mlaubner

Do you think the recoil is any worse that a .45 or .50 caliber muzzle loader loaded with 150gr of powder and a 250-295gr bullet?

bigcountry

Ok, guys, I think I might get me a 22" marlin 1895. Can these guns handle the 43,000PSI (high pressure load) or are these for low pressure loads like 28,000PSI?

UncleNorby

Well, all other things being equal (like gun weight, stock design, etc.) I would say my 45/70 may kick about like your muzzleloader would. I have never shot 150 grains of powder out of my muzzlelaoder. I have a 54 cal T/C renegade that I load with 100 gr Pyrodex under a 435 gr maxiball. That kicks about like my 45/70.

With a 45/70, you'll know you've shot a rifle, but it won't make your eyes hurt. If you can hack a .308 or an '06, you'll be fine.

BigBore1895

Bigcountry, I have the 22'' 1895, and it will handle absolutely anything. It is made for high pressure cartridges, and shoots target loads equally as well. You will not be disappointed. Put a nice scope on her and you have all the hunting rifle you ever need.

cwhitenton

Hey BigBore,

What kind of scope did you put on your rifle? What did you sight it in at?

James B

OK OK! we can have a shotgun too The Marlin will handle 45000 lbs no sweat. Put a scope on with plenty of eye relief. An Aetec has 5 inches and most of the Luepolds have 4 inches or a little more. One Bushnell I saw had 6 inches of eye relief. The first shot with my NEF, the scope got me between the eyes. I like a 2x7 about the best.

bronko22000

I love my little 45-70 guide gun. I use it mostly for black bear here in PA. I haven't gottne any of the big bruisers this state grows but did manage to get a couple in the 200 lb class and I liked the way this cartridge performed on them. This rifle is light and short. A very nice carry rifle and will handle anything that walks in my neck of the woods. I have lots of other rifles I can take but for some reason enjoy using this one.
Oh yeah, I installed a Williams peep on it and am more than satisfied with its accuracy.

BigBore1895

cw, I put a Burris FullField II 1.75-5x on my 1895. It is sighted in dead on at 100, so depending on the load it can be anywhere from just a few to about 8 inches low at 150. It is a hammer, and I am accurate with it out to about 300. They key with these big bullets is to practice, to learn to play the rainbow a little bit. Those bullets are absolute anchors, and when something is hit with them you really learn the virtue of big bullets over speedy ones. At least that's how I see it. If you reload, the 45/70 is as fun as they come, and load up some black power rounds! Good luck man!

By the Way, MSRP online is quite a bit higher than what they actually go for, so if you find a good gunshop you might sneak away with one for about $410.

Other good sights are an elevator peep or a ghost ring sight, depending on what you want the gun to do.

bigcountry

So what is the most common wieght people uses for deer hunting? I notice most loads out there are 400gr. I figure lower the better. About 300gr. Do they not shoot as well with 300gr as the 405gr? I would like to be pumping out about 2100fps with 300gr bullet.

James B

That combo would work well for deer. Most folks I know who use the 45-70 for deer use the 300 grain. I like the 400 grain mainly because it shoots so well in my gun. My Marlin won't feed some of the 400 grain bullets as they are to long and hang up when they start to lift up to the chamber. 405 with real flat noses do ok. Federal loads a pretty hot load in thier cheaper line with 300 grain Hollow points.