Henry 45-70 Gov't

[DustyGmt]

Just wondering what the general consensus is on these Henry levers and where are they in the pecking order in terms of quality leverguns.

I've always admired them and have contemplated buying one more than a few times but never really zeroed in on anything specific besides some Winchester 94' leverguns posted at my LGS a while back. If I bought one I'd have probably bought one in 30-30 and most certainly would have chosen a blued walnut or all weather Rossi or some such thing but this thing just quite literally fell into my lap.

Will these things withstand full house BB loads and what is the maximum effective range for deer with em. I really know nothing of these Henry's and 45-70 in general but I'm kind of excited to find out more about them. Somebody just gave me this rifle and a box of Hornady 325gr FTX's. Do any of you guys hunt with these? Which is more preferable between the side gate and tube mag?

Nothing I'd have ever bought for myself but I'm just considering all the possibilities of what I can do and hunt with it. Plus I've been watching "Yellowstone" so perfect timing to add a nice classy levergun to my rack.

What of any history, reputation, details about these guns anybody could share would be greatly appreciated. Even though I would always go for blue the brass is very elegant and the walnut is very nice. 24" Octagon barrel.

 

[someguy2800]

Henry makes very nice quality guns. They will handle "marlin loads".

Maximum effective range is limited only by your ability to estimate and account for range and wind speed. With that leverevolution load if you sight it in at 150 yards you will be like 2.5" high at 100 yards and 6" low at 200 according to my ballistic app.

 

[someguy2800]

Side vs tube loading is just personal preference. Side loading is easier to top off the magazine, but tube loading makes it easier to unload.

 

[Obturation]

Henry makes awesome rifles. I shoot my steel 45-70 a lot. It'll hold up to mid level loads , the most powerful of which is where it starts to become uncomfortable. Treat it well and it'll be good to you .

As far as jacketed bullets & the hornady stuff goes, skip it. The brass is too short to be used with standard load data / crimping us problematic and 45-70 isn't that kind of rifle. It's not a modern 30 cal gun, people keep trying to turn it into one though . cast loads are most appropriate , 400 grains or better. General use load I use is a 405 coated rnfp over a low end (trapdoor) charge of imr4198, good for about 1200 fps, considerably more powerful than a 44 magnum and has very low recoil- that'll kill about anything and not beat you up. As you climb the power ladder all you'll find is more recoil and flatter trajectory , no added lethality. If you go to the top of mid range (marlin) loads you'll get considerable recoil and a bullet that drops less over range .

If I want a hollow point I like the 300 grain Barnes tsx copper bullet, trajectory is flatter and they expand reliably . but for everything except hunting the cast bullet will be best. Don't over think it, there's a reason this old cartridge is still popular, it doesn't need any gimmicks to do its work. Big heavy lead at low velocity will do anything you need and will be cheap to load.

I keep 3 types of loads for my 45-70, 405s over trailboss, 405s over trapdoor charge of imr4198, 405s over near max marlin charge of imr4198. I also keep 20 or so loaded with the 300 grain Barnes tsx over a near max marlin load of imr4198. Select the appropriate cartridge and I can certainly do anything on this continent and nearly anything on earth, I'd prefer more for big African critters.

Henry is a great company making great American rifles. Some folks might like a Japanese made "American icon" , I prefer my lever guns made by Americans on this continent by folks who are actually allowed to own guns. I have zero complaints with my only Henry and I've had it about 6 years and shoot several hundred rounds a year and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

 

[NorthBorder]

^^^^^
What Obturation said.
I have one in the steel frame and scoped. If what you have in your picture is rounds with a Hornady 325 FTX, unless the brass is trimmed back to about 1.4" (I think) those rounds will not chamber from the tube. They are too long. I bought a box of Hornady 325FTX before I realized that. So, I'll either trim some brass or just load them for my Sharps.

This is from Henry Rifle:

Thank you for your interest in Henry rifles.

All of our Henry .45-70 rifles can handle any reputable brand of factory loaded rounds, with standard and +P loads, standard profile bullets (round-nose, flat-nose, and hollow-point), and which are SAAMI (up to 28,000 c.u.p.) pressure compliant. You may need to call the ammo manufacturers to confirm which loads are SAAMI compliant if not marked on the website or packaging.

Also, any .45-70 ammunition that the manufacturer states is safe for modern, 1895-model Marlin-type actions can be safely used in any Henry .45-70 rifles.

Our rifles are not designed to use the antique-action (e.g., ‘Trapdoor’) ammunition, or the overly-powerful ammunition that is made for Ruger-type actions.

Regards,
Jeffrey Post
Technical Customer Service

Enjoy it. It is a great gun.

 

[dredd]

I have a 45-70 Henry and am very happy with it.

As for ammo data, the Hornady Case Length is Trimmed shorter to facilitate proper seating and crimping of the 325FTX Bullets.
I trim my cases for the FTX at 2.040 and a COAL of 2.590

I also load 405/gr lead bullets using the "normal" trim length (2.095) and a COAL of 2.550

Both of these load, function and shoot great.

