45/70 Bullet

[Flatbow]

Unless you are hunting were you have to use mono bullets, I would suggest you stick to cast or cup and core. You can't make a 45 70 into a flat shooting rifle and they are way nicer to shoot at 1500 fps than 2200 fps. They also kill every bit as good at 1500 fps. Millions of Buffalo were killed with lead going 1100 fps. The hole is what kills, there is no hydrostatic shock effect with these.

This is true!
My hotter loads tend to make me start to flinch a bit after a few rounds. Although I do believe there is some hydrostatic shock at these velocity's and the expanding tip.

 

[wild_musk]

This is true!
My hotter loads tend to make me start to flinch a bit after a few rounds. Although I do believe there is some hydrostatic shock at these velocity's and the expanding tip.

Yeah me too. Best accuracy is at 2500fps with 250g Hammers and RL7 or i4198. I started off shooting 405g cast at low velocity, but wanted a light bullet that would upset as opposed to punching a .45 cal hole for deer. I think I've shot 3 deer and a hog with the Hammers, not sure, but nothing has run off anymore. And an elk, he made it about 40yds.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Yeah me too. Best accuracy is at 2500fps with 250g Hammers and RL7 or i4198. I started off shooting 405g cast at low velocity, but wanted a light bullet that would upset as opposed to punching a .45 cal hole for deer. I think I've shot 3 deer and a hog with the Hammers, not sure, but nothing has run off anymore. And an elk, he made it about 40yds.

I'd be interested to know what load you're using and what your barrel length is.

I was running a Hornady 250 MonoFlex with a max charge of 1680 from the Barnes book. In my 18.5" barrel, I got 2,330fps. That load shot CONSIDERABLY flatter than my usual 405gr load at about 1,700fps.

 

[BAKPAKR]

250 grain TSX is awesome on deer. But, I typically use the 300 grain XTP at "ruger only" loading. The projectile expands to over .70"View attachment 642225
View attachment 642224

I bought a 45-70 last year, and the 300 gr Hornady is what I tried. If whitetail/black bear is the only intended game, I don't think I have any reason to search further.

 

[ByronP]

I bought a 45-70 last year, and the 300 gr Hornady is what I tried. If whitetail/black bear is the only intended game, I don't think I have any reason to search further.

View attachment 642947View attachment 642948

NICE!!!!!!!

 

[Alibiiv]

What powder are you using for the Barnes

We are using 49 grains of IMR 4198 with the Barnes TSX FB bullets. Zeroed in at 50 yards, maybe an inch low at 100 yards and about 13 inches low at 200 yards. I've seen some load data up to 51.5 grains with this bullet. I don't like putting a steady diet of hot rounds through our rifles. My thoughts about this load is that the only thing you're killing is your rifle. We have two, vintage 1895 Marlins and a Ruger 1895 SBL that I load for. The actions on these rifles are good to handle a midrange load, however when someone tries to make a .450 Nitro Express out of them they will run into issues. Put too much pressure on them and the receiver will crack between the barrel and the tubular magazine.

 

[ByronP]

We are using 49 grains of IMR 4198 with the Barnes TSX FB bullets. Zeroed in at 50 yards, maybe an inch low at 100 yards and about 13 inches low at 200 yards. I've seen some load data up to 51.5 grains with this bullet. I don't like putting a steady diet of hot rounds through our rifles. My thoughts about this load is that the only thing you're killing is your rifle. We have two, vintage 1895 Marlins and a Ruger 1895 SBL that I load for. The actions on these rifles are good to handle a midrange load, however when someone tries to make a .450 Nitro Express out of them they will run into issues. Put too much pressure on them and the receiver will crack between the barrel and the tubular magazine.

Understand that I just ordered a box from Midway USA THNX

 

[Alibiiv]

I assume your probably hunting 0-150 yds in wooded areas. Honestly ive shot tons of factory bullets and cast coated bullets and every one of them hammers ANY size deer. I actually cast my own 330gr FP and use it alot.you wont recover many FP bullets.

^^^^^^^^^what he said^^^^^^^^^

 

[Alibiiv]

Understand that I just ordered a box from Midway USA THNX

If you're hunting deer or bear out to 150 yards just about any bullet out of the 45-70 will be adequate. RimRock hard cast, gas check bullets have a .275 thousandths meplat that will drop just about anything walking this continent with plenty of authority.

 

[wild_musk]

I'd be interested to know what load you're using and what your barrel length is.

I was running a Hornady 250 MonoFlex with a max charge of 1680 from the Barnes book. In my 18.5" barrel, I got 2,330fps. That load shot CONSIDERABLY flatter than my usual 405gr load at about 1,700fps.

I'm not home but will post it or pm you...rifle is Miroku/Winchester 1886, 24". I used Barnes data as well to start. I tried 1680, but it doesn't fill the case like 4198 or RL7. I tried N130 as well, but got pressure signs at about 2400fps, several grains short of max in Quickload.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I'm not home but will post it or pm you...rifle is Miroku/Winchester 1886, 24". I used Barnes data as well to start. I tried 1680, but it doesn't fill the case like 4198 or RL7. I tried N130 as well, but got pressure signs at about 2400fps, several grains short of max in Quickload.

A 24" bbl makes a big difference. That would put you about 130fps ahead of an 18.5 bbl.

 

[Dean2]

One more tip, short barrelled 45/70, especially with lighter bullets, use a magnum rifle primer to develop your loads. You will get way less un-burned powder Kernels left behind.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

One more tip, short barrelled 45/70, especially with lighter bullets, use a magnum rifle primer to develop your loads. You will get way less un-burned powder Kernels left behind.

I'll have to try this out. I've always just used Fed 210M because that's what I've got in supply.