.45-70 Ammo

[ExAgoradzo]

im looking for ideas on high power .45-70 ammo. Like Cor-Bon or Buffalo Bore.

I have a Marlin GG.

Mostly I just want to know what other manufacturers are out there like these two..

Greg

 

[Riomouse911]

Hornady LeveRevolution ammo uses a poly tip to allow a pointed bullet to be used. It’s pretty effective within .45/70 ranges.

Federal used to load a 300 gr JHP that was pretty good stuff.

Neither are in the fire breathing class of the Buffalo Bore loads, but 95% of what you’ll hunt with your GG can be easily taken with strong, but not mini .458 mag, loads.

I’ve had my GG for years, it’s a handful (and a shoulder full) with stout loads for sure. A Rem 405 gr JSP over a healthy dose of 3031 will rattle your fillings if you’re not ready for it.

Stay safe!

 

[Goosey]

Garrett, HSM, Grizzly, Double Tap, and Underwood also come to mind.

 

[JeffG]

I've shot Garrett Hammerheads out of my GG. Couldn't wait to get the empty brass back to the press and load some intelligent hunting loads...ouch!

 

[troy fairweather]

ya no need for those hot loads all they do is pound you. all you need is trapdoor loads.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I know you wanted alternatives to Buffalo Bore, but BB advertises a 405 grain load that reaches 1950 FPS in the Guide Gun... if you want power, I think that'll do it.

But in general, even your vanilla Walmart-shelf loads are going to hit pretty hard. Guess it depends on what you are needing power for: if it's something where the normal loads will actually do fine, or if it's something worth stepping up to the "magnum" loads for.

 

[Varminterror]

Garrett, HSM, Grizzly, Double Tap, and Underwood also come to mind.

That’s pretty much the list for readily available Marlin Only 45-70 loads. Hot stuff, doesn’t really kill any differently on the business end - just more range to do the same killing.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

That’s pretty much the list for readily available Marlin Only 45-70 loads. Hot stuff, doesn’t really kill any differently on the business end - just more range to do the same killing.

Understood, and agreed.

But I bought the gun a few years ago because we were going camping in WY and I convinced my wife we needed protection from Yogi (I doubt anyone here will judge me ). I bought some awesome looking Corbons. Obviously we didn’t see any Yogis in the camp so they all came home. They look really cool in the leather sheath on my stock, but eventually you and your buddies shoot them all...so you need more... Besides, as I said, I pretty much wanted a list of those manufacturers so I could covet their wears and buy one or two...

I have the Leverevolution for if I ever take this rifle pig hunting...

Greg

 

[Riomouse911]

Reloading for the .45/70 is almost exactly like loading for the .38 special, just on a grander scale.

Straight wall (or minimal taper) cases, light case lube for the .45/70 (Same if you don’t have carbide dies for the .38), a little flare on the mouth, lots of different powders, charge weights and bullet styles-weights to choose from, and then apply a good roll crimp when the bullet is seated... and away you go.

Once you start reloading for the .45/70 you’ll find that creating loads all across the power spectrum is tons of fun, and you’ll be shooting the gun five times more often because you’re not paying 35 to 60 bucks for every box of 20 .

The GG is a great hunting tool, and it’s fun on the range, too. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yours as much as the others who bought one do!

Stay safe!

 

[troy fairweather]

Reloading for the .45/70 is almost exactly like loading for the .38 special, just on a grander scale.

Straight wall (or minimal taper) cases, light case lube for the .45/70 (Same if you don’t have carbide dies for the .38), a little flare on the mouth, lots of different powders, charge weights and bullet styles-weights to choose from, and then apply a good roll crimp when the bullet is seated... and away you go.

Once you start reloading for the .45/70 you’ll find that creating loads all across the power spectrum is tons of fun, and you’ll be shooting the gun five times more often because you’re not paying 35 to 60 bucks for every box of 20 .

The GG is a great hunting tool, and it’s fun on the range, too. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yours as much as the others who bought one do!

Stay safe!

yup that's the best part about the 45/70. you can go from very slow and heavy to ight and fast to kicking your but hot. i even loaded up some 45 cal power belts one time, with 15GR of trial boss and a light crimp. to my surprise my siamese mauser was shooting clover leafs at 50 with them.

 

[JeffG]

We always had a saying about the 45/70. "They hit like wet snowballs. 'Course you gotta know what a wet snowball is....

 

[highlander 5]

You expecting pachiderms in your pea patch? If you're worried about black bear any standard 300 to 400gr standard velocity load should do. If you're expecting something larger as in brown,kodiak or grizzly then the +P loads are the ticket just be aware that such loads pack a punch at both ends. Recoil levels will be 2 or 3 times of 30'06 looads.

