I have fired a couple rounds from a TC in 45-70, and it is a handfull. Not really my cup of tea.
The ancient (really old) .45-70 Gov't.......
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mkk41
US Veteran
My 1888 Trapdoor Springfield and my 1975 vintage Marlin 1895. One of the early ones with Douglas barrel cut for cast bullets.
Previous owner tried to cold blue the barrel/receiver. I think I'm gonna plum brown it.
Previous owner tried to cold blue the barrel/receiver. I think I'm gonna plum brown it.
I sure like the caliber. I have only two, a trapdoor rifle and a carbine. I only use black powder in them and soft cast bullets. Groove diameters run about .462, so I have an ovrsized mould; works wonders.
When I got the carbine, it was a wreck: the firing pin was broken and the front part jammed in the hole in the breechblock. This may have accounted for the scorched wood around the receiver. The hammer was welded to the tumbler and I had to replace both. Surprisingly, the three-piece cleaning rod was still in the butt trap.
I actually have more 50-70s: an 1866 trapdoor, the one without a receiver (!), a Springfield rolling block, and a Sharps carbine relined. I use smokeless in the latter two. 'Punkin rollers' are fun.
When I got the carbine, it was a wreck: the firing pin was broken and the front part jammed in the hole in the breechblock. This may have accounted for the scorched wood around the receiver. The hammer was welded to the tumbler and I had to replace both. Surprisingly, the three-piece cleaning rod was still in the butt trap.
I actually have more 50-70s: an 1866 trapdoor, the one without a receiver (!), a Springfield rolling block, and a Sharps carbine relined. I use smokeless in the latter two. 'Punkin rollers' are fun.
model70hunter
Member
My 1888 Trapdoor Springfield and my 1975 vintage Marlin 1895. One of the early ones with Douglas barrel cut for cast bullets.
Previous owner tried to cold blue the barrel/receiver. I think I'm gonna plum brown it.
I really like the 45-70. Plum brown would look nice.
I have my Grandfathers 1888 trap door like yours and had the same Marlin. I moved to some wide open spaces and ended up trading off the Marlin. It was a bad mistake. I bagged many Whitetail with it. When the bullet met the deer it sounded like a 2x4 hitting them. They expired quickly. I've been looking for another to trade for. They've gotten pricey.
In the late 1800's my Grandfather rode guard on small wagon trains for folks that were moving from VA to KY. This is where he also met my Grandmother. There were outlaws in the Smokies who robbed travelers. He shot several robbers with the trapdoor. Every time I clean it I think about it's history.
Marlin 1895 XLR .45-70 Govt., barrel cut to 20 inches, large loop lever, all metal parts bead blasted to a dull grey color, topped off with a Leupold VX-III 1.75-6X32mm. It loves to shoot Buffalo Bore 300 gr. JFN at around 2300 FPS and is a ton of fun to use for shooting wid hogs.
Going retro for deer
Can't wait for 2011 to go to Kodiak Island again for deer.........The Browning SRC will be the lever of choice backed by my 625-6 45 Long Colt mtn. gun. The mtn. gun will be used out to 75 yds. and the 45-70 out longer than that. Most deer are at 50-70 yds in that country. Nice to have some 430 gr Buffalo Bore at 1925fps for the bears that rarely sleep on Kodiak. 325 gr at @ 1325 fps will be ample for deer and.......More than likely, 300gr at @ 1100 will be deer fodder.
Can't wait for 2011 to go to Kodiak Island again for deer.........The Browning SRC will be the lever of choice backed by my 625-6 45 Long Colt mtn. gun. The mtn. gun will be used out to 75 yds. and the 45-70 out longer than that. Most deer are at 50-70 yds in that country. Nice to have some 430 gr Buffalo Bore at 1925fps for the bears that rarely sleep on Kodiak. 325 gr at @ 1325 fps will be ample for deer and.......More than likely, 300gr at @ 1100 will be deer fodder.
arch stanton
Member
I just got my first 45-70, a 7.5 inch Magnum Research BFR. Does anyone have a suggestion for a factory load that won't put the front sight in my teeth?
keith44spl
Member
45-70 Gov't Cartridge
I'm right fond of the ol' Gal myself...
'86 Takedown model shortened to 20 inches.
She goes every trip to the North Country.
Su Amigo,
Dave
I'm right fond of the ol' Gal myself...
'86 Takedown model shortened to 20 inches.
She goes every trip to the North Country.
