of them would look fine on a modern lever gun. Which style of MB are you talking about? Maybe a clamshell type brake??? Or, maybe a tanker style brake???

[deckhandmike]

Get a slip on pad for the stock and shoot it off sticks and it will be fine. If it still bothers you it’s time to sell.

[desert dog]

I take it you don't own a 45-70, nor have you seen the size of a 45-70 casing. Either that or you've only shot cowboy loads out of one. Try using Buffalo Bore or even the Hornady Lever-Revolution rounds. Then come back and say they have little kick.

Typical Calguns FUD.

I have three 45-70s that I load for. Loaded hot, 400gr projectiles only reach 2000 fps. My wife and boys shoot it with no issues. I use it as my camp gun in Grizzly country.

Compare that to my 416 Rigby, also shooting a 400gr projectile, and you get 2500 fps. That is a SIGNIFICANT increase in recoil for rifles that weight about the same.

Sounds like you are a very sensitive guy if the 45-70 kicks your ***. Must suck, glad I don't have that issue.

[leadstorm]

I take it you don't own a 45-70, nor have you seen the size of a 45-70 casing. Either that or you've only shot cowboy loads out of one. Try using Buffalo Bore or even the Hornady Lever-Revolution rounds. Then come back and say they have little kick.

As to the OP, in addition to my 45-70, I also have a 375 H&H Mag. The damn thing kicks like a .12 gauge slug*. So I got recoil pad for it, and it's fine now. It's a cheap Recoil Eraser I got on Amazon for $20 or so.

Anyway, part of the fun of owning a big bore is the challenge they present. For me, 200 yards with a 325+ grain bullet is the outer limit of accuracy with my 45-70. Rather than adjusting my sights, I try to get used to holding over a certain amount so that I can count on that holdover. I'm to the point where more often than not, it works.

And the thing you have to remember, is that a clean shot at 200 using a big bore rifle is far more challenging than hitting say, 400-500 with a smaller caliber.

If some guy wants to brag about hitting close groups at 1000+ with his 6.5 Creedmoor, that's cool (and I really do dig that caliber). But put a big bore in his hands and tell him to hit the same size group at 150. See how that goes.

That's funny right there.

I compete with a .45-70 in matches out to 1000 yards. I can shoot 1/2-MOA all day long with a homemade 535gr Postell lead bullet over blackpowder...and iron (aperture) sights.

Recoil ain't a real factor in that rifle (rolling block) nor my Guide Gun. I load near-max with smokeless and jacketed bullets in the latter. Hell, even my BFR handgun in .45-70 isn't bad.

[TMB 1]

This is the most heavy recoiling hunting rifle I have ever shot. TOTALLY unnecessary unless Jurassic Park becomes a reality.

Really, the lever guns like 45-70 don't have much recoil compared to full power rifle rounds. They just have way too little powder charge to kick that bad. Compared to dangerous game cartridges, the lever guns are very easy to shoot.

Hotter 45-70 lever rifle Marlin/1886 loads don't kick bad. Full power Ruger only 45-70 loads kick pretty good in a Ruger No.3.

[orangeusa]

44 Remmag and 45 Colt in a lever have very little kick. I dont hunt so these work for me.