Wondering, does anyone here hunt with a .45-70? I've got a Marlin with open sights, and I only shoot it reliably out to 75 or 100 yards, and I'm thinking that range might make for some exciting and challenging hunting. Anyone have experience with that set up?

Not with that particular caliber, but I've done a lot with open sighted leverguns at those ranges. Vast majority of shots in this state are well under 100 yards, I would imagine. Practice enough to be confident and whack some critters!

Most of the longer shots are in south and west Texas.. expecially when you have a feeder set up 200 yards from your blind. Would work great in the right hunting area.

Until his safe was liberated right out through the front door my brother hunted with a 1885 single shot 45-70. He didn't need a second shot. He shot 500 grain swaged lead paper patched bullets that dropped everything no matter how big or far away. I was afraid he was gonna give himself shaken baby syndrome.

I have one and hunted pigs with it for a few years. It worked fine, ammo just got a little pricey for me and I don't re-load. If you want to use it as a true .45-70, you have to order ammo from Corbon or Buffalo Bore. The over-the-counter stuff's pretty watered down.

I have a couple of 45/70's, a Marlin Guide gun and a Winchester( new make)1886 Take Down. The 45/70 in just about any loading will kill deer and hogs. Remember that the 45/70 was originally a black powder cartridge running around 1300 fps and killed many a Buffalo and other animals. The current Remington 405 gr. round pretty much duplicates the old black powder round, except it uses a jacketed soft point bullet. If you want something more get the Winchester 300 gr. loading, it's still low pressure but pushes the 300 gr. bullet a bit faster. Or just reload for it and you can push it until your rifle blows up, or your shoulder does. I like a 405 gr. Remington JSP bullet moving around 1600 or so fps. It's accurate and WHOOPS the heck out of anything you hit with it. A good set of peep sights, I like XS, make a real differences when using iron sights for hunting.

i agree rickyK I too have the winchester 1886 new make..except non takedown. ive been shooting the remington flat nosed hollow point 300 gr bullets. I have them loaded behind 59 grns of H-4895 and they are very accurate. After a little practice with the original buckhorn open sights i got good at 100 yards..maybe an 1.5 to 2 inch group of 5. I have shot it at 200 yards as well...the groups were quite a bit larger...prob around 5 inches. Hardest part is the front sight almost completely covers the target at that range...but its doable. I probably wouldnt take a shot a small game at that range..but for 100 yards... Its accurate as i need it to be. Will drop a massive hog dead in his tracks no problem. Ive taken some smaller game with it as well. I thought it would destroy the meat... but much to my supprise it didnt do that much damage... It made a clean kill without excessive detrimental damage. 45-70 is my fav caliber to hunt with.

I have a Marlin lever in 45/70 and shoot the new Hornady Leverevolution 325 grainers through it. I guess it's not "traditional" but that's what I feed it. I also have a williams peep/receiver sight on it that I love. Shoots very well, similar to what Spacemonkey said, 1"-2" groups @ 100. Haven't had a chance to use it in the field yet but just got on a lease that has quite a few piggies runnin' around so we will see how that ammo works pretty soon.

I have a marlin XLR in 45-70. I've been shooting lever revolution ammo and also a few 530gr +P ammo manufactured by Garrett. Those bad boys pack a punch.

I have owned a couple but never hunted with a 45/70, but I do hunt with a 9.3x62 and have found it to be extremely deadly on deer and hogs without blowing them up.

The same principle should apply to the 45/70. Heavy and slow bullets just punch holes and knock'em down where light and fast tend to leave meat blood shot.

45-70 knocked these 2 guys down and out. Also took a Palo Duro whitetail last fall with a 45-70 at 187 yds. All were shot with the 325gr Leverevolution ammo. I love that gun.

I'm now hunting with a Winchester 1885 in 45-70 using Hornady Leverevolution ammo. Took it to the range and at 100yds. it produced a cloverleaf 3 shot pattern. One of the most accurate rifles I have. I got tired of deer running off using a 243W. Kicks like hell but good shot placement and down they go. Remember it was a Buffalo calibre.