45-70 Marlin with 540gr Garretts - Your thoughts?

NJ-Bowhunter · 02-01-2003, 08:03 AM

Ouch is all I can say: My buddy recently bought a Marlin 45-70 guide gun (ported). He intent is to use it in Maine for his yearly hunt(we're in NJ). Like two kids in a candy store, we've been going to the range and shooting 420gr loads. He has just purchased a box of Garrett 540gr HammerHeads. I think that this is overkill for deer in North America. What are your thoughts?

"Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>
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TREEDOG · 02-01-2003, 10:33 AM

Ouch, why not just use 300grs? You guys are brave shooting those things =)

No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous.
-Henry B. Adams

Belladonna: In Italian, a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison.
-Ambrose Bierce (The Devil's Dictionary)

handloader1 · 02-01-2003, 10:55 PM

I love over-kill. Good luck.

halcon · 02-02-2003, 01:00 AM

I have to agree it is overkill on the 500gr for deer, but they sure put the hurt on a elk in a 45-70.

Deleted User · 02-02-2003, 04:42 AM

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445 supermag · 02-02-2003, 07:37 AM

Dg Is right the 540 are used on cape buff in africa. They can take any and all animals in the world bar no animals with that load.

300's are fine for deer.

Have fun with those. Better you then me.LOL good luck and wear and recoil pad.

Brian

aunsaber · 02-02-2003, 07:27 PM

Sounds like a good round to me. You won't have to track'em.

Mainehunter · 02-03-2003, 07:08 AM

I have some of those Hammerhead rounds as well but never noticed any significant difference in recoil. There should by all reports however be a drastic difference at the other end!

There is no need to use anything bigger than the 300 grain rounds for deer, bear, moose or bigfoot here in the Maine woods. One of the best uses for those hammerhead rounds is for close in bear defense in areas like the Alaskan coast. I believe that they were the top choice of one of the US agencies for that very purpose.

No, unless you happen across a 2000 pound carnivorous whitetail with supplemental armor added you won't need those Hammerheads up here.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

“He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice." -Albert Einstein

oldelkhunter · 02-03-2003, 12:06 PM

That would probably cure a sinus infection...

lamar g · 02-03-2003, 04:54 PM

Where do you guys get these 540 gr. Hammerheads? I been using the 405 gr buffalo bore's in my 45/70 when I am in grizzly country. Still waiting to see how they stack up to a brownie, just wondering if the hammerhead has anything on the buualo bore.