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Feb 7th, 2025
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 45-70
#253698
11/14/07 08:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16
tomnt
OP
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2007
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I've hunted over the years with various cartridges and now I'm using a 45-70. Ther's not much on here about that caliber so I was wondering if anyone else uses it. The deer I've taken with it have been clean one shot kills. Do most people feel it is too big for whitetail?
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Re: 45-70
[Re: tomnt]
#253699
11/14/07 10:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,830
JCB
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I dont think most people feel it is too big for whitetails. I just think that it is handicapped by its effective range when compaired to the more common bolt action calibers such as the 270, or '06 and that is why you dont see much talk about it.
The 45-70 is a great round thats why it has stood the test of time. If I were going to hunt the deep woods of east Texas I cant think of a better round to be shooting than the 45-70. Every round has its place and a lot of people think that the 45-70's place in our sport is as a deep woods short range thumper, and I tend to think along these lines also.
Its a great round but a vast majority of the hunting in this state takes place in fairly open country where your shots may exceed 200 yards and because of that the 45-70 does not get much attention due to its rainbow like trajectory.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: JCB]
#253700
11/15/07 12:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,640
SaginawHunter
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I have a Marlin 1895CB and I love it. Great round!!!!
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Re: 45-70
[Re: SaginawHunter]
#253701
11/15/07 01:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,597
HunterTed
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I have a 45/70 as well. Probably the only rifle (except for my AR 15's) that I will ever own more than one rifle chaimbered in the same caliber.
Mathews Legacy
Mathews Ovation
Square Up Archery & Lightning Bowstrings Staff Shooter
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Re: 45-70
[Re: HunterTed]
#253702
11/19/07 01:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 543
redog
Tracker
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Tracker
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What is the range on that rifle ?
" smile this is the first day of the rest of your life"
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Re: 45-70
[Re: redog]
#253703
11/19/07 02:02 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 88
Stinger
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 88 |
The range is several (three?) miles. The trajectory, though, is very rainbow-like. I read an Army account of a shot on a target at around 2 miles.
For hunting purposes, most people would be limited to about 30-30 distances. Call it 150 + or - a few yards either way. For an excellent rifleman who is very familiar with the ballistics of this cartridge, much, much further.
The limitation on the 45-70 is not in power, but in trajectory.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Stinger]
#253704
11/19/07 11:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,618
pyledriver
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Out of the short-barrelled Marlins your trajectory will be an issue. HOWEVER, get out in the field and do some shooting! You will be surprised to find that even with the low powered factory ammo, your ranges will likely exceed what most will tell you! It's not gonna be a beanfield rifle by any means, but it IS one heck of a lot of fun to hunt with! The guide guns shine in pig country when your hunting in conditions where pigs bust out like quail from almost under your feet!
I stoke mine with reloads. 405gr soft point bullets traveling around 1900fps will FLATTEN critters! I have a couple boxes of Leverevolution that I'm going to use this year for grins, but I'll probably never replace my reloads! I currently have a scout scope setup on mine, that was my change from a fixed 4 power scope, and now I'm considering going with a red dot only.
It's a round that will make your hunting more fun because you need to keep your ranges shorter than you might with a 270 or similar round.
"Providence protects children and idiots. I know because I have tested it" -Mark Twain
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Re: 45-70
[Re: JCB]
#253705
11/20/07 12:00 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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Quote:
Its a great round but a vast majority of the hunting in this state takes place in fairly open country where your shots may exceed 200 yards and because of that the 45-70 does not get much attention due to its rainbow like trajectory.
Where did you get that information?????
From what I have heard over the years and from my own experience, something like 75 or 80% of the deer in Texas are killed at ranges of 125 yards or less.
There is a whole bunch of land in Texas that being able to see 100 yards means looking up.
