Henry 45-70 Gov't

[3Crows]

I have stomped big pigs flat to the ground with my Marlin SBL at as much as 300 yards. I load my own for the .45-70 but also like the HMS Bear Loads which are 430 grain hard cast for such work. The Marlin is plenty accurate and a rock solid platform for doing so. I also load down to less than 1,000 FPS with Trail Boss and 405 grain hard cast for fun shooting.



I think what the Henry rep meant when it was said the Henry was not meant for "trapdoor loads" it was meant that that the rifle was not limited to trapdoor loads. Supposedly, and there is some disagreement and I am not knowledgeable on Henry to say, that Henry may be able to handle some of the "Marlin Only" loads or maybe not. Some published Marlin loads exceed the 28,000 cup.

As far as the no scope thing, if you are okay limiting the rifle. I need a scope, my eyes are not what they used to be. The scout mounted Burris is perfect.

3C

 

[25-20 WCF]

…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.

This of course makes no sense at all. Cast bullets and Trail Boss were virtually made for the .45-70 in any firearm. By this logic if you cut the 28” Trapdoor barrel off to 22” the bullet would stop before it got there? The “Trapdoor” comment had to do with the maximum allowable pressures for Trapdoor rifles, which is considered to be less than the SAAMI maximum. For example, Lyman considers 17,000 cup as maximum for Trapdoor rifles, not the 28,000 cup SAAMI maximum.



.

 

[Show Me]

Side note, I have seen in one of my many books not to use the 38 loads they listed in a rifle because it might not make it out. Situational awareness is never a bad idea.

 

[3Crows]

The Trail Boss published loads, such as 13.0 grains under a 405 grain lead bullet, produce velocities in the range of 1,000 FPS and are completely safe in a Marlin or Henry lever gun. The HMS Cowboy stuff, 405 grain HCFP, is fun to shoot, nice puff of smoke and are completely adequate for deer and pigs inside 100 yards or so. 3C

 

[Show Me]

I have stomped big pigs flat to the ground with my Marlin SBL at as much as 300 yards. I load my own for the .45-70 but also like the HMS Bear Loads which are 430 grain hard cast for such work. The Marlin is plenty accurate and a rock solid platform for doing so. I also load down to less than 1,000 FPS with Trail Boss and 405 grain hard cast for fun shooting.

View attachment 1054455

I think what the Henry rep meant when it was said the Henry was not meant for "trapdoor loads" it was meant that that the rifle was not limited to trapdoor loads. Supposedly, and there is some disagreement and I am not knowledgeable on Henry to say, that Henry may be able to handle some of the "Marlin Only" loads or maybe not. Some published Marlin loads exceed the 28,000 cup.

As far as the no scope thing, if you are okay limiting the rifle. I need a scope, my eyes are not what they used to be. The scout mounted Burris is perfect.

3C

Even with a receiver sight I need my scope past 65 yards

 

[3Crows]

Even with a receiver sight I need my scope past 65 yards

Yes, and the good thing, at least with my set up, I can remove the scope and revert to the iron sights in seconds and in a few more remount the scope and retain zero. I have the Warne steel quick release scope mounts, on and off in a jiffy. When I carried the rifle for self defense while kiking in Alaska it went with open irons but for most hunting I put the scope on, fine either way. The Ghost ring is okay inside 100 yards and perfect for up close combat but out beyond 75 yards, just give me a scope please. A lot of country is tight in places and open in others, I like the flexibility.

Actually this rifle also has a Nikon Africa 1-4X scope. It too is on Warne rings and snaps on and off. Problem with the Nikon is that despite generous eye relief (it is a long eye relief African scope meant for big bore rifles) it would try to kiss me on the eye brow if I did not have the rifle fully settled in when lit off. So, the Burris solves that issue. But if I were hunting (as opposed to hiking) in bear country I would probably run the Nikon and set it to 1X when about.

When going on a trip, never know what I might need so my two favorite carry/hunting rifles both have ghost/iron sights and two scopes, one standard and one scout. I can mount either as needed and do not hav to remove the irons so if irons are the call of the day, they are ready to go.



I want a Henry chrome all weather in .44 Mag and when I get it (after buying yet another SBL because I want two) it will get a Burris Scout and Warne rings also.

3C

 

[NorthBorder]

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.

I probably didn't explain it well.
The standard length of the 45-70 case is 20105". To reload the Hornady 325 FTX the case needs to be trimmed to a length of 2.040" to facilitate the extra length of the red pointy tip, otherwise the round would be too long to chamber. I have never used factory ammo in my 45-70 but I would suspect that the rounds that you have by Hornady were trimmed to 2.040" at the factory.

 

[DustyGmt]

Understood. I have had it since Friday and can't wait to shoot it, every day that passes unfired seems like an injustice of some sort.

