SilentKnight
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2014
- Messages
- 383
- Reaction score
- 365
A couple of days ago I took my 1886 Winchester 45-70 with case hardened receiver, octagon 24 inch barrel, and crescent butt plate to a private shooting area. I was using a fabricated target to verify my sights were still on. The first 3 rounds failed to print on the paper at 50 yards!! After investigating, I discovered I had grabbed the wrong box of ammo and was using 300 grain bullets instead of the 405 grain bullet it was designed for. The 300 grain bullet was printing 8 inches high at 50 yards... the 405 grain bullet was 2 inches high right where I wanted it. The Winchester is good out to 150 yards sighted that way with the 405 grain bullet. The difference in trajectory was illuminating between the 300 grain and 405 grain bullet. Getting to know your 45-70 is challenging as they have a trajectory like throwing a rock at the Moon. To get really good with it, you need to reload to make it affordable. I use the 300 grain bullet in my Marlin Guide Gun that is lighter and more pleasant to shoot. The crescent butt plate on the Winchester gets really painful after 10 rounds. I am having a leather recoil pad made for it. What kind of advice or experience is there in this knowledgeable community for 45-70 shooters?