Granted, there atre some places in Texas where long shots can be taken, but they are the exception, not the rule.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: tomnt]
#253706
11/20/07 12:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 160
pineywoodshunter
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 160 |
The bullet is a pretty big load.. lol 
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Re: 45-70
[Re: pineywoodshunter]
#253707
11/20/07 02:27 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,578
txtrophy85
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in a sharps reproduction it can be a long range rig. the only expericance i've had with the 45-70 was shooting at short range paper targets with a 336. recoil was extreemly mild.
would be fine for most whitetail hunting.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: txtrophy85]
#253708
11/21/07 04:11 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,618
pyledriver
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You're right about that. Let's not forget the buffalo hunters that regularly took long shots! Having said that, it comes down to knowing your rifle as the real limitation. People hear a round isn't good much past 'X' yards and the next assumption is that it runs out of gas and drops to the ground. Yes, drop is happening, but if you know that amount of drop at 'x' range, even the slow, heavy .45-70 round can be a long range killer!
Works on coyotes too BTW!
"Providence protects children and idiots. I know because I have tested it" -Mark Twain
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Re: 45-70
[Re: pyledriver]
#253709
11/25/07 12:56 AM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 190
44 MAG
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 190 |
Hello Guys,
I am interested in getting a 45-70 too for deer hunting, which gun makers make a good 45-70 and witch one is the better in your your opinion! i have been looking the Thompsons!
Thanks,
Steve,
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Re: 45-70
[Re: 44 MAG]
#253710
11/25/07 02:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 105
Startfireman
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 105 |
I would stick with the Marlin.
Matt J. Letlow
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Startfireman]
#253711
11/25/07 02:32 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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I second that. the Marlin lever actions are going to be damn hard to beat and they come in several different barrel lengths.  
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#253712
11/25/07 03:02 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 190
44 MAG
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 190 |
i will have to check these out! Ok, what barrel length whould be the better one!
Thanks guys!
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#253713
11/25/07 09:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,830
JCB
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Quote:
Quote:
Its a great round but a vast majority of the hunting in this state takes place in fairly open country where your shots may exceed 200 yards and because of that the 45-70 does not get much attention due to its rainbow like trajectory.
Where did you get that information?????
From what I have heard over the years and from my own experience, something like 75 or 80% of the deer in Texas are killed at ranges of 125 yards or less.
There is a whole bunch of land in Texas that being able to see 100 yards means looking up.
Granted, there atre some places in Texas where long shots can be taken, but they are the exception, not the rule.
Not that I need to explain myself, but I will.
MOST deer hunting in this state takes place south or west of Ft. Worth where the terrain starts to become more open than the land south and east of Ft. Worth. It is very common in this type of terrain to be able to see 200+ yards and MOST people would want a pretty flat shooting round in that situation and the 45-70 is by no means a flat shooting round.
I dont know how you came up with the "75 or 80% of the deer in Texas are killed at ranges of 125 yards or less" but I would be willing to bet that you are correct on that. However since most of our state and the hunting lies west and south of Ft. Worth where you can see and shoot more than 200 yards then I will have to disagree with your last statement where you say that the chance of a long shot is the "exception, not the rule".
Keep in mind I said your shots "MAY" exceed 200 yards. I never said that they "would" or "will" and I never implied that most deer in this state were killed at 200 yards either. I am just saying that since MOST hunting in this state takes place south or west of the metroplex where the terrain calls for a more flatter shooting weapon, then that explains why the 45-70 is not a top seller in this part of the world.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: JCB]
#253714
11/25/07 09:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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I have no idea where you came up with any of your information, but I have hunted west/north/and south of the MetroMess all of my life, and to my knowledge, I have never shot a deer at more than 150 yards.
I grew up in Young county and have hunted there for a big part of the 40 years I have been deer hunting, no 200+ yard deer.
Hunted in Montague county for 13 years, only shot 1 or 2 deer that might have been 100 yards away.
Last two deer I shot were out in Pecos county and the farthest one was maybe 90 yards, the other one was 40 or less.
As for the 45/70 not being a top seller, it has to do with the type rifles it is normally offered in, single shots and lever actions, with bolt actions being the most popular and "Black Rifles" moving up fast.
