James B

mlaubner. My encore came new with the 45-70 barrel. Its a 24 inch barrel but not real heavy. No sights. I may put sights on it but will mount a 2x7 scope on it to start with. Hitting with the 45-70 is no real trick out to 200 yards but after that its a practice practice practice deal. There are rifles that would serve better for large game. But for some of us who shoot the 45-70 a lot, there is just niothing else like it. Out to 150 yards I can hit my target with no adjustment in sighting. I sight most of my loads three inches high at 50 yards. Its about three inches low at 125 yards. Its just another tool for the hunter and shooter. You can duplicate the Garret loads with LBT cast bullets and it don't cost much to shoot them then. For a practice load or varmit load, I load 13.5 grains of Unique behind the 405 grain cast bullet for 1130 fps. Not much recoil with that load.

mlaubner

Thanks James B, My balistic program shows the same thing with regard to sighting the loads.
What is the standard twist rate for this cartridge?
What is the lighest bullet available for this cartridge?

James B

I think the Marlins have a 1 in 20 twist. I have seen a few with slower twist as well. 300 Grain is the lightest jacketed bullets I have seen. There are some cast bullets in the 275-285 grain range. I spend the most time shooting the NEF rifle. In this caliber the NEF is really accurate. As is the 223. Accuracy is pretty good in all calibers for a 200.00 rifle. With my bad shoulder, I have a little trouble with levers except for the Brownings. On second thought Barnes makes the 250 grain X Flat nose in 45-70.

dep214

i have the marlin 45.70 .it is way too much for deer.you can shoot from 300gr to 405 gr.i use it for hogs

James B

Shame on you dep 214. Dont you know there is no such thing as to much gun? Let alone way to much gun?

mlaubner

Thanks again James B, The 45-70 is now in the line up for purchase...just got to get it past the wife

BigBore1895

Shame on anybody for saying bad things about the 45/70....Too big for deer? Are there different levels of dead? "He's dead enough to eat" and "man he is way to dead to eat"? The 45/70 bullet doesn't come apart like those "other" rounds, and you can eat right up to nice .45 caliber hole. Plus, your tracking skills improve tenfold when the only moving they do after hit straight up in the air, back five feet, and down.

James B

For all the things they foul up, the Government has done well with the 45-70, 30-40 krag and 30-06. Even the 308 and 223 have been a great success. I quess A fellow could hunt the world pretty well with a 223, 30-06 and 45-70.

mlaubner

Hey James B, can we at least have a 12ga for the flying stuff? I am a pretty good shot but launching a 405gr slug at a dove....I just don't think I am quite that good
All kidding aside I totally agree with your surmise...
.223, 30-06, 45-70 ...and a 12ga [8D]

UncleNorby

Dep isn't listening. A large bullet doesn't have to do damage. If you shoot a .45 cal bullet that doesn't mushroom, you simply punch a neat hole through and through. The knockdown power comes from the bullet diameter, which is already the size of many deer bullets after they expand. It isn't too much for the deer.

It may be too much gun for some shooters though. Honestly, they do kick a bit, but it isn't extreme. I like to shoot mine. I wouldn't let my wife shoot it though.