Too much 45-70

[colroggal]

I think I finally found a 45-70 load that is officially a killer on both ends. Last week my wife and I were in Edmonton and I happened to wander into cabelas south. There just happened to be two boxes of hornady 350g FP interlocks on the shelf. I bought both.

Later that day as we came back into Calgary my wife wanted to sneak into Cabelas to look at Muck boots and I just happened to see hornady 350g FP interlocks on the shelf there as well. Two boxes. I bought both.

Anyhoo, I loaded a bunch up with H4198 and headed to the range today. Hodgedon's max load is listed at 54 grains. I started at 46.5. By the time I got to 50.5 my shoulder was more than a tad sore. I broke up each group with the .22 and paced myself but I quit half way through the 51.0 grain string. The second to last shot felt like it temporarily deflated my left lung and the last one pushed all the blood out of my torso.

I might be exaggerating, but not by much.

I left the chrony at home but I would peg the 50.5's at about 2075ish fps. That group with a Skinner peep was just over an inch at 50 meters. I figure I can put it where it's needed and if it hurts me that much, it'll hurt whatever is on the end a whole heck of a lot more.

Like they say, good enough for government work!

Colin

[fps plus]

If you want a real eye opener load some 500gr bullets to the max.

[colroggal]

Originally Posted by fps plus

If you want a real eye opener load some 500gr bullets to the max.

450's, 500's - even 525's - they are dang stout, but the push you. The recoil impulse on this load was a hard snap. Like a 325 ftx load on steroids.

Colin

[Pioneer2]

You have to run them full throttle.I run my Marlin at about 3/4 MAX and cut 1/2 groups at 100 yards with either 300gr HP and 350gr FN.The 350's are stiff on the shoulder.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

You have to run them full throttle.I run my Marlin at about 3/4 MAX and cut 1/2 groups at 100 yards with either 300gr HP and 350gr FN.The 350's are stiff on the shoulder.

1/2 inch groups with .45 bullets at 100 yards?? 5 shot groups too. My gun might not do that with one shot

[Puma]

Its the handloaded 405 JFP that I find uncomfortable. The various 300's dont bother me much.

[sns2]

I was real hot for a 45-70 a few years back. Darren32 loaned me his Marlin and two boxes of full house loads he cooked up. Took a few teeth rattling shots and I put that sucker away. I had a box of Remington ammo I picked up that I didn't even feel like trying. Gave it to Cat. That 45-70 when loaded hot is a real thumper.

Then I go bear hunting with Dean2 who cooked up some gentler loads and the recoil was very manageable.

I'm still intrigued by the gun just for shizzles.

[colroggal]

My favorite range load is still a 405 cast over 34 grains of h4198 with a cigarette paper stuffer. A gentle push and you have time to lift your muffs off to hear the ... ding!

Colin

[stob]

what us idots will do for giggles ... snapped my wrist real good on max'd out 405gr pills... took a year to get it back... an english/straight grip guide gun - non-ported

[Pioneer2]

A Ruger #3 in 45-70

[traderal]

I have a BLR pistol grip in 450 Marlin. First 3 shots out of 5 gave me scope eye.

[Stinky Coyote]

you all have issues

[32-40win]

I could get thru 40 rds of 320gr@2050 with my #1,no sweat, but, it does have a Limbsaver on it. I managed a box of 400gr factory @ 2050 with the Ruger pad on it, 15-20 were getting painful, With the Limbsaver, went the 20 no problem. It made a big difference, by putting that pad on.

[t.tinsmith]

Originally Posted by traderal

I have a BLR pistol grip in 450 Marlin. First 3 shots out of 5 gave me scope eye.

I have the same rifle but with a scout scope on it. You might want to convert to it

[303carbine]

When I shoot 45-70, all I shoot is 405 cast with a gas check. The combined weight of lube and gas check puts them on the scale at 420 grains.
In all the years of hunting with them, I have never retrieved a bullet from game.

[Battle Rat]

Originally Posted by 303carbine

When I shoot 45-70, all I shoot is 405 cast with a gas check. The combined weight of lube and gas check puts them on the scale at 420 grains.
In all the years of hunting with them, I have never retrieved a bullet from game.

Same preference here.
My BIL recovered one from a beef I put down for him.
I didn't tell him what gun I had I was using and he found the bullet a out 3' back from the entrance hole it the head.
405 from the Bullet Barn.

[fps plus]

In 1983 I shot a cow moose which was approx 100 yds away, slight downhill , quartering slightly towards me. The 300 grain Hornady hollow point entered the shoulder and exited the off side ham. It surprised me the amount of penetration Elmer Keith must have smiled .

[amosfella]

There's a reason that in the Buffalo hunting days that there was a saying:

Don't pick a fight with Buffalo Hunters, ain't no such thing as cover.

[303carbine]

Originally Posted by fps plus

In 1983 I shot a cow moose which was approx 100 yds away, slight downhill , quartering slightly towards me. The 300 grain Hornady hollow point entered the shoulder and exited the off side ham. It surprised me the amount of penetration Elmer Keith must have smiled .

Elmer never smiled when shooters choose jacketed bullets, big lead bullets only.

[fps plus]

Originally Posted by 303carbine

Elmer never smiled when shooters choose jacketed bullets, big lead bullets only.

May want to do a little more reading