The lack of "popularity" in the 45/70, comes from many things, lack of ability to kill stuff at hunting ranges in Texas, is not one of them.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#253715
11/25/07 09:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,830
JCB
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Quote:
The lack of "popularity" in the 45/70, comes from many things, lack of ability to kill stuff at hunting ranges in Texas, is not one of them.
Well then lets hear it!!!!
I would love to know why the 45-70 is not popular in Texas since trajectory has nothing to do with it.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: JCB]
#253716
11/25/07 10:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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Okay, lets try this one on for size since you evidently missed it. Quote:
As for the 45/70 not being a top seller, it has to do with the type rifles it is normally offered in, single shots and lever actions, with bolt actions being the most popular and "Black Rifles" moving up fast.
Case you haven't noticed, lever action rifles and single shots are not real big sellers, regardless of the caliber.
Top that with the fact that the cartridge is about 125 years old, and is not the latest whizz bang super velocity kid on the block and it can not be used on an AR Platform.
Add to that people don't like shooting big rifles, regardless of the trajectory, they want to shoot little rifles that shoot little bullets so they can kill deer with neck and shots at 100 to 150 yards.
Now back to your statements and attitude about trajectory not having anything to do with the 45/70's lack of poularity.
1. I would be willing to bet, that more people, State Wide, have their feeders/feed pens with in 50 to 150 yards of their stand, than over 150.
2. Even out west where you can see vast distances on many leases a deer 250 or 300 yards away from you, is probably on some ones else's lease.
3. Even among the august membership of this exhaulted forum, most folks are not real quick to start taking "Hail Mary" shots, even if it is on their place.
The point is, the trajectory of a 45/70, is not one of the deciding factors in its popularity or lack there of. If it was, everyone out there would be shooting 264 WinMag's and 220 swifts, they ain't very popular either.
You can be offended/pissed-off/homocidal, makes no difference to me, saying that the 45/70 is not popular because of its "Rainbow Trajectory", is lame on its best day.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#253717
11/25/07 10:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,830
JCB
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No one is "offended/pissed-off/homocidal". Well on seconed thought I will only speak for my self on that one. You called me out wanting a explaination and I gave it to you, and now you want to start with the same old "I am right and everyone else is wrong attitude". Here is something else to chew on: Bolt guns are the most popular style rifles out there. They just also happen to be chambered in the flattest shooting rounds out there. Lever guns are not near as popular as bolt guns. Lever rounds (like the 45-70) also have some of the worst trajectorys out there. Do you see where I am going with this? Based on what I am gathering from your statements you beleive that if the 45-70 was chambered for most bolt guns than it would be just as popular as some of the old school rounds like the 270 or 30-06 or mabe even something like the 300 WSM.  (Thats a happy face, not a "pissed off" face.)
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Re: 45-70
[Re: JCB]
#253718
11/25/07 11:05 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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Quote:
You called me out wanting a explaination and I gave it to you, and now you want to start with the same old "I am right and everyone else is wrong attitude".
I never said that I was right, I said that you were wrong, there is a difference.
I listed cartridges that shoot flat enough that you need a laser measuring device of some kind to see if the bullet ever gets above or below the line of sight.
Also, it does not really have as much to do with what you said about the lack of popularity of the 45/70, as it does about the ranges deer are shot at here in Texas.
As you admitted yourself, that probably 80% of the deer in Texas are shot ranges of 150 yards or less, which at those ranges a 45/70 is more than adequate.
The point is, you made a statement about WHY a certain caliber is not popular, apparently based on the belief that because people can see along ways west and south of the MetroMess, a certain cartridge and the rifles chambered for it is not popular.
If that was really the case, why isn't everyone running out and buying 338 Lapua's, care to explain that one.
Again, at no point did I say ANYTHING about me being right.
Your statement above is the pot calling the kettle black.
I listed plenty of reasons why the 45/70 is not popular and I left out ones such as lots of folks are wanting to kill deer with guns that the entire cartridge weighs less than the bullet from a 45/70.
We can continue this till everyone is mad at me for picking on you, or, as adults, or at least an adult in your case, I am a 5 year old, and let the subject drop by saying that there are many reasons why the 45/70 is not a popular round and the trajectory of factory loaded ammunition is one of those reasons.
