45-70 recoil ?

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Scopes

Im thinkin that any shotgun scope out there is made to withstand slug loads from most 20 and 12 gauges since they sure have no other reason to be on a shotgun. that might be a good low power scope fpr a 45-70.
 
Jim Watson said:
...but I really do find the .45-70's recoil to be objectionable.
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It definitely depends on the combination of the gun, the ammo, and the recoil pad (if any).

I have no problems with anything I've shot so far through my 1895g, but throw the shock of a really stout load through a gun with a metal buttplate into my shoulder and I bet I'd feel it a bit more... ;)
 
Depends on the person, the load, and the gun.

The venerable .45-70 can go from mild to wild. The 500gr 1200fps blackpowder loads from my 32" Sharps are just plain fun, while 405gr 2100fps smokeless loads from my Ruger #1 or Siamese Mauser conversion make me call it quits after about 10 rounds. (I plan on only needing one of those rounds come dangerous game hunting time...) I'm 195 lbs, and 6', so I'm good with some amounts of recoil. However, a Russian M44 carbine in 7.62x54R is just plain too much recoil for me.
 
If you can handle a 308, etc... you shouldn't have any problem with the 45-70. Throw on a decent recoil pad and you should be fine.
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I disagree. I can shoot a 100+ rounds of 308 out of a FAL or bolt action rifle with no recoil pad and not be sore. 40 rounds of 45-70 out of a 10+ pound sharps rifle is too much.

I have never encountered a factory loaded 45-70 round that recoils as little as a 308.
 
I'm not into rifles much but have considered getting one of the Handi-Rifles my self. My only experience with the 45-70 was shooting the 405 gr factory loads in a friends original Trapdoor years ago. Don't remember the recoil being all that bad but to be honest I was a helluve lot younger and shooting skeet and trap quite a bit at the time plus shooting an '03 Springfield some too. Might be a bit harder on an old guy now.:uhoh:
 
Lone_Gunman,

Have you tried those PMC cowboy loads? I am telling you those are love-taps compared to everything else...

D
 
You may also try inserting a few periods into that super long sentence.


LOL...public education for you...

Ive youve ever shot 20 ga slugs out of a single shot shotgun...thats about how hard it kicks...i think.
 
Buy a Past recoil Shield in 1/2" and any factory load will be a pussycat.
Reloading the Speer 400 grain to 1850 fps will be felt on the shoulder but will be manageable. However it will pull the forend from your supporting hand no matter how hard you try to hold it. At 1800 you will be able to hold it.

God love the Marlin 45/70!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Shooting my 45/70...

Is relatively painless IMHO. It is a marlin with a 16" barrel and no porting but does have a decelerator pad on it. So far I have "only" shot the 325 gr leverevolution rounds through it. Kind of an authoritative shove it seems to me. I have not shot a marlin with a stock pad BTW. Hope this helps...

Patty
 
Have you tried those PMC cowboy loads? I am telling you those are love-taps compared to everything else...
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I have no doubt the 45-70 can be downloaded to the point that recoil would be neglible, but it really isn't a 45-70 anymore if you do that.

At what range do you shoot that load?
 
I'd be interested to hear comparisons to a .50 caliber black powder rifle. 80 Grains of triple seven behind a 300 grain copper jacketed slug to the .45-70.

As I've opined before, shooting my inline is more of a "deep tissue" sort of recoil. I can shoot it for hours on end but my shoulder hurts the next day. Seems like the real pain doesn't start for at least five hours and doesn't wear off for at least three days...

In any event I've an affection for the .45-70 as a long range round and as an all inclusive woods rifle caliber. From what I've read, the effects of handloading on straight walled rifle calibers are profoundly positive and exceedingly simple to learn.
 
100 yards...But I have only shot one box through my TC. Out of my 16.25" bbl I had to have about a 1" high hold...at the time I was shooting it as a pistol and had it zero'd at 100 with a 350 gr. hornady RN at 1400 fps. My guess was it was plunking along at a bit less than 1200 or so...you could get a bit more range and velocity out of a Sharps, I am sure.

I really love the times when newbies come up and ask me questions about it and how old the cartridge is. :)


D
 
I'd be interested to hear comparisons to a .50 caliber black powder rifle. 80 Grains of triple seven behind a 300 grain copper jacketed slug to the .45-70.
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90 or so grains of Goex in my Encore with a 250gr saboted bullet kicks worse than the .45-70. Or close to. Maybe it's just the flash and blast. (If you've never tried Real Black Powder, you owe it to yourself. It's rather entertaining for a few shots! ;) ) My Encore is a 20" Katahdin, and the .45-70 is the ubiquitous Marlin 1895 Guide Gun, both unported.

Shoot Pyrodex and the kick goes down. The muzzleloader seems like you can shoot about as long without recoil effects. Difference is, my shoulder usually gets like a 2-3 minute break between shots with the muzzleloader!
 
My hat is off to those who took the time to answer the thread originator’s question.

To those who commented on punctuation and literacy all I can say is: "I am truly amazed."

Kent
 
My Encore is 45 70 and is fun to shoot with handloads. Beware of the Federal loads with the 300gr Sierra hp. When I first started shooting it before reloading the guy at the gun shop found out I was using the Encore and smirked when he handed me the box. Told me only to use them in Encores an Ruger # 1's. I am no whimp but after a box of these I am done.
 
You may be uncomfortable with a 45-70 in that lightweight little single shot. If it has a plastic buttplate you most certainly will be uncomfortable.
I am shooting an 1895. This is not the guide gun but has a pistol grip stock and a 22" barrel. I had to install a Limbsaver recoil pad. After firing the 405 Remingtom load there was no problem with recoil in my 1895. When I went to the more powerful loads it was clear that I was over my head. Please note that I am not firing Buffalo Bore but 300gr Winchester and warm PMC loads.
 
See, now you just have to get a .45-70 revolver to go with your rifle.

Just kidding. I compare my 1895 to a twelve-gauge with light loads; but I'd warrant caution the first time you take it to the range. I actually cut my shoulder with the buttplate because I wasn't holding it tight:cuss:, but thats my fault.


BTW, did anyone know they actually make a .45-70+P!!!
 
You may be uncomfortable with a 45-70 in that lightweight little single shot. If it has a plastic buttplate you most certainly will be uncomfortable.
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I assume your referring to the Ruger #3 here. My dad has one in 45-70 and its one of the few rifles I dont like shooting. If you havent seen or shot one, picture a rifle about the same size as a 10-22, with the same stock, in 45-70. :)
 
I am 5'4" on a good day and weigh in at 150 lbs. After five rounds out of my M-44, My NEF 45-70 feels much better. Get both and you will not mind the 45-70 at all!
 
If you are shooting a Handi Rifle one trick is to take the recoil pad off and fill the bolthole with #2 shot. This makes mine very shootable even with Marlin loads. While some people do shoot the Handi at level three the company does not recommend it. Also a quality recoil pad is highly recommended. When I shoot my 1895 Marlin I always use a Shooter’s Friend slip on pad. Again I have no problem shooting level 2 loads in either gun and I am a wimp when it comes to recoil. The recoil in either gun is nowhere close to the recoil of my 12G-slug gun.
RJ
 
Recoil?

You haven't experienced recoil until you shoot a 350gr @ 2200fps out of a Runger No. 3. That's recoil!
 
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