45-70 queston

[Jarhead]

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.

Go Giants! Must Win today

[aklon]

I've got a Browning Model 1886 in .45-70 and how much recoil you get depends on how much powder you back the round with. Using the same casing, primer and bullet (405 gr. jacketed flat nose) but with different powder charges, at 100 yards you can see the impact point walk up and down the target.

With some loads, the heavier ones, I know grown men who will not fire the rifle.

[J.R.W.]

I load my marlin 1895 from the bottom of trapdoor loads 2 the top of lever action loads . Factory loads are mild on the shoulder & have good take down on just about any thing . If u reload its mild 2 wild

[jj805]

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

The above in bold is what I was going to say. It doesn't hit you, it just gives you a shove. Unless you load it really hot and heavy. I like the 405 grain loads moving around 1700-1800 fps.

[otteray]

Cat sneeze loads are cheap fun, too, using a sized lead ball over a very light charge of the right powder.

[M1NM]

With a 45-70 you'll want to reload. The factory doesn't know if you're using an old black powder gun so they tend to load them light.

[elk hunter]

I enjoy my T/C Encore with the 45-70 barrel on it, shoots great. Recoil is not much with the load I use and I put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it for the heavier loading I plan on using for some hunting.

[Sabot]

I have an 1895 Marlin and I can tell you after shooting LEVERevolution rounds through it, that gun can kill in both directions.

[draftingmonkey]

Have a Henry .45-70 lever action that I have been pretty happy with. Also have an H&R Buffalo Classic breech loader that I really like also.

[deckhandmike]

I'll go opposite of everyone and say it's not a great round for CA hogs. Drops like a brick at distance and a scoped rifle is going to be a big advantage at realistic ranges. That being said, guys take hogs with a bow. I'd say 45-70 is a good round in a rifle quiver but not the gun you grab every time if you are serious about meat on the table. I'd ask the same question in the hunting forum. You might get different answers.

[19K]

from my experience 44mag had more recoil than a .30-30
ive shot 45-70 in a BFR in Georgia and that was brutal. im sure its not a joke in a rifle.

[sfbay]

I like my Marlin 1895.

This thread reminds me I should take it to the range soon. that i

[jm13690]

I use the 45-70 for hogs and love it. If you can shoot a 308 you are not going to have much more felt recoil then that. Possibly if you go with a guide gun you will feel more recoil. I would say the felt recoil is less then a 12 ga slug. The one thing is that it is a fantastic brush gun especially for hogs. If you plan on shooting 100 yards+ I would go with a cartridge that has a better trajectory. You can scope it and get a little more distance out of it, but I feel that scoping a brush gun kinda defies its purpose for fast accusations.

One thing though is that you will have to get into reloading. Although the 45-70 has a lot of factory ammo available. Your options for lead free is really minimal. So if you plan on hunting with it, take into account that you will eventually need to go to lead free. It can be difficult to find a decent round, I tried the 250 grain lead free and it was hitting a foot high. Grouped fine but just couldn't find a load to lower it. I am now using the 300 grain lead free and it seemed to fix the problem.

Plus it is fun to shoot that big boom.

[JTROKS]

I have a 16.5" 45-70 barrel for my TC Contender. When shot pistol mode with 405 grain hard cast loads it will let you know you're shooting something with power. One day I'll take it hunting again and hopefully get a big california hog.

[socal147]

I own a Sharps Highwall and Marlin 1895 GS in 45/70. I reload and cast. Load light and you can shoot all day with little recoil. Load medium and you can kill most game. Load hot and you can kill any animal in North America.
I use the same philosophy for the 500 Magnum. Light loads make them fun to shoot. The biggest advantage of large cartridge rounds is the very wide range of load options. From mole hunting to killing Godzilla, it's all doable.