Jump on it, cause that is the best your going to get out of me tonight. 
Last edited by crazyhorseconsulting; 11/25/07 11:06 PM.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#253719
11/25/07 11:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,830
JCB
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Alright, I will touch on a few things here and then I will let it die(at least for now anyway). People dont like the 264 because it got a bad rap as a barrel burner. People dont use the 220 swift because a large part of the hunting crowd considers it to light for deer. People dont use the 338 Lapua due to the lack of rifles chambered for it, the cost of ammo, and the cost of a gun chambered for it. People like to use those "guns that the entire cartridge weighs less than the bullet from a 45-70" because when bullets weigh as much as those of the 45-70 then the trajectory tends to look like a rainbow. Heck since trajectory realy does not matter then why dont we just all go back to using 30-30's or 45-70's?  Or better yet lets do away with all the new ballistic tips, boat tails, and all other bullets that are made to make our guns shoot flatter and go back to the flat nose and round nose bullets like that of the 45-70. I wonder why Honaday felt the need to improve the trajectory of the 45-70 and other lever rounds with the new Levereveloution bullets. They must be on to something with this trajectory thing.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: JCB]
#253720
11/26/07 12:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,474
Crazyhorse
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People got away from the 45/70 for the same reason that went from muzzle loaders to guns firing metallic cartridges, and why Indians went from bows and arrows to firearms.
As I tried to get across to you, trajectory has nothing to do with it, when the majority of deer in Texas are killed at 150 yards or less, much less in many cases.
You keep trying to tell me that I think I am right and you are wrong on the issue of trajectory, and I keep right on telling you that trajectory is not the issue.
Go back to my original response to you, the issue is your statement about how so much shooting is done at ranges over 200 yards and because of the trajectory the 45/70 is not popular.
It is that statement about shooting deer over 200 yards being the norm.
I maintain it is not the norm, but usually it is the exception.
If you are in agreement that the majority of deer in Texas are shot at ranges of 150 yards or less, and that a 45/70 is more than adequate to take deer proficiently at that range, then, trajectory has little or nothing to do with its lack of popularity, especially when compared to the type of rifles it is offered in.
You can keep trying to jerk this around any way you want, the fact remains, the majority of deer are killed at 150 yards or less, and long range shots on deer, 200 yards and up are, while they are taken and made, are not the normal shots for the majority of hunters in Texas.
To take this little mess on a completely other route, how can "Many People" feel that the 220 swift is too light for deer, shooting a 60 or 70 grain bullet of 224 diameter, and find a 22-250/223/222 shooting a 50 to 60 grain bullet just right. Care to expand on that theory?????
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#253721
11/26/07 12:40 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,830
JCB
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Quote:
To take this little mess on a completely other route, how can "Many People" feel that the 220 swift is too light for deer, shooting a 60 or 70 grain bullet of 224 diameter, and find a 22-250/223/222 shooting a 50 to 60 grain bullet just right. Care to expand on that theory?????
No I cant explain that theory because I find that most hunters feel that the 243 is the minimum when it comes to deer hunting.
I dont feel any of those cartridges are good deer rounds and dont know hardly any one that uses them for deer hunting on a regular basis. Yes they will get the job done but I dont personaly know any one that feels they are "just right".
I know there are some on this forum that use them as a primary deer round, but they are way out numbered by those that feel they are too light for deer so I am not sure why you would ask that question.
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Re: 45-70
[Re: Crazyhorse]
#253722
11/26/07 12:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,830
JCB
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Dang!! I almost forgot. I never said that shooting deer at 200 yards was the "norm". I said that your shots "MAY EXCEED" 200 yards and in that case the 45-70 is not a good choice. Sure, most shots are much less than that, but a lot of people dont want to be sitting there with a 45-70 when that buck of a life time steps out there at 200+ yards when they could be sitting there with a 270 or 7 Mag that is more than up to the job if the shooter does his part. Trajectory has every thing to do with it!
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