Jayofdeath89
Member
Just wondering if any or many use the 45/70 for stalking if so how do you find it average range is 15/130y shots on roe
45/70 for stalking
- Thread starter Jayofdeath89
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I have killed small and miserably large animals with 45-70: Rabbits to bison. Punch a large enough hole in something and it dies. The kind of rifle and load you use might be a factor with drop but 15 to 130 yards is right on pace with a 300 grain bullet through any kind of weapon; from Trapdoor Springfield to Marlin to Ruger #1 or Mauser.(My favorite) ~Muir
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
Drop stalker308 a PM . He has my old Marlin 1895 and uses it regularly in Wales . I'm not sure if he's taken any Roe with it , but I'm sure it will work just fine . Like Muir , I've used a 45/70 in one form or another for over 40 years , on game as small as White - Tail does to 1400 pound Moose . It is a very reliable killer .
AB
AB
Low recoil and a big slow bullet is always going to be a recipe for success, plus can go quite hot with loads if you fancy. Factory ammo isn't very common but is out there, reloading though is the way ahead.
Drop is more than a normal UK stalking cartridge but easily learnable for the ranges you mention.
Everyone should have a big bore.
Drop is more than a normal UK stalking cartridge but easily learnable for the ranges you mention.
Everyone should have a big bore.
I used to know a guy who consistently shot 45/70 out to 300, accurately on Sealand ranges, I could never tease the load info out of him for mine.
I use a Marlin as well. Ideally best as a high seat rifle for up to 100m but I am sure it will be good at longer ranges. So far using 300 gn Winchester silvertips( they are black coloured with a small squishy ball in the nose to make them safe in the tubular magazine. Also Sellier &Bellot 405 gn soft points which shoot well. Not much lock with lead cast at the moment though. Shot a Sika with it, not much meat damage
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
I shot one some years ago in the US - loved it!
Just looked it up - trundling along at c.1,700 fps that old girl still generates about 2,200 ft lbs of energy against a .243‘s paltry c.1,950 ft lbs soooo something like a roe will need a kevlar overcoat or reactive exploding armour or possibly both to save it.
Just looked it up - trundling along at c.1,700 fps that old girl still generates about 2,200 ft lbs of energy against a .243‘s paltry c.1,950 ft lbs soooo something like a roe will need a kevlar overcoat or reactive exploding armour or possibly both to save it.
Cheshire had to be pointed toward the modern nitro loads to allow it for deer.
Jayofdeath89
Member
Cheers guys reloading isn’t a problem I reload for everything any way what sort of group size is everyone getting around a 1” or under I think it would be a cool light weight rifle I currently use my match rifle if I can’t be Arse to change the barrel over from 6br to 6.( creedmoor but the br is better on roe than the creed just a little heavy at 26lbs
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
My current rifle , a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun , will shoot around one MOA , as would my previous 1895 . I also have a Ruger No3 single shot that has been modified a bit , a No 1 stock and a Moyers trigger . It consistently shoots under one MOA with loads it likes , not that it's that fussy to load for . They both have low power fixed scopes on them , 2.5 X and 3 X leupolds respectively . One of the things I've noticed about 45/70s over the years , it's very easy to find accurate loads for .
A light weight rifle is a handy thing , but a rifle like that chambered in 45/70 can get very snappy . It's the reason I installed a No 1 stock on my Ruger . It added some weight and made it far more controllable . The straight gripped No 3 stock will pound you , even with middle of the road loads with 400 gr and up bullets .
The Bergara stainless take down single shot , it's branded CVA over here , would probably be a good choice for you . It is stainless and has a synthetic stock , so a good choice for UK weather . They're inexpensive , accurate and have great triggers , I've shot a few of them and was surprised at how good the triggers are . They're threaded for a moderator ( illegal here ) but come with a factory installed muzzle break ................ I think I just convinced myself to buy one .
AB
A light weight rifle is a handy thing , but a rifle like that chambered in 45/70 can get very snappy . It's the reason I installed a No 1 stock on my Ruger . It added some weight and made it far more controllable . The straight gripped No 3 stock will pound you , even with middle of the road loads with 400 gr and up bullets .
The Bergara stainless take down single shot , it's branded CVA over here , would probably be a good choice for you . It is stainless and has a synthetic stock , so a good choice for UK weather . They're inexpensive , accurate and have great triggers , I've shot a few of them and was surprised at how good the triggers are . They're threaded for a moderator ( illegal here ) but come with a factory installed muzzle break ................ I think I just convinced myself to buy one .
AB
Jayofdeath89
Member
Thank you for that advice me and begara had a big fall out I wouldn’t give them any of my money every again love the tactical looking Henry one
xavierdoc
Well-Known Member
I'm on my third 45-70, a Marlin GSBL. Prior to that I had a Ruger No. 1 and before that a Marlin Cowboy Ltd (octagonal barrel).
The GSBL is a good woodland/lowland Stalking rifle (short, stainless, matt black coating.)
45-70s kill just fine but it really is important to know your drops. Certainly accurate enough for taking deer at the distances you describe. I started out loading hot, jacketed loads before realising you don't need 4000ftlbs to drop UK quarry. Accordingly, I've dropped my cast 460gr load right down and, unsurprisingly, have never had to take a second shot. Be aware that there are three "levels" of load data for 45-70.
