[bigsplash1]

I am thinking of using a single shot rifle to hunt white tail. Is using 45/70 as insurance of a one shot take down too much? Will there be extreem spoilage????

[Larry Ashcraft]

Well first, a big bullet doesn't insure a one shot take down, you still have to place your shot. Second, I don't think the 45-70 would spoil too much meat (with a well placed shot) because the round's forte is penetration. Probably would ruin less meat than say, a .270.

YMMV, Larry :)

[mete]

NO and NO.I have used a 45/70 for deer in the Catskill Mtns of NY for about 8 years now. Using 300 gr factory of various brands , last year winchesters Partition for the first time. Most of meat damage is caused by high velocity not bullet diameter. The 300s go about 1850 fps which is pretty low velocity. Ranges here ? most within 50 yds. Average buck is about 150 lbs. My 1885 Browning is very accurate ,the 300s are 1" or better. I think the cartridge is ideal for deer and bear and no need to go to the hot loads. Besides it's a pleasure to use a 150 year old cartridge that holds it's own. And when the see the big hole they say "what are you using a cannon ?".

[critter]

I have a Ruger #1 in 45/70. Awsome deer gun within its range (which is way long IF you can estimate range and know the rainbow trajectory). But within 150 yds or so, it is close on and devistating.

This season, I took a 165# whitetail and a feral hog with mine. My 'sweet spot' just behind the shoulder poked a BIG hole with little bloodshot meat like a HV round gives. Both ran-but not far: deer about 20-25 yds, hog about 15-20.

You WILL get a blood trail with innie and outie holes-big ones and that WILL put meat on the ground and soon.

Good luck and have fun. I love mine!

[JShirley]

Nice big hole all the way through, but without the fragmentation and destruction seen in many high-vel rounds.

Great for short-range whitetails! :)

John

[41 magnum fan]

I have shot about 30 deer and 5 hogs with the 45/70.I do most of my hunting with a Ruger #1.Only had to shoot one hog twice.My loads for deer is a 300 jhp at 2100 fps and my hog load is a 405 grain cast bullet at 1650.I have had less meat damage with the 45/70 than I have had with any other caliber that i have used.Makes a nice entrance and exit wounds.You can eat right up to the bullet hole due to minimal bloodshot meat,unlike the massive meat damage caused by high velocity calibers like the 270,300 etc.I have used the 45/70 on game at ranges from about 10 yards to 160 yards.I highly reccomend the 45/70.

[H&Hhunter]

I have an 1895 CB in .45-70. I shoot the Remington 405gr soft points out of it. It may well be the most awesome close range hog gun on earth. It absoloutley crushes any and all hogs including the very largest ones to ground from any angle. It is in about the same catgory as my .375H&H for swatability yet in faster handling package. I like the .45-70 on hogs and it should make a great deer gun as well.

[Sunray]

I just happen to be in the middle of reading a book about tank warfare. In said book, it says that the word 'magnum' in Arabic, means 'mad'. As in crazy. Thanks. I saw that and immediately thought of the rifle calibre debate.
The .45-70, with the right bullet, is ideal for deer. Is it insurance? No. You still have to put the bullet in the right place. A poorly placed big bullet won't drop a deer any faster than a poorly placed .300 magnum bullet. Shot placement is essential.
A single shot rifle means you must make the first shot count. The accuracy of the rifle is paramount. If you can't hit a 9" pie plate, every time, off hand, at 100 yards, it's not good enough. Or maybe you, aren't. Fortunately, it's March and you have lots of time to get to the point where you can.