jchpd203

Due to the change in the laws here in Ohio I can now hunt with my new toy, a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 Govt. Looking for amo suggestions for whitetail deer. I hunt on a farm with primarily open fields. Shots could be anywhere from 25 yards to 200 yards. Looking for something that I can zero at 130 to 150 yards and not have to worry about adjustments out to 200 or so. Also something with a bullet that will perform well on medium sized game. I have been using a T/C Encore .50 cal. muzzle loader and just would like to have the extra follow up shots just in case. Thanks for any suggestions.

Oldtimr

I use the 325 grn Hornady Leverevolution ammo in my 45-70 guide gun. I have taken 5 wild hogs and two see so far in two years with it. I will probably never go to any other ammo, it flat does the job.

ihookem1

I have a 45-70 gov. I rarely shoot it cause it kicks so hard. Go with a mild reload if you can. A full power load would kick the crap out of me.

Nomercy448

200yrd or more MPBR is a lot to ask out of a 45-70, especially out of factory ammo that's conservatively loaded in deference to old trapdoors still kicking around.

If you're shooting a Marlin 1895, not an 1895GS (i.e. you have 4" more barrel than I have), then you'll have an advantage, but most of the 'downloaded' factory ammo will NOT give you 200yrd MPBR.

The Hornady Leverevolution 325grn FTX, for example, if you can get 2000fps at the muzzle, will be 4" high at 100yrds, then 4" low at 200yrds with a 175yrd zero.

My wife zeroes her 1895 GS at 100yrds, and has 30" of drop by 250yrds, but the short barrel only trucks 1790fps.

Even with my handloads and the 325grn Hornady FTX pushing 2200fps (dang hot out of the Guide Gun), I'd have to zero at 175yrds, then be 3 1/4" up and down from zero to 200.

Oldtimr

jhookem, You must be awful small, I really don't think my 45-70 has much more recoil than my .308 and I am not using downloaded ammo. Did you ever shoot it or are you just guessing about the recoil.

HatchieLuvr

Go with the Hornady Leverevolution 325FTX. Easiest & cheapest to get, considerably better ballistics (for a 45-70) than the powderpuff loads like Rem, Fed, Win etc...

I THOUGHT I needed the 300Barnes Buffalo Bore (2200fps) & I THOUGHT it wouldn't be that much different than the Leverevos in my Guidegun. Was I ever WRONG! The Leverevos kick about like a 3" mag. The Buffalo Bore HAMMERED every bit as hard as my Mossberg 835UM with 3.5", 2.5oz, Hevi-shot triplexes from Nitro!!!

redgreen

For factory loads I prefer the Federal loaded with the 300 grain Speer. They hit like a ton of bricks and are very accurate.

Oldtimr

Hatchie, I bought 2 boxes of Buffalo bore in 45 Cold to use on a wild boar hunt in GA. When I went to sight the gun in with the ammo I found the recoil ridiculous and it would lossen the cylinder pin on my new model Ruger Bisley Blackhawk. I had a stronger spring installed on the pin, then I used common sense and decided to use the Leverevolution .45 Cold ammo instead. I am not afraid of recoil, but I was not going to beat my gun to pieces. I sold the Buffalo bore ammo for half price to get rid of it. If I was going to hunt Cape Buffalo I would want the Buffalo bore, not for what I use it for. Nothing I hunt won't die from the leverevolution ammo.

HatchieLuvr

OT I can believe it. Don't get me wrong, the BuffBore is GREAT ammo & REALLY maximizes a guns full potential! But I just don't need that much recoil & blast in a "brush gun" for deer. I've considered a .45LC Ruger loaded with BuffBore but I'd have to use hearing protection while hunting with ANY big bore revolver so I'd load it for bear as well.

I likewise use the 220grn BuffBores in my 35 Marlin but it is MUCH MORE civil than the heavy loads he makes for the 45-70. (This load in my 35 has stavedoff my buying a BLR in 358... for now) In the past I've even considered getting a Marlin 1894 in 45LC to specifically put BuffBore hardcast in but then that's kinda redundant when I already have my Guidegun.

Gm54-120

Hornady also offers a 250gr Monoflex in 45/70. Bullet construction is similar to Barnes but a bit cheaper.