.45-70 for Deer (England)?
- Thread starter C h r i s
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stalker.308
Well-Known Member
I have (had, I'm mid-variation now having not actually bought one... ) 45-70 conditioned for deer, in West Mercia. I wanted a lever action that would be an easier carry/point in the woods. I still have a slot for a 44 magnum which I will eventually buy in a lever action, but I decided a break-action Bergara would be a better tool for the woods due to the ability to moderate it (whilst still keeping it short overall) and widespread availability of factory ammo in more standard calibres.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
No reason not to use a 45-70 on deer. It is seen as a “big” cartridge by some, but it’s muzzle energy is anywhere from 1500 ft lbs up to a bit over 3,000 ft lbs depending on its load - ie pretty much the same as the vast majority of deer legal cartridges.
What it is not is an equivalent to big game cartridges such as the 458 lott or win mag or the 450 nitro expresses. Those are all exceeding 4,000 ft lbs and in some cases exceeding 5,000 ft lbs.
Most 45-70s are in lever actions. Once well worn in they can be a delight to use. But they can also be kind of hard and clanky. I have played with a 45-70 in lever action in Germany - just found it a bit heavy and a nice little svelte rifle that I thought it would be.
Rifles are very much a personal thing and some will like them for walk around use. Personally I would probably err towards the 30-30 as a nice walk about gun.
What it is not is an equivalent to big game cartridges such as the 458 lott or win mag or the 450 nitro expresses. Those are all exceeding 4,000 ft lbs and in some cases exceeding 5,000 ft lbs.
Most 45-70s are in lever actions. Once well worn in they can be a delight to use. But they can also be kind of hard and clanky. I have played with a 45-70 in lever action in Germany - just found it a bit heavy and a nice little svelte rifle that I thought it would be.
Rifles are very much a personal thing and some will like them for walk around use. Personally I would probably err towards the 30-30 as a nice walk about gun.
45-70 are used on indoor 50 yard ranges within the UK , The Spanish created big Issues for The Americans because they could shoot accurately at considerably longer ranges with their Mauser bolt action rifles than the Americans could with their 45-70 issued .
The fact the FEO doesn't know what they are dealing with makes a mockery of the system . Oh btw the 45-70 has its uses but its very noisy and gives the user a big old wallop and tries to blow your ears out and Factory ammo is expensive and hunting specific rounds are not on most gunshop shelves , Bullets for reloading also expensive as is the large amount of powder . Fun but not really very practical for most hunting situations in the UK .
375 in some ways is more practical than the 40-70 imo
C h r i s
Well-Known Member
If you think 45-70 components are expensive you should see my other rifles
"YOLO" as some say
Morkai
Well-Known Member
S&B off the shelf, 405g solid lead, £2 a pop, fine for hunting.
The felt kick is no harder than my 12 bore shotgun.
That, coupled with the announcement of the Ruger-made marlin 1894 SBL in 44mag, is why I never filled my 45-70 slot. Had to go with my head rather than my heart.
If I win the lottery and find myself suddenly able to afford to hunt in the true wilderness, I'll put in another variation
south-nofolk-stalker
Well-Known Member
I had a 45/70 as a tracking rifle, but realistically was too much gun so got a 30-30 now that Is a round that is more than capable
Yeah folks need to put a few rounds down them , then give them back ! Lots of really clean Second hand ones though with low round counts LOLIf you think 45-70 components are expensive you should see my other rifles
As has been pointed to, HO Guidelines specifically mention 45-70 as good to go.
My only stalking rifle is a 45-120, because I wanted large deer legal with BP.
A 45-70 is perfectly suitable in the UK, not high recoil in all but the silliest rifles and loads, not expensive to run for normal use, and is available in very handy rifles. Lovely choice there chap.
My only stalking rifle is a 45-120, because I wanted large deer legal with BP.
A 45-70 is perfectly suitable in the UK, not high recoil in all but the silliest rifles and loads, not expensive to run for normal use, and is available in very handy rifles. Lovely choice there chap.
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reiver
Well-Known Member
Lucky if some of the 45-70 owners have fired two magazine tubes of Ammo through there rifle before moving them on
and on
" foster guns " eh ? I think that's the way most goLucky if some of the 45-70 owners have fired two magazine tubes of Ammo through there rifle before moving them on
tackb
Well-Known Member
Nonsense
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Funny how folk reason on things.
They'll shoot heavy 12g super dooper steel loads and tell everyone how wonderful they are to use then make out your gonna need shoulder surgery if you use a 45/70!
Thats because the idiot/s doesn't shoot his 12g at a bench!
Shoot the 45/70 off sticks or a tripod or what have you and you'll be fine.
If one must shoot it bench rest style stuff a newspaper in your jacket. Then the tenth shot will feel like first.
They'll shoot heavy 12g super dooper steel loads and tell everyone how wonderful they are to use then make out your gonna need shoulder surgery if you use a 45/70!
Thats because the idiot/s doesn't shoot his 12g at a bench!
Shoot the 45/70 off sticks or a tripod or what have you and you'll be fine.
If one must shoot it bench rest style stuff a newspaper in your jacket. Then the tenth shot will feel like first.
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