 

[Armored farmer]

I am proud to own two Henry rifles. They are silky smooth and good shooters. Henry tends to use nice wood on their rifles.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Some years ago our lgs had a Henry .45-70. I handled it and it was smooth as butter. Fit and finish were top notch for a production gun. He sold it and got another in and it was identical.

 

[jag1954]

I have 2 steel walnut Henry carbines, both large loop. A .22LR and a .357/.38 spl side gate. Great rifles.

 

[DustyGmt]

So if I am understanding correctly, these Hornady's I have, the LEVERevolution 325's won't cycle properly in this gun?

I don't reload, or trim brass or study load data or chrono or anything like that so I don't have a good grasp on these matters..... I'm a factory ammo guy, for the time being anyways.

Also, what did @NorthBorder mean when he referred to the manufacturers claim that the rifles aren't intended for antique trapdoor loads. Does that just mean they are designed for modern smokeless powder loads or?

Thanks guys. I wish I was a reloader. What are some good factory ammo choices for this?

 

[dredd]

The Hornady should work just fine.

The caution for the Trapdoor loads has to do with the bullets building enough velocity to exit the bore of the rifle.

Running a 405/gr lead bullet with Trailboss would be fine in a Trapdoor. It could possibly leave a bullet in the bore of your Henry or other rifles.

 

[DustyGmt]

Just to add. I just loaded 4 of those 325's into the tube and cycled every one in and out of the gun and it seemed to function as expected. It's a lil tight feeling but is to be expected with a brand new gun. The thing still had the tag on it.

 

[DustyGmt]

The Hornady should work just fine.

The caution for the Trapdoor loads has to do with the bullets building enough velocity to exit the bore of the rifle.

Running a 405/gr lead bullet with Trailboss would be fine in a Trapdoor. It could possibly leave a bullet in the bore of your Henry or other rifles.

Hmm. I guess I'm going to do some digging but I suppose it's safe to assume that if it cycles it will fire fine and won't risk any damage to the gun. I just don't know what the guy was cautioning against when he told me the 325's weren't suited to this gun. I would need more clarification on that.

 

[dredd]

Just to add. I just loaded 4 of those 325's into the tube and cycled every one in and out of the gun and it seemed to function as expected. It's a lil tight feeling but is to be expected with a brand new gun. The thing still had the tag on it.

 

[dredd]

Hmm. I guess I'm going to do some digging but I suppose it's safe to assume that if it cycles it will fire fine and won't risk any damage to the gun. I just don't know what the guy was cautioning against when he told me the 325's weren't suited to this gun. I would need more clarification on that.

For a slam dunk answer, send Henry and Hornady an email and ask them if that Specific Ammunition will be Safe in Your Specific Rifle.

Please update and share when you receive your replies.

Thanks!

 

[Show Me]

Just wondering what the general consensus is on these Henry levers and where are they in the pecking order in terms of quality leverguns.

I've always admired them and have contemplated buying one more than a few times but never really zeroed in on anything specific besides some Winchester 94' leverguns posted at my LGS a while back. If I bought one I'd have probably bought one in 30-30 and most certainly would have chosen a blued walnut or all weather Rossi or some such thing but this thing just quite literally fell into my lap.

Will these things withstand full house BB loads and what is the maximum effective range for deer with em. I really know nothing of these Henry's and 45-70 in general but I'm kind of excited to find out more about them. Somebody just gave me this rifle and a box of Hornady 325gr FTX's. Do any of you guys hunt with these? Which is more preferable between the side gate and tube mag?

Nothing I'd have ever bought for myself but I'm just considering all the possibilities of what I can do and hunt with it. Plus I've been watching "Yellowstone" so perfect timing to add a nice classy levergun to my rack.

What of any history, reputation, details about these guns anybody could share would be greatly appreciated. Even though I would always go for blue the brass is very elegant and the walnut is very nice. 24" Octagon barrel. View attachment 1054246

Compared to what other brands. What choises are there now. Don't say ruger. They are overpriced

 

[ericuda]

Compared to what other brands. What choises are there now. Don't say ruger. They are overpriced

So enlighten us. Rossi is out there with Henry and the new ruger/marlin. Maybe miroku and others but i doubt any are less than 10 bills now. You are not going to find a 45-70 in your price range I guess.

 

[DustyGmt]

So enlighten us. Rossi is out there with Henry and the new ruger/marlin. Maybe miroku and others but i doubt any are less than 10 bills now. You are not going to find a 45-70 in your price range I guess.

From what I can tell this Henry was 10 Franklin's.... although the blued versions came in at about $750 ish after a quick check but the brass version was $989-$1049 ish.

 

[Show Me]

So enlighten us. Rossi is out there with Henry and the new ruger/marlin. Maybe miroku and others but i doubt any are less than 10 bills now. You are not going to find a 45-70 in your price ra

So enlighten us. Rossi is out there with Henry and the new ruger/marlin. Maybe miroku and others but i doubt any are less than 10 bills now. You are not going to find a 45-70 in your price range I guess.

Ya I could enlighten you. You talk a lot of maybe,I doubt and I guess. My price range Hot stuff?

 

[ericuda]

Lol.

