Anybody hunt with a 45-70?

I got the itch for a lever action. Just never occured to me to use a 45-70 for deer hunting. What is the main use of this caliber? Bear and guide gun only? Do you guys use it on deer. I think I am rather knowledgable about bolts, and semis but never had a lever in my life.

[oldelkhunter]

Had a 45/70 Marlin and a Ruger # 1S in that caliber...notice had. If your interested I'll make you a heck of a deal on brass and dies I think the way to go for deep woods and have a quick 2nd shot is a pump myself something like a 7600 in 270 or 06 faster then any lever..

[Pluto]

I use a GG in 45-70 for deer hunting. It is my 'go to gun'. At what is resonable distances for me, it hits were its pointing and the deer doesn't go far after the shot. I have become a hole lot better 'tracker' when the deer doesn't take a step. I have a couple of deer calibers, I just like the GG and the 45-70.

[UncleNorby]

Yeah I do. I have a Marlin 1895 SS, with a Williams peep. I love it.
I shoot hornady 300 gr. interlocks over enough powder to get them going nearly 2000 fps. I find it to be a very handy rifle, and more than fast enough to make follow up shots should they be necessary. They usually aren't necessary.

Here's the deal. That 45 cal bullet makes a big hole going in and a bigger hole going out, even if it doen't mushroom much. Serious knockdown power. You get a real decent blood trail if you don't drop them where they stand. Some guys like other action types, which is cool, I just like levers.

Why not try one? I bet you'll be surprised at how well you will hit at 100 yds. with a peep sight if you haven't tried one before. Then you can have a gun to take in the thick stuff, and take your bolt action where longer shots are anticipated.

Just in the mood for a new gun. Thought it would be a nice toy.

[338]

I have used 1 for awhile, a 1895 and have taken many deer with it. I had no luck with the 405's or the 300 partition winchesters they just punch through with no expansion. The 300 JHP rem work well but break up badly. I have heard the 300 gr hornady work well and will try them next. It is a 100+ year old cartrage that works better now than it did then and is one of my favorites..Bill

[RonK]

I use a Ruger #3. Haven't shot any thing with it yet but I know if I hit it it's mine. Very accurate and very hard hitting at both ends.

[BigBore1895]

I am a diehard fan of the 45/70, and Marlins for that matter. They are so much fun to hunt with. If you practice and learn the rainbow game a bit, they are 300 yard rifles. There is a reason that this cartridge has been around as long as it has. It works great on everything. We have quite a few Marlins in the family, and everybody loves theirs. Lightening fast once you get the feel for them. And man oh man, do they pack power, just an absolute hammer. Best penetration around, HUGE wound channels, and knockdown power to spare. Do not hesitate! Go get a new Guide Gun! I have both a ported 18.5 in barrell and a non-ported 22 in. barrell. Get which one you like the best, there is not much difference in accuracy between the barrells. Also, check this page out.

www.garrettcartridges.com

[T/C fan!]

I hunt with the 45-70, but its in a Contender pistol. I took a small eight-pointer last year with it and there was no such thing as tracking it, it didn't know what hit it![8D]

[aunsaber]

I hunt with a 1895 MarlinCB. I use 350 gr. Hornady bullets and they will do the job.
But I really like using one of my single shots with 420 gr. hard cast bullets.
45/70 is my all time favorite cartridge. There is a reason it's been around so long.