Barrel life of 45/70

[ANATION]

Hi gang first post on THR. I was wondering what the average barrel life, shooting jacketed bullets, would be for the 45/70. I handload and tend to keep the loads on the lower side, although I wouldn't call what I shoot reduced loads. I would assume, and perhaps I am wrong, that the barrel would last quite awhile but I always like to hear different opinions. Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

A long, long time....and with cast bullets even longer.

 

[PT1911]

my guess.... long enough to NOT merit any concern on the matter unless you are loading top end velocities...

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Even at top end velocities it will last a lifetime or two (or 3) of normal shooting...

Overbore induces throat erosion...and overbore the 45-70 is NOT, not by any means.

Low velocity, even with hot loads and light bullets...2,300 fps is about it.

 

[bluetopper]

Your grandchildren will enjoy a lifetime of shooting your 45/70.

 

[PT1911]

That is my assumption as well but it is a NON-fact based assumption on my part... so I was being conservative...

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Think about it this way...there are quite a few vintage 45-70's out there that are well over 100 years old. They were built with lower quality steel than we have now...and they are still shooting OK.

 

[achildofthesky]

Forever and then some...

 

[BamAlmighty]

no kidding, that 45-70 barrel will out live you

 

[SaxonPig]

Most barrel damage occurs from large charges of powder burning in a tight chamber, the "overbore" someone mentioned. The .264 Magnum was famous for burning out barrels very quickly. Big case with lots of powder and small bore to push it through.

Not the case with the 45/70. Relatively small case and small powder charge with a big old hole to blow it down.

 

[ANATION]

Thanks guys

My velocity handloaded is around 1950 with Flextips. I could go higher based on Hornady's info but the gun loves that load and, truth be told, I enjoy shooting the Marlin at the range more than my other guns. I take it out about once a month. The recoil is moderate and the accuracy is great. I might take it for Black Bear this year in Pa. I would take it for deer but I have other rifles that fill that void nicely.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Almost forgot...LOL.

Welcome to THR.

 

[jmorris]

Longer than your shoulder will.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I can't see a lot of barrel erosion happening with a .45-70 , even with some of the light jacketed bullet loads. They simply aren't going that fast.

 

[LeonCarr]

Cast Bullets - Forever

Jacketed Bullets - Almost Forever

 

[Ky Larry]

Long enough to keep yor freezer full of meat as long as you have teeth.

 

[ms6852]

Two hundred years from now your rifle will be worth a ton of money.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Think about it this way...there are quite a few vintage 45-70's out there that are well over 100 years old. They were built with lower quality steel than we have now...and they are still shooting OK.

Most definitely there are some that old, but chronological age really isn't the issue as much as the number of rounds fired (type and velocity). Just guessing from what I have seen and read in other calibers, I would not be surprised if you got 50,000 rounds through it or more. I put maybe 100 rounds through mine in a year, probably less. At 100 per year, that would give me about 500 years of use.

 

[lookshigh123]

500 years? Are u kidding?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Nope. You have a different opinion?

So long as the barrel isn't damaged or over pressurized and is kept from rusting out, the steel does not care about calendrical age.