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Went to the range today to make sure my .35 Rem was zeroed for MA bear season tomorrow and after a couple clicks it was dead nuts out to 100 yards which is plenty for here. Next to me was a guy who was sighting in his new 45/70 for a Maine guided bear hunt. He has his target at 25 yards which is fine for a baited hunt in Maine. This guy was all over the target and blamed it on his ammo padded check pad moving. He also was sighting in with just one kind of ammo for the trip being Underwood Penetrators. Now maybe I’m wrong but a 25 yard shot on a small black bear requires solid penetrators from a 45/70? Am I wrong in saying that a bullet that dumps energy quick would be better? This guy is concerned about penetration from a 45/70! I’m using Hornady 200 grain in my .35 Rem and banging bulls at 100 no problem. He is probably thinking my round is too small. Love the bigger is better crowd. I think I figured out his accuracy problem FLINCHING.
Forgot to mention he was with his buddy who was helping him sight in at 25 yards with yes a spotting scope. He leaves the range with either a less then sighted scope and/or no solution to his accuracy problem at 25 yards.
He said he wanted a pass through so he bought that ammo. A soft bullet out of a 45/70 at 25 yards would do it. I have nothing against big calibers as long as someone can handle it. I like being accurate with my smaller calibers and should have no issues with them.
Here is my latest. About 85% complete. .58 cal early pre-Revolution era longrifle. Building it with elk in mind, it should be great for everything from blacktails to moose. 44" Rice match grade swamped barrel.
I’m thinking about getting a 45-70 lever gun..... Winchester or Henry.... Not because I need one..... because I want one....
I had the low budget NEF Buffalo hunter in 45-70. Sort of their try at a Sharps.
Killed several critters with it.
I know what you mean, BB. I bought one at our local RMEF banquet a few years ago and I have yet to foul the bore! I just wanted a lever action and this one, IMO, is a beauty.
Back to the original post, you can get away with a lot hunting over bait at 25 yards. Probably not an optimal bullet and sounds like some pretty terrible shooting - and it might not matter.
I don’t think it would matter what bullet you used out of a 45-70....... but I’m not a ballistics guy....
This is the gun I’m thinking of getting.... but I don’t like that Winchester is made in Japan now..... still a quality gun..... about $1,500
I don’t think bigger is better I just enjoy shooting the bigger guns !! Shotgun training can be brutal with slugs but it’s a blast !!
Henry makes a nice 45/70 and if you go Marlin try and locate a pre Remington Marlin.
I have a .35 Whelen in a Remington autoloader if I ever have to give up the bow.
"Forgot to mention he was with his buddy who was helping him sight in at 25 yards with yes a spotting scope. He leaves the range with either a less then sighted scope and/or no solution to his accuracy problem at 25 yards."
Rifle was most likely made by Remington. Right now their quality control is in the crapper big time.
Henry 45-70 is my second choice. I like that they’re made in the USA,,, But I don’t like that they load from the tube like a .22
BB Look at Cimmeron arms They make some really great reproductions
Three years ago I bit the bullet and bought an original Sharps 45-100 or 45 7/8 rifle Would never say what I paid for it because someone would lock me up AWESOME GUN
Having been an outfitter for over 30 years I am a bigger IS better IF you can handle it. I don't need anymore tracking practice
OK I will but the cost of the Winchester is stretching it for me...... :-)
B.B. Then buy the Winchester Great gun for sure!
I have a Marlin side eject model.Good stuff!
The Japanese made Winchester lever guns are WAY higher quality in fit and finish than anything Winchester itself has built since the '60's! Beautiful rifles......and yes SPENDY! I shoot a model 1886 in 45/70 when I go to big bore stuff.
That’s what I’ve been told by a few cowboy action shooters SB..... The Henry’s don’t stand up to the rigors of cowboy action compared to Winchester’s either....
Marlins are cool... but I’m looking for that old west feel..... and don’t plan on putting a scope on it.
I've been looking at uberti rifles. Still not sure model or caliber yet. Beautiful rifles. I have one of their pistols in 45 Colt that shoots brilliantly, and sturdy as a rock.
Back to original post, I too was at the range yesterday with my son. Shooting rifles in preparation for upcoming moose/ bear hunt. Guy next to us with a bloody nose shooting a 340 WBY for elk hunt. He was all over the paper at 100 yds. I'm drop dead positive his guide would rather him shoot a 270 more accurately than a 340 that he is afraid of.
Tracking a wounded elk in no picnic. Those animals deserve more respect.
I have a Winchester lever gun that is .35 cal. I used soft point bullets that killed deer but I haven't shot it in years. It is in very good condition. My father told me I could load it on Monday and shoot it all week. It has peep sights on it. My cousin bought a 45/70 Henry but I haven't shot it yet.
I see this a lot. I guide deer hunters and see guys bring their 12 year old son shooting a .338. They can’t figure out why he’s missing, he was shooting great out of a lead sled.... I’ve also had hunters foul their gun, run out of bullets, you name it. I will offer them my .22-250 as it’s the only rifle I own. I just tell them place it in the neck and the deer won’t take a step. They always refuse and find someone to offer them a cannon. SMH
The best thing is to take their gun and tell them you loaded it to shoot another round and watch them flinch like crazy. Lol
JTV, if I could get any Marlin caliber it would be the .444 something neat about that round.
It’s funny how in the past I could have found any Make and caliber but wasn’t interested in them at the time and now that I want one they are nowhere to be found. Another interesting caliber is the .338 Marlin Express. It’s like a 30/06 in a lever gun. I guess that one did not take off too well.
Spike nope it did not take off??
Spike nope it did not take off??
Ace's Link
Henry has a new Lever gun called the Long Ranger, it has a detachable box magazine (making the use of pointed ammo safe) and it comes in .223/5.56, .243, and , .308
Looks pretty sweet. Comes with or without sights.
Henry sure is advertising heavily..... Good on them for building them in the U.SA.
Anthony Imperato seems like a stand up guy who stands behind his products.
RK, I believe Remington dropped that and the 308MX. Shame.
RK, I believe Remington dropped that and the 308MX. Shame.