Su Amigo,
Dave
standard Remington 405 Soft point
That's a tough call......a revolver in 45-70 that doesn't kick much.......you aren't asking for much are you? I would start with the standard Remington 405 grain soft point. The 300gr. and so on will be faster and seem like more kick.....IMO.
That's a tough call......a revolver in 45-70 that doesn't kick much.......you aren't asking for much are you? I would start with the standard Remington 405 grain soft point. The 300gr. and so on will be faster and seem like more kick.....IMO.
Nice Carbine
I'm leaning towards cutting my 26" Octagon down to 16.5". It is a Browning. My friend cut a Lightweight (1886) down to 16.25 and put on a large front sight, Williams rec. rear sight, and a soft pad. It still shoots a 400 grain at @ 2000FPS. At any rate, that is a fine looking take-down. I have the 1892 Limited take-down in 45 Long Colt. What a fun and portable Carbine to shoot.
I'm right fond of the ol' Gal myself...
'86 Takedown model shortened to 20 inches.
She goes every trip to the North Country.
Su Amigo,
Dave
I'm leaning towards cutting my 26" Octagon down to 16.5". It is a Browning. My friend cut a Lightweight (1886) down to 16.25 and put on a large front sight, Williams rec. rear sight, and a soft pad. It still shoots a 400 grain at @ 2000FPS. At any rate, that is a fine looking take-down. I have the 1892 Limited take-down in 45 Long Colt. What a fun and portable Carbine to shoot.
ACP230
Member
I shot a BFR in .45-70 with 300 grain bullets in handloads. Recoil wasn't that bad.
I own a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 with the XS Ghost Ring sights. It's got some recoil but is fun to shoot.
It also has a scout scope mount. I bought a Leupold Scout Scope but want to wring it out with the peep sight before scoping it.
I own a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 with the XS Ghost Ring sights. It's got some recoil but is fun to shoot.
It also has a scout scope mount. I bought a Leupold Scout Scope but want to wring it out with the peep sight before scoping it.
Evil One
Member
I just bought an 1895 Marlin and took it to the range over the weekend.
Was amazed at how soft it shot with this ammo.
AMM-906 - Ammo .45-70 Government BVAC RFP 405 Grain 1600 fps 20 Round Box
I was grinning the whole time, and I MAY have lost it to my wife.
We have "our" rifles... but it looks like she wants an 1895 in .45-70 as her very own personal rifle.
Her only criticism was that it needed more thump.
I told her to wait till I start loading for it.
My .300 WM is going into the back of the safe... the old Gubmint may get its own pillow in my bed.
Looks like time to start looking for another one.
Jim
Was amazed at how soft it shot with this ammo.
AMM-906 - Ammo .45-70 Government BVAC RFP 405 Grain 1600 fps 20 Round Box
I was grinning the whole time, and I MAY have lost it to my wife.
We have "our" rifles... but it looks like she wants an 1895 in .45-70 as her very own personal rifle.
Her only criticism was that it needed more thump.
I told her to wait till I start loading for it.
My .300 WM is going into the back of the safe... the old Gubmint may get its own pillow in my bed.
Looks like time to start looking for another one.
Jim
If she wants a bit more thump and you still are shooting factory, try the LeverEvolution 325grs. You'll notice the difference.I just bought an 1895 Marlin and took it to the range over the weekend.
Was amazed at how soft it shot with this ammo.
AMM-906 - Ammo .45-70 Government BVAC RFP 405 Grain 1600 fps 20 Round Box
I was grinning the whole time, and I MAY have lost it to my wife.
We have "our" rifles... but it looks like she wants an 1895 in .45-70 as her very own personal rifle.
Her only criticism was that it needed more thump.
I told her to wait till I start loading for it.
My .300 WM is going into the back of the safe... the old Gubmint may get its own pillow in my bed.
Looks like time to start looking for another one.
Jim
Since you're saving brass the LEs have shorter cases.
Too much cartridge for me, I prefer this:
Centenniel
Member
My current 45-70 Govt. is a Winchester 1886 Extra Light repo that I traded into several years ago. It is a fine hunting rifle.
I have several original trapdoors in .45/70. A Model 1879 infantry rifle, a Model 1888 ramrod-bayonet rifle, and this Model 1879 cavalry carbine. This particular carbine is a pretty rare bird. Only 501 carbines were made in 1881, and this is one of them.
John
John
Forward mounted sight and shorter barrel.........very cool John!!I have 2 45-70's. One is a Italian Sharps like Quigley's & the other a Marlin Guide gun. Both shoot very well. The Guide gun is my Elk rifle for in the dark timber & brush.
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