45/70 for stalking

[Smellydog]

First Roe doe of the season:

Took the Cyber-punk 45-70 Marlin GSBL and grassed a tasty deer (and a fox for good measure.)

First sight of the Roe:



Need to get closer:





Stalked in to 75m:



Watched this male while I waited for a chance to move on the doe:



Job done; she dropped where she stood:



My 45-70 load: 460gr Mjöllnir cast bullet:





It didn't even rain!

I bet you can eat right up to the hole too

 

[xavierdoc]

Looks good job. What bullet are you using? I’ve just joined the "45/70" stalking club. My intention is short range woodland stalking.

I'm using a cast 460gr bullet I "designed" called "Mjöllnir". Mold was made by Mountain Molds. It's a gas checked base and I cast it at around BHN 10-12 for this application.





All lubed-up and ready to play:



I did make some 300gr hollow-points, powder-coated, for higher velocity and "flatter trajectory" but they were a bit... unnecessary!

 

[Smellydog]

I'm using a cast 460gr bullet I "designed" called "Mjöllnir". Mold was made by Mountain Molds. It's a gas checked base and I cast it at around BHN 10-12 for this application.





All lubed-up and ready to play:



I did make some 300gr hollow-points, powder-coated and gas-checked, for higher velocity and "flatter trajectory" but they were a bit... unnecessary!

Which lube do you use?

 

[xavierdoc]

Which lube do you use?

From memory, it's a Lyman moly lube, sold in tubes for the Lubrisizer.

 

[Morkai]

Does anyone use a 357 lever action for deer?

 

[xavierdoc]

I bet you can eat right up to the hole too

The tail gets in the way

 

[8x57]

Does anyone use a 357 lever action for deer?

Would only be suitable for the smaller deer because you wouldn't be able to achieve the 1700 ft/lb requirement for the larger species.

 

[Morkai]

Would only be suitable for the smaller deer because you wouldn't be able to achieve the 1700 ft/lb requirement for the larger species.

Thank you, just found the older thread on the 357 topic.

 

[tarponhead]

I sold my .223 on here today and want to replace it with a .308 for woodland stalking - now I want a 45-70! Very good-looking gun... and a nice deer

 

[xavierdoc]

I sold my .223 on here today and want to replace it with a .308 for woodland stalking - now I want a 45-70! Very good-looking gun... and a nice deer

As much as I love the 45-70, it's heart-not-head decision to use it (in the UK)

 

[tarponhead]

Agreed. .308 all day long, as I have a long barrelled 6.5x55 already, which is why I want a short barrelled .308. I prefer to carry muzzle down and want to take the odd close-range shot - but be Boar-capable as well. I did consider 30-06, but there's loads on that choice on here so I won't add to it. (Risk of a spanking by Muir and other luminaries...).

 

[Smellydog]

Would only be suitable for the smaller deer because you wouldn't be able to achieve the 1700 ft/lb requirement for the larger species.

The deer won't mind.....

 

[alberta boy]

I'm using a cast 460gr bullet I "designed" called "Mjöllnir". Mold was made by Mountain Molds. It's a gas checked base and I cast it at around BHN 10-12 for this application.





All lubed-up and ready to play:



I did make some 300gr hollow-points, powder-coated, for higher velocity and "flatter trajectory" but they were a bit... unnecessary!

I may have to try those 460 gr bullets , just the thing for Moose . You may have posted it earlier , but how fast are you loading them ?

AB

 

[xavierdoc]

I may have to try those 460 gr bullets , just the thing for Moose . You may have posted it earlier , but how fast are you loading them ?

AB

This load is only 1400fps (just under.) Could be a fair bit higher but it's just not needed in UK.

 

[alberta boy]

This load is only 1400fps (just under.) Could be a fair bit higher but it's just not needed in UK.

That would do for most things here as well . I've shot bears with 405 gr lead bullets at original black powder velocities . They didn't go far .

AB

 

[harrygrey382]

I'm using a cast 460gr bullet I "designed" called "Mjöllnir". Mold was made by Mountain Molds. It's a gas checked base and I cast it at around BHN 10-12 for this application.





All lubed-up and ready to play:



I did make some 300gr hollow-points, powder-coated, for higher velocity and "flatter trajectory" but they were a bit... unnecessary!

That “Mjollnir” is a sexy beast - travelling at 1400 would be fairly respectable… what sort of pressure do you reckon it is?

I reckon 45-70 is an excellent stalking round, you really have to do the “stalking” bit though… personally I find it’s great when paired with iron sights as the trajectory dictates (for me at least) sub ~130m shots which I’m comfortable with using a good receiver peep on. Here’s my JM 1895SS sporting an original steel Lyman 66

 

[Greener Jim]

Does anyone use a 357 lever action for deer?

Been after them with my 357 but not connected yet sadly.

 

[Smellydog]

Been after them with my 357 but not connected yet sadly.

There is one or two yes.
Wonderful cartridge in a rifle.
I miss mine.
I never got it on a deer but would not of hesitated...

 

[Greener Jim]

There is one or two yes.
Wonderful cartridge in a rifle.
I miss mine.
I never got it on a deer but would not of hesitated...

Mine is at the shorter end of rifle so definitely just muntjac and CWD for me, the former being what I've pursued.
I don't doubt it'll work a treat when I do.

 

[Smellydog]

Mine is at the shorter end of rifle so definitely just muntjac and CWD for me, the former being what I've pursued.
I don't doubt it'll work a treat when I do.

It gets close to 30/30 performance from a rifle or trapper barrel. The difference is negligible in the real world. Economical too.