Ths78,
What does “that flat” mean? Where I come from 8” below the line of sight at two hundred yards doesn’t equate to “flat”. What is the maximum trajectory for 2” high at 100 yards and 8” below line of sight at 200 yards? I’m going to guess 4” or more? If that is close this would give you a 12” vertical point of impact within 200 yards. Which is about 4” bigger than a pie-plate (the size of a whitetail deer’s vitals) and that is with no error in the calculation. I think you should be shooting for (no pun intended) half the size of the vitals at whatever shooting distance you are anticipating and then you pick the cartridge you want based on the numbers.

So if I were going to carry the 45-70 I’d set the maximum trajectory for 2”. When the projectile fell below the line of sight 2” (point blank range) I would establish this as my maximum shooting distance or point blank range yards. Now the gun is capable of shooting through a 4” window at this given range, but we must realize that we aren’t going to achieve this while holding the rifle in a hunting scenario, ultimately ending up with the pie-plate, and anything bigger I would consider irresponsible.

I don’t have any tables in front of me but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that if you zeroed the weapon at 100 yards you would have a maximum trajectory of approximately 2”. The point blank range yards around 130 yards and the supplemental range yards around 145 to 150 and now you’re really pushing it in regards to responsible shooting.

Keep in mind, I said that if he wants the gun, he should buy it and enjoy it. He should however know what he’s getting before purchasing it and know its limitations, just as you would any other firearm. As far as I can tell, this is the equivalent of a shotgun loaded up with slugs, however, you’ll never be able to use any kind of shot shell with this gun. If I were happy with the ballistics provided I think I’d buy a shotgun and be a little more versatile. But that is just me. There are many reasons to buy a particular gun. But if ballistic performance were my first priority, this gun wouldn’t be a runner up. And I’m sorry, but I have to go on factory ammo for my opinions. I don’t reload and don’t feel that I should have to, when there are so many good cartridges right off the shelf to pick from.