Dusty, you are probly right on price if available. I have an 1895 remlin but no doubt the Henry is of good quality. I am not sure in the gate vs tube. Each has benefits. Gate is easier to top off but tube may be easier to load overall.

I would consider the 45-70 a 100 yard gun to me. Mine is scoped now but I bounce back and forth with a red dot and enjoy the dot much more for casual fun.

Too bad you don't reload, if I didn't reload I would have no desire for a 45-70. The factory ammo is terrible expensive and not available. By reloading you could do anything from plink cans with light recoiling loads to hunt anything your shoulder could handle.

 

[Walleyewarrior7]

I had a Henry blued 45-70. Don’t remember the model but it was the “field” version. Used it as a deer gun in Ohio where we are allowed straight walled cartridges. It did the job and was great to 200 yards. Killed a dozen deer at 120 yds or less no complaints.

 

[DustyGmt]

Lol.

Dusty, you are probly right on price if available. I have an 1895 remlin but no doubt the Henry is of good quality. I am not sure in the gate vs tube. Each has benefits. Gate is easier to top off but tube may be easier to load overall.

I would consider the 45-70 a 100 yard gun to me. Mine is scoped now but I bounce back and forth with a red dot and enjoy the dot much more for casual fun.

Too bad you don't reload, if I didn't reload I would have no desire for a 45-70. The factory ammo is terrible expensive and not available. By reloading you could do anything from plink cans with light recoiling loads to hunt anything your shoulder could handle.

Yeah, I know in this day and age I have no business getting into the 45-70 cartridge as a non-loader but I didn't want to tell the guy that gave it to me that I had no use for it. On the other hand, I do plan on getting set up to reload at some point and in the meantime I doubt I will be doing any high volume shooting with this brush-thumper. If I can find a few boxes here and there and shoot 100rds a year until then I'll be more than pleased. Shooting AR's and Pistols is alot of fun, but sometimes it's nice to switch things up. I would love to cook up some of my own loads using cast bullets and whacking steel plates or deer at 100+/- yards eventually.

The way I am thinking about it, and I'm sure the way alot of us on here tend to think, getting this rifle given to me puts me about a grand ahead so maybe that leaves me a lil justification to go out and buy a nice press and some reloading equipment, lol.

 

[Obturation]

I would consider the 45-70 a 100 yard gun to me. Mine is scoped now but I bounce back and forth with a red dot and enjoy the dot much more for casual fun.

I'm not a long range shooter, I rarely shoot over 100 yards but I've got to mention that some guys can shoot an iron sighted 45-70 reasonably well out past 500 yards. I can't but I don't have anywhere to practice that, nor sights that would be appropriate.

The beauty of the 45-70 cartridge is that I just treat it like an oversized revolver round, I've got no delusion of hitting a running rabbit at 300 yards but I could certainly hit a stop sign at 200 yards. I know basically every modern cartridge is flatter shooting but the heavy lead can buck the wind some and if your elevation is right , you'll likely be pretty close at extended range (assuming 100 yard zero).

I really like using trapdoor loads for plinking around with random target sourced from the scrap bin at work, typically brake rotors. Watching 357s leave a little spatter but no damage and then hitting them with a 45-70 and removing chunks with every hit is satisfying .

If I want modern ballistics , I'll pick something else but if I want to obliterate short range targets 45-70 is my first pick. I really can't think of any modern rifle cartridge that can throw such heavy loads with so little drama. 458 Lott comes to mind but why download that to trapdoor levels when you can just use the more fun lever action with cheaper brass for the exact same thing. Of course there are more powerful & larger cartridges but pretty much all of them come with increased cost, noise, complication . a deer hit at 50 yards can't tell if you used a 458 win mag or a 45-70, neither can a much larger animal. My point in saying that is that 45-70 is well known as a good penetrating round, if you can hit it you can kill it. Hitting it is the tough part once the distance increases .

I won't scope a 45-70, it's just not for me. I would like to add an aperture sight in the future but I can shoot ok without it currently.

 

[Show Me]

Yeah, I know in this day and age I have no business getting into the 45-70 cartridge as a non-loader but I didn't want to tell the guy that gave it to me that I had no use for it. On the other hand, I do plan on getting set up to reload at some point and in the meantime I doubt I will be doing any high volume shooting with this brush-thumper. If I can find a few boxes here and there and shoot 100rds a year until then I'll be more than pleased. Shooting AR's and Pistols is alot of fun, but sometimes it's nice to switch things up. I would love to cook up some of my own loads using cast bullets and whacking steel plates or deer at 100+/- yards eventually.

The way I am thinking about it, and I'm sure the way alot of us on here tend to think, getting this rifle given to me puts me about a grand ahead so maybe that leaves me a lil justification to go out and buy a nice press and some reloading equipment, lol.

You are lucky to have it. Easy to reload for a beginner.300 gr cast and 5744 powder and your set. Get a lyman cast manual. Good reading.

 

[jag1954]

FYI, Federal released their HammerDown line of ammo. It's available in 45-70 (if you can find it). I think its 300 grain. They partnered with Henry on this endeavor. I have some for the .357/.38spl. Good stuff.