I would like to purchase a lever action 45/70. Is this enough gun for hogs and whitetail. Or is it to much. I am hunting in the hill country and south of San Antonio, Most of my shots are 100 yards and less.

Any other information would be helpful.

Thanks.

Ballistics are about like a good 20 gauge slug gun. So inside of 150 yards it should work very well. They punish on both ends.

BTW Hornady is bringing out some new pointed shells (Leverevolution) that are ballistically better than anything previous. They should be out before next deer season.

Some will say I'm a wuss. Some will say it's the perfect cartridge.

I have a newer Winchester 1886 Lightweight that I took to the range ONCE with heavy handloads. I fired 20 rounds and have not had it out of the safe since. It just plain hurt. A Marlin might handle the recoil better - I have never fired one. Factory rounds might not be as painful, but I have never tried them.

If your shots are going to be within 100 yards, and you like lever actions - why not just go with a 30-30. Cheaper rifle and cheaper ammo. I have carried a 30-30 with me several times while hunting on my lease, and I never felt under-gunned. I personally prefer the 170 grain loads, but some will differ with that. There are probably some factory rounds loaded with Nosler Partitions, if you're going after big hogs.

I have one. I just shoot 300 grain handloads. They are more than enough gun. I sure dont like 405 grain bullets!It hits to hard on both ends.If you reload you can take it down to a very comfortable level.I have used a 16 ga. shotgun with slugs and it doesnt even come close to a 45 70.I wouldn t take for mine!

I may have to try loading down instead of loading up. I also think I need to have a recoil pad installed. I just hate to have a gunsmith cut up that pretty stock.

The .45-70 could be called too much gun by some people. I'd say mostly by those that haven't tried it!! Those big slugs will let ALL the air out of whatever you shoot and not tear up meat at the same time. The secret is that the bullets are moving slow. They transfer huge amounts of energy and leave nice bloodtrails if tracking ever has to be done. So far everything I've shot has been DRT (dead right there) with mine. When I used to use factory 350gr loads in my Marlin the recoil was minimal, in fact less than my 7mag. My barrel is ported, but I've also shot factory loads from another Marlin that wasn't ported and it's not bad at all. However, once you move into the 'more power' category, you will find that it's a thumper on both ends! I shoot 405gr bullets at about .450Marlin performance levels and even with the muzzle brake you know when you pull THAT trigger!

The .30-30 is an effective round, and has accounted for many venison dinners, but I just LOVE my .45-70 because there's not a pig built that can stand up to it!

Mine is a marlin , with a scope. the extra weight helps, in any case it is not a bench gun.A load of 27 gr of 4198 with a wad and 300 grain cast bullet is nice. It will shot clear through a deer. Havent tried it on hogs.A 300 gr H/P and 50 gr of RL 7 or 3031 will sure do a job on either.

I have a 1895G (45-70 Guide Gun), 1895MR (450 Marlin), 444T, and 444P. They are all great Texas whitetail and hog guns. The factory ammo for the 45-70 is loaded to the SAAMI spec of 28K so there isn't much to it unless you go with some of the custom ammo or handload. It should be adequate for close range hunting. It is also a disappointment that Hornady is going to load the new ammo to the same spec. They should load it up with a disclaimer that it is only to be used in Marlin XLR rifles...

Cast bullets are my choice for the rifles. 285-grain bullets for the 444s and 425-grain bullets for the 45s.


Marlin... the only rifle I hunt with!

Ranch Dog,

At least we know you're not biased towards Marlin and willing to give Winchester a fair shot!

Does your 86, have a cresent butt plate or a shotgun style butt. I talked to several folks about the 86's when they came out, and all of them said that those things were not pleasurable to shoot because of that old cresent-style stock. I had one of the 1895 Marlins when they brought them out in the early 1980's and with the shotgun style butt it wasn't real bad. All 45/70's have enough recoil to let anyone shooting them will get punishing. JMO

I was trying to decide between a Marlin .444 and a 45/70. I decided on the 45/70.

I was hoping Santa would bring it for me. It was not under the tree. I will have to go look for one.

Thanks for your help.

Merry Christmas

-Duckfoot

See if you can find 2 while your looking Santa brought me my new 835 turkey gun but left out the 45/70 Merry Christmas

CHC,

Mine has a straight steel buttplate. It's one of the newer ones.

Then unless you are willing to have a shotgun style recoil pad installed, you are going to have to live with the recoil.

Just a grabbing at straws thought here, but since you work with lever guns more than I do, but doesn't the butt stock on the Marlins, come back straighter, than on the Winchesters. Or in maybe easier to decipher terms, when looking at the two brands from the sides, there is more drop at the heel of the stock on the Winchesters than on the Marlins. This may not make a difference or be the case, but it seems like I remember that the more drop at the heel, from the center-line of the bore causes the rifle to muzzle jump more when fired than a gun with a higher comb/less drop at heel, which tends to cause the rifle to recoil more back than up.

I believe you are right about how recoil is felt through a stock... another reason to favor the Marlin's.