This was my GSBL's best 110yd group:
1-1.5 moa is more typical in my hands (cast 460gr bullet)
In most rifles I shoot 5 shot groups but I had noticed a degree of thermal drift (shooter fatigue?!) after more than 3 shots so stuck to that.
It will still hold 1.5moa for seven shot group but getting toasty:
Anyway, if you can't kill it with 3 hits from a 45-70 you've picked the wrong fight!
Obviously in the UK we don't have large or dangerous game and so you aren't going to be undergunned, especially for Roe!
I've had a lot of fun pointlessly-pimping (ruining) my Marlin:
(yes that's an 18.5" barrel)
Some 45-70 memories:
As you can probably tell, I'm quite keen on it, despite all its limitations.
The GSBL is a good woodland/lowland Stalking rifle (short, stainless, matt black coating.)
45-70s kill just fine but it really is important to know your drops. Certainly accurate enough for taking deer at the distances you describe. I started out loading hot, jacketed loads before realising you don't need 4000ftlbs to drop UK quarry. Accordingly, I've dropped my cast 460gr load right down and, unsurprisingly, have never had to take a second shot. Be aware that there are three "levels" of load data for 45-70.
This was my GSBL's best 110yd group:
1-1.5 moa is more typical in my hands (cast 460gr bullet)
In most rifles I shoot 5 shot groups but I had noticed a degree of thermal drift (shooter fatigue?!) after more than 3 shots so stuck to that.
It will still hold 1.5moa for seven shot group but getting toasty:
Anyway, if you can't kill it with 3 hits from a 45-70 you've picked the wrong fight!
Obviously in the UK we don't have large or dangerous game and so you aren't going to be undergunned, especially for Roe!
I've had a lot of fun pointlessly-pimping (ruining) my Marlin:
(yes that's an 18.5" barrel)
Some 45-70 memories:
As you can probably tell, I'm quite keen on it, despite all its limitations.
xavierdoc
Well-Known Member
Don't show them the Barnes 45-70 data for Ruger No.1s, might swing them the other way!
250gr at 2816fps is just over 4400ftlb ME
300gr at 2588fps is 4462ftlb ME
Enough for deer?!
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
The Henry is a very nice rifle , everyone I know that has one has nothing but good things to say about them . I have heard of problems with the earlier CVA ( Begara ) rifles . By all accounts , they have improved things with the newer models , but I do understand your reluctance . Henry also makes a nice single shot chambered in 45/70 if your looking for something lighter and " pointy " . By the way , I'm a bit of a single shot freak lol .
AB
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
I got a bruise on my shoulder just reading this lol . You're right though , in a strong action , the 45/70 can be loaded to impressive levels .Don't show them the Barnes 45-70 data for Ruger No.1s, might swing them the other way!
250gr at 2816fps is just over 4400ftlb ME
300gr at 2588fps is 4462ftlb ME
Enough for deer?!
AB
Jayofdeath89
Member
I'm on my third 45-70, a Marlin GSBL. Prior to that I had a Ruger No. 1 and before that a Marlin Cowboy Ltd (octagonal barrel).
The GSBL is a good woodland/lowland Stalking rifle (short, stainless, matt black coating.)
45-70s kill just fine but it really is important to know your drops. Certainly accurate enough for taking deer at the distances you describe. I started out loading hot, jacketed loads before realising you don't need 4000ftlbs to drop UK quarry. Accordingly, I've dropped my cast 460gr load right down and, unsurprisingly, have never had to take a second shot. Be aware that there are three "levels" of load data for 45-70.
This was my GSBL's best 110yd group:
1-1.5 moa is more typical in my hands (cast 460gr bullet)
In most rifles I shoot 5 shot groups but I had noticed a degree of thermal drift (shooter fatigue?!) after more than 3 shots so stuck to that.
It will still hold 1.5moa for seven shot group but getting toasty:
Anyway, if you can't kill it with 3 hits from a 45-70 you've picked the wrong fight!
Obviously in the UK we don't have large or dangerous game and so you aren't going to be undergunned, especially for Roe!
I've had a lot of fun pointlessly-pimping (ruining) my Marlin:
(yes that's an 18.5" barrel)
Some 45-70 memories:
As you can probably tell, I'm quite keen on it, despite all its limitations.
This is 1000% what I need
I like the .45-70 as a cartridge. Not shot deer with it though, it's one of the few rifles I've had that I had for deer, wanted yet another deer rifle and had to change the use to range to justify the numbers before I'd killed anything with it! Frustrating, I'll get it swapped back at some point.
Mine is an old JM stamped Marlin 1895 that has seen extensive work. I think it was made before Marlin offered the shorter guns that it does now, so the original owner had it adapted to his needs. It's really short, really light, and really lively with a cast 500gr bullet!
Mine is an old JM stamped Marlin 1895 that has seen extensive work. I think it was made before Marlin offered the shorter guns that it does now, so the original owner had it adapted to his needs. It's really short, really light, and really lively with a cast 500gr bullet!
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