45-70 queston

[hundy]

I am looking to get a lever action rifle for Christmas. In the mid 90's I owned a 30-30 and I loved that rifle. Life changes (wife, kids, small apartment) kind forced me to sell it. Life changes again, kids grown, now nice house. So I know I would like to get another lever action rifle. I may possibly go hog hunting in future with a group from work.
So I have never fired a 45-70, I have fired a 30-30, 308, and my 12 gauge. I have read one post that talks about how much more powerful a 45-70 is. So I was curious how much more recoil compared to 30-30. Is a 45-70 to much for hog hunting? I have looked at the store and noticed the ammo is more expensive. But I cannot explain why, but I am intrigued by the rifle.
Any info is appreciated

Thank you

Jay

[Tom-ADC]

I shoot 45-70 mostly in either my Sharps or Trapdoor but do have a 1895 Marlin, factory ammo is available from 250 gr to well into the 405 plus, I reload a 535 grain for my Sharps but these would never chamber in my Marlin.
If you've shot a 30-30 lever action and didn't mind it the 45-70 isn't going to be to much. If you reload it opens up a whole new world of fun.

[toby]

It's not a big factor heck I shot one in a 14" contender pistol many times.

[TMB 1]

45-70 isn't bad until you get to the Ruger only loads in a #3 but they wouldn't be safe to shoot in a lever action anyway.

[vincewarde]

The 45/70 can be loaded anywhere from mild to hot. It's a great cartridge for cast bullets. As for hogs, I don't think that it is too much. There are lots of good commercial loadings for this 141 year old round.

[Jarhead]

Does anyone use vintage scopes on their Sharps

[as_rocketman]

As I noted in another thread, at last weekend's Appleseed I let four relatively new shooters -- all of whom were using .22 LR's -- try out my Ruger #1 in .45-70. None of them had any trouble with it or were disturbed by the recoil. Though they did find it awesome.

Loading was Federal Fusion, 300 grain rated at 1850 feet per second. This is a very average loading, comparable in pressure to loads for old Springfield Trapdoor rifles. I'd say the recoil is comparable to a .30-30 170 gr load, except the .45-70 is more of a push than a kick.

I'd also say it's well suited for hog hunting.

There are much, much hotter loads available, but unless you're after big bears or something (or you just want to brag about it), probably not needed.

[dfletcher]

I am looking to get a lever action rifle for Christmas. In the mid 90's I owned a 30-30 and I loved that rifle. Life changes (wife, kids, small apartment) kind forced me to sell it. Life changes again, kids grown, now nice house. So I know I would like to get another lever action rifle. I may possibly go hog hunting in future with a group from work.
So I have never fired a 45-70, I have fired a 30-30, 308, and my 12 gauge. I have read one post that talks about how much more powerful a 45-70 is. So I was curious how much more recoil compared to 30-30. Is a 45-70 to much for hog hunting? I have looked at the store and noticed the ammo is more expensive. But I cannot explain why, but I am intrigued by the rifle.
Any info is appreciated

Thank you

Jay

I have a few 45/70 rifles and a pistol, recoil using standard loads is no big deal. Handloads can belt you a bit, and the Marlin Guide Gun packs a pretty good kick compared to a larger rifle. I have a Gibbs (Enfield) bolt action in 45/70 and it's much tamer.

Compared to a 12 gauge, the 45/70 is pretty modest.

[hundy]

Thank you

Thank you for the information. I am really considering getting a rifle in 45-70 and this information has helped a lot.

Thank you

Jay

[gdr_11]

I echo the earlier comments. I had a Marlin 1895 and hand loaded with 300 gr. bullets and a slow burning powder and the recoil was always more of a heavy push than a shoulder punishment. Although ancient, this is an excellent caliber for hunting and fun shooting. Just don't expect to poke out a frogs eye at `1000 yds

[ivanimal]

I have 2 1895 Marlins one traditional and one XLR stainless with a pepperwood stock. I love them and will only hunt with one of them for piggies. I use 350 grain hollow points loaded to medium strength. I use Lyman's 49th edition Marlin only load data. They have 3 different load options for the different pressure ratings of 45-70 rifles. It is possible to have a bad day if you mix them so please be aware and label, label, label.

I used to use a 30-06 but had a bad experience with a pig that did not know it was dead. I have since started carrying a glock 20 10 MM side arm with 200 grain hunting projectiles as well. Experience tells me pigs are no joke. Bring enough gun. Shot placement is everything. If you are not sure where you hit it give it a few minutes before approaching a downed animal. It may save you some skin.

[SansSouci]

hundy,

When Marlin introduced its Guide Gun, I jumped on one at an excellent price because it looked cool, and I have sentimentality for lever actions.

I knew a gunsmith at the time I bought it. He told me to open it up in terms of hand loading to see its capabilities. He told me that that gun will withstand loads that I can't.

I did. I had no clue of how powerful that that gun is on both ends. Before I reached close to maximum pressure, that gun beat all bad things right out of me. I have never fired a more miserably recoiling rifle in my life. I was going to sell it. But because it's an original Guide Gun and I am back to hand loading, I am going to give it another try with loads on the far left of the power continuum.

I was skeptical when I was told that the nearly century-and-a-half-old .45/70 is an elephant gun. I ain't any more. There is no doubt in my mind that an appropriately loaded .45/70 will kill everything that walks Earth. From what I've read, Guide Guns have felled elephants. It doesn't surprise me.

My advice is to buy a .45/70. That cartridge has been around for a very, very long time and will be around long after newer mega-magnums have faded from memory because it does work. I'd hunt everything in North America with one including polar bear. But for bench shooting, go with lightest loads possible. And BTW, you will need an aftermarket recoil pad.

Were I to buy another .45/70, I'd look on the used market for an original Marlin sans safety and a 22" barrel. While I'm not sure if such a rifle will tame recoil, mine is extremely loud with its factory porting. Were I to find one and put an appropriate scope on it, I could kill everything in North America out to 300 yards, maybe more if I figured out bullet trajectory. When that huge 400 grain bullet hits any animal, it will die.

[Tom-ADC]

Load the 45-70 to trapdoor levels and have fun. If those early loads took buffalo (bison) then with proper shot placement the pig will be history.
Later play around and load it up a little.
Big heavy bullets do recoil, but a 405 grain at trapdoor specs not so bad.

[oddjob]

I have a Browning 1886 45-70 rifle. I'm no expert, but I have shot a few 45-70's. My opinion is it's not so much the recoil, but the design of the butt plate. That 1886 with the crescent butt plate is torture for me. Last time I fired 12-15 rounds (prone & standing) and I quit. My friend called me a p***y and grabbed it. He got off about 5 and quit. That was with the milder trapdoor reloads. I have fired other 45-70 rifles without pain.

Having said that the 45-70 in general isn't bad at all. I'm glad I have one and plan to get a few more.

[Dutch Henry]

45-70 is a potent round. I shoot the 1886 Winchester more accurately than the 1895 Marlin and the recoil seems less with the 1886, too.

Check out the recoil tables for the 30-30, 45-70 and other rounds at http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm