For the short attention spans: is a 45-70 pushing a 300gr JHP around 1700fps going to pack enough punch for hog? How about deer? I got a bunch of components for free so if loading the same bullet hotter would help I can try that after the season.


Longer version: Dad’s slowing down, and last season may have been his last trip out unless the grandkids fall hard for it. So he sent me his Marlin 1895 (of relatively new manufacture) and a box of handloads to the spec above. He was probably looking for a mix of old school cool factor with a not-punishing shot.

Anyway, I just about passed out when I saw the price of factory 45-70 at the range and I had limited time to sight in my regular guns too, so I shot half the box of handloads and found they grouped pretty sweetly and the recoil was less than factory 30-30. Of course my main concern is a humane harvest, but deer’s started up and I want to go after hogs as well so I’ve gotta choose now between the 45-70 and factory 30-30.

Thoughts welcome.

It’ll stomp a mud hole in them if you keep your range reasonable. I shoot a 300g hard cast bullet at 1600 and it has killed several pigs including one large boar. That’s a 45 Colt not a 45-70 so it’s .452 instead of .458. I don’t think the pig noticed.

My brother shoots a reduced load in his 450 Marlin (almost same as 45-70) with a 350 grain bullet. It HAMMERS stuff. So yes, the 45-70 is PLENTY of gun.

Oh yeah its plenty.

Like others have said plenty.

How many buffalo died to the old 45-70 at less than 1400fps with a 405gr bullet?

All day and night long, 45/70 is my side by side rig and it’s killed plenty of deer and pigs when you keep the range within reason.

Just for entertainment, when going out deer hunting this morning, I picked up my Sharps Officers carbine in 45/70 and decided it would be the rifle for today. I load a light load for it and my trapdoors, as I have several of them. I had ammo loaded with a hard cast 405 bullet, and figured it should do the job. I got a shot at a doe at about 30 yards and had to track her for about 50 yards afterward. There was no blood found to aid in tracking, and I noticed the holes in her when cleaning her out. There was a hole that looked about 1/2 inch in diameter on both sides of her as the bullet when through both lungs and exited just fine.
When considering a hunting bullet, performance characteristics can make a big difference....but bullet placement is also a big factor.

For hard lead bullets I like the way Ranchdog designed a lot of bullets, with a big flat meplat, rips things doing more damage then the round nose of smaller flat points, but 50 yards is what I have seen several times from a 45-70, a lot of energy goes out the other side of the critter, hit bone though and they do get broken very well.

45/70 makes a fantastic deer rifle inside of 150 yards...so does a 30/30. IME 45/70 is the better choice, but I would carry either with confidence.

Trapdoor level .45-70 loads (405 grain cast at 1350 fps) killed more Bison in the 1800s than anything else.

If it will kill a Bison, it will kill a hog. Flat points and good shot placement make the animals die faster and closer to you.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I was using flat point cast bullets yesterday, and while it made neat little holes on both sides of the deer...it sure didn't show a lot of damage going through. I have shot hogs with the same cartridge with success, but I always shoot the hogs directly in the middle of the front leg whenever possible to break bones and do more damage. I have always been fond of the 45/70's and had a lot of fun with them....both with black powder and smokeless, and I'll continue to enjoy shooting them.
In a couple hours, I'll be heading out deer hunting again...but this morning I will be using a Marlin in 38/55, just to change up things a little. I just love all the old cartridges.

Thanks so much for the opinions, all. I really was concerned and believe that even the unruly root-routers deserve the kindness of a quick departure.



Stony, you and I are kindred spirits. I like modern stuff for doing paper pew pews, but old hunting guns are the best. My 11th or 12th birthday granddad gave me a 6.5 Swedish Krag with Lyman peep sight. Dad and I spent that summer working up a hand load that’d shoot passably well.. great memories.

I run mainly 300 and 350 gr bullets out of mine and the loads are light to moderate. Shot a ton of hogs and deer. Never had any take more than a few steps. Lots of damage and blood.
I shot a 140lb sow a few years back at 130 yards, rear center shoulder hit. She dropped in her tracks. the energy from the bullet is crazy. i want a ruger #1 in 45-70 with a 26" barrel, donk know why but 405-500 gr bullets at 1900-2200 fps with 4k+ of muzzle energy sounds awesome to me. not to my shoulder though.

I shoot a 250 grain at about the same velocity out of my muzzleloader. Have killed more deer and hogs with that combo than I have centerfire rounds. Your load should be good to 125-150 yards easy.

I load a trapdoor safe load 405gr laser cast on about 40.2 grains of Varget, shoots a clover leaf group at 100 yards. Everything I ever shot with it never took a single step.

How far do you want to blow through them?

Took the 38/55 out yesterday morning, and nailed this guy by about 8:30. Complete passthrough using a 220 grain bullet.