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Originally Posted by Smokinyotes
Just wondering how far you guys will use a 45/70 on game? Took mine out today to check zero. Im sighted in 2.5" high at a 100. -8" at 200 and -28" at 300. Personally i wouldnt use it on gane past 200 yards.
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Having been enamored by the GBL since it first came out, I've thought that cartridge through more times than I really should have. Never could find a reason to buy it though.
If I got it as a present, I'd probably say "gee what a fantastic rifle, thanks a bunch". Then take it out, rarely, to heavy willow thickets for moose or into heavy deer cover for quick shots under 100 yards using a fixed 3x scope. With iron sights, maybe 85 yards and less.
It can't really get me more at short range in close cover than some semi-custom .300WM with slightly shortened barrel could, throwing 220-grain roundnose bullets close to 2900 fps. But out of the same rifle I could also consistently make prone killing shots out to 400 meters using 190 gn spitzers. It's just more versatile than the GBL. IMO the GBL/45-70 is a specialized rifle for slightly faster handling than most anything else in a substantial cartridge and maybe easier carrying on a horse.
If I needed something for a particularly obnoxious animal at close range that wanted to spoil my day, I'd probably go for a custom CZ550 in 458 Lott. 45-70 is not in the same ballpark.
If I needed to bring down a larger animal at 500-700 yards for whatever reason, I'd probably go for something that is both consistent and can keep higher energy at a distance, like a 378 Wby or 375 RUM or 9.53 Lazzaroni. Maybe even a 416 Wby. Just because a 45-70 can reach 700 yards and beyond, doesn't mean it can precisely deliver sufficiently high ballistic energy at that point.
If I had to kill anything at 1000 yards, I'd be looking into a 50BMG. But that's just me.