I just shot a buck with my Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum caliber. It went through the lungs and left an exit hole that was almost large enough to put my fist into. I am a big bore afficiando, and have contemplated going to a 45-70 in a Marlin lever gun. My question is---for anyone who hunts with a 45-70---does it hit like a jackhammer or is all that energy just expended on your shoulder and on the other side of the deer?

Clint

Hey clint i havnt tried it but ive heard of a guy who put a shot through the shoulders of a 215 pound whitetail. There wasnt any need for following a blood cuse it crushed both shoulders and dropped it rate there. I guess if you have a trophy rack rate there and dont mind a rather large hole go ahead. Even with this power rember practice alot because a whole lot can go wrong all at once.

We have shot a few deer with the 45-70 and it doesn' t seem to do as much damage as my 7mm mag or even close to it . It will definitely put a good size hole through them but you don' t seem to get the large amount of tissue damage with it. I also have/had the Marlin 1894 in 44 mag and it does a job within its range . I made the mistake of loaning it to one of my sons .

The 45/70 is an incredible round. I highly recommend the round to anybody, for hunting, targets, anything. The recoil is tough on some, but it is managable. The bullets hit hard as hell, there are a ton of reloading supplies, and factory, rounds, and people, like these guys, ( www.garrettcartridges.com ) who make special rounds for it. Awesome gun, I have a Marlin guide gun in 45/70, and it is my favorite.

I just looked at a new Marlin 1895 guide. It was priced at $495. Is that good?
I left it in the store for now.
Also, I am a real stickler on good shot placement. If I can' t be relatively sure of good placement, I will refrain from shooting. That said, do you think the 45-70 would have a substantial advantage over my comfortable shooting Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum with a 240 grain bullet? Is that 45-70 really Thor' s hammer on deer?

Clint

The 45/70 is a thumper, but it is also a shooter. From a standing position, the recoil just doesn' t bother me much, but I have shot probably close to 1,000 rounds through my current Marlin. From the bench, well, it isn' t a .223, but it' s managable. For sights, alot of people put a low power scope on it, and my dad even has a 2.5-10 on his. Shot placement isn' t a problem, unless you are trying to put three shots in a dime at 200 yards. It is an effective round.

As for the price, I think you might do a little bit better. Where did you go? I got mine last year for about $420 dollars, so $495 isn' t UNREASONABLE, but shop around. Good luck man, happy hunting.

I use a 45-70 for deer alot. I don' t have to count on bullet expansion to do the job.
I prefer big hard cast bullets. I presently use a 420 grain LBT style bullet.
It leaves a nice hole and doesn' t distroy any more meat than a bullet that expands.

The .45/70 loads that shoot 300 or 400 grain bullets at velocities in the 1800 FPS range are MORE than deer loads! They, particularly the 400 grain jobs, have great penetration! If you are shooting at the front or back end of a deer, or at an elk, whether quarting toward, away, or broadside, these bullets will get top where they need to go, or more!! For deer, they are a lot more than needed, especially on broadside shots! If you shoot a deer broadside with one, it will hit the deer like a jackhammer, and a lot of the landscape on the other side of it too!!

Now, because of its' lower velocity, the .45/70 does not generally ruin as much meat as faster rounds. Elmer Keith used to say, " you can eat right up to the bullet hole" , and that is pretty true. As to whether or not the .45/70 has a substantial advantage over your .44 Mag. with careful bullet placement, I' d say NO, not on deer! BUT, if you ever want to shoot elk, bear, moose, etc., then YES!!

The .45-70' s a pretty good kick, but it' s a long shove, my .30-06' s seem to kick a heck of a lot harder than my .45-70' s, even in MUCH heavier guns than some of the .45-70' s.

I don' t think there is a better round for deer hunting in the woods. I bought my marlin 1895ss for public land hunting in northern michigan. I wanted a quick kill and huge blood trail. I also didn' t want alot of bloodshot meat. I' m sure not dissapointed!!! I also have a 1894 in .44 but I have not had a chance to use it yet. In the .45-70 you have a cartridge that is mild and easy to shoot (300 gr factory loads) and also a thundering nightmare for any animal in north america (heavy handloads and Garrett' s stuff). Buy one you will love it!!