 

[redneck2]

Couple thoughts, not part of OP.

I had an 1895. Put a Pachmyer Decelerator pad on it. Even with very stout loads it was fine to shoot, about like a 12 gauge with field loads.

As noted, I’d think about hand loading. If you could find one if the old Lee Loader whack-a-mole kits, they’re maybe +/- $35 and do fine. They work well at the kitchen table. You save well over 50% on every round and can make any load you desire

I loaded 300’s because they shot flattest. Since there’s a shortage of bison or bears in northern Indiana, it went away.

 

[jeepnik]

Since the original BP loads could easily kill anything on this continent pretty much any smokeless round will do the same. I tend to use hard cast lead bullets over a less than top off the loading chart charges. They seem to work for anything I’ve used them on so far.

If you’re only going to use factory ammo a 405 gr cast bullet from any manufacturer should suffice. As with any firearm you’ll need to find which load yours likes.

 

[Obturation]

I avoid light loads in 45-70 (300 grain or so), and avoid jacketed bullets (dont need it). 405 grain or heavier and about 1300 fps, if you need more power just use a heavier bullet. Its not a 30 cal rifle, trying to modernize the caliber offers nothing in my opinion. Keep them heavy and fairly slow and theres nothing it cant do.

 

[Riomouse911]

Couple thoughts, not part of OP.

I had an 1895. Put a Pachmyer Decelerator pad on it. Even with very stout loads it was fine to shoot, about like a 12 gauge with field loads.

As noted, I’d think about hand loading. If you could find one if the old Lee Loader whack-a-mole kits, they’re maybe +/- $35 and do fine. They work well at the kitchen table. You save well over 50% on every round and can make any load you desire

I loaded 300’s because they shot flattest. Since there’s a shortage of bison or bears in northern Indiana, it went away.

The rock they screwed on the end of mine is clearly for looks, there's no way it can dampen any recoil. I plan on doing the decelerator pad, I just haven't found anyone local to do it and I don't trust myself to avoid scratching the stock when grinding to fit.

My GG is one of the early blued-ported models. I will assume the porting may help a touch with muzzle rise, I really don't know.

Stay safe!

 

[redneck2]

and I don't trust myself to avoid scratching the stock when grinding to fit.

No. NO! Screw the pad on. Scribe around the stock. Remove the pad to grind it

 

[Riomouse911]

That could work, Thanks! I’ve seen folks tape the stocks to get the final smooth finish, I don’t trust my skill.

I may try my hand at it using the method you describe someday... if it looks crappy because it’s not smooth and contoured cortrctly I still have the original.

Stay safe!

 

[troy fairweather]

That could work, Thanks! I’ve seen folks tape the stocks to get the final smooth finish, I don’t trust my skill.

I may try my hand at it using the method you describe someday... if it looks crappy because it’s not smooth and contoured cortrctly I still have the original.

Stay safe!

install the pad then use a fin scribe close to the stock. pull the pad off then grind it to the line. one thing with the soft pads is they can be to soft. i put a very soft 1 inch pad on my siamese mauser 45/70 and with the very hot loads you can feel the shape plastic from the from of the pad, normal loads are ok.

 

[Riomouse911]

The GG does need something other than the factory brick to soak up some recoil, especially with the Buffalo Bore/Garrett loads the OP was searching for.

I’ll check into the Pachmayr pads .

Stay safe.

 

[rayatphonix]

I’ve put recoil pads on 3 rifles now. I bought a jig, watched several videos, and took my time. It’s not hard and while mine aren’t perfect, they’re good enough everyone who’s seen them thought they came with the rifle. It makes a big difference on my 1895.

 

[Pat Riot]

I am wondering Ex Agoradzo, do you plan to shoot rifles and shotguns into your 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond? If not, proceed with your plans. If so, I would recommend re-evaluating your intentions when it comes to super hot 45-70 loads from a 7 pound rifle.

My 2 cents...by the way, I wish someone had given me this advice when I was in my 20’s and 30’s.

 

[cowboy77]

I’ve got some extra bullets I cast with gas checks that run weights around 396 grains from a NOE mold. They are hard cast and water quenched. I’ve loaded trapdoor loads up with Unique and run some full throttle with imr 3031. Pm me if you reload and I’d be happy to send you some to load up. I’ve sized mine at .460 to go 2/1000 over slugged bore size. Black bear at trapdoor loads will be more than sufficient.