I'm going to get a nice leather sling and ammo carrier for it and see if I can manage to afford a few shots at every range trip and start putting it to use. I can't wait until the brass starts to get dull and takes on a nice patina. It's purty with the shiny brass but I prefer the patina look.....

 

[dredd]

This of course makes no sense at all. Cast bullets and Trail Boss were virtually made for the .45-70 in any firearm. By this logic if you cut the 28” Trapdoor barrel off to 22” the bullet would stop before it got there? The “Trapdoor” comment had to do with the maximum allowable pressures for Trapdoor rifles, which is considered to be less than the SAAMI maximum. For example, Lyman considers 17,000 cup as maximum for Trapdoor rifles, not the 28,000 cup SAAMI maximum.



.

I agree. I didn't understand it, but it was what I was running across searching the 'net.
I guess we know where that gets us.
I believe I even found the same info / concerns in an old THR thread.
I'd have to search again to be sure.

 

[plainsdrifter]

She can come sit on my lap any day.
I've had two winchesters in 30-30 back when I was a teen some odd 50 years ago. Sold them. I have a Henry catalog sittin within arms reach of me. I would take a 45-70 any day.
I have a 1895 Winchester in thirty ought six (wish it was a .405). and a Mod 94 trapper now.

 

[Steve51]

I have the Henry Big Boy Steel version .45-70 with the recoil pad. It is a solid great shooting rifle.
I hand load all of my .45-70 ammo. When using the 405 grain cast lead bullets, I use upper end trapdoor loads.
When using Hornady 300 gr. JHP or Hornady 350 gr interlock bullets, I use mid range Marlin loads. I can shoot the trapdoor type loads all day without a sore shoulder but 10 or 12 Marlin type loads is all my 70 yr old shoulder wants.
Henry makes quality American made rifles and their customer service is top notch.

 

[DustyGmt]

Are the lead trapdoor loads suitable for deer within 100yards +/- ?

 

[NorthBorder]

I haven't been studying trapdoor loads but I think any published trapdoor load would hammer one dead. Factory loads would likely cost $2+ a round. If you happen to know a friend who reloads maybe you can buy the dies and other stuff and he could help you reload. A 3 die Lee set costs less than a box of bullets probably.

 

[DustyGmt]

I haven't been studying trapdoor loads but I think any published trapdoor load would hammer one dead. Factory loads would likely cost $2+ a round. If you happen to know a friend who reloads maybe you can buy the dies and other stuff and he could help you reload. A 3 die Lee set costs less than a box of bullets probably.

Ya know, looking around online and seeing these factory offers @ $2-$3-$4-+ per round I'm thinking if I want to do any regular shooting with this Henry I'm going to need to reload. I need to anyways but I put it off for about a decade and then when I was finally good and ready with plans to set something up covid hit and set things off so I decided to wait, again.

I will say at least in my area everything has become alot more affordable and plentiful. I'm surprised the box of Hornady LeverEvolution 325 FTX's ammo was $59/20. Which isn't bad considering, but still more than I want to pay. My LGS had ammo stacked up to the rafters the other day and I saw quite a bit of reloading components too, but since I don't reload I didn't really pay close attention to the prices but I'm betting they aren't bad considering his gun and ammo prices. I just picked up a "used" but LNIB never fired Mossberg 590 for $250 the other day.

 

[DustyGmt]

Took it out yesterday, first time. Lever guns are pretty awesome. Sometimes its fun to have to manually cycle a round, lol. And for a big stomping cartridge it didn't punch nearly as hard as I expected. I'd like to track down a nice saddle leather carrier for the stock....
I shot 4 rds off hand at about 30 yards and probably won't post a picture of that group . I think I have to drift the sights a lil and and get better acquainted with the gun....

 

[Show Me]

Rifle and snow looks good. Not much snow around here any more. Too many of us run diesels causing global warming they say

 

[Show Me]

P.S. 300 gr lead over 5744 is pleasant to shoot and will make two holes in deer and Indian ponies !

 

[DustyGmt]

Rifle and snow looks good. Not much snow around here any more. Too many of us run diesels causing global warming they say

We have plenty, probably another 2 months worth at least. I wish we could send some of it in your direction

 

[Show Me]

I probably didn't explain it well.
The standard length of the 45-70 case is 20105". To reload the Hornady 325 FTX the case needs to be trimmed to a length of 2.040" to facilitate the extra length of the red pointy tip, otherwise the round would be too long to chamber. I have never used factory ammo in my 45-70 but I would suspect that the rounds that you have by Hornady were trimmed to 2.040" at the factory.

Never trimmed back for ftx .357. Fits the ruger revolvers and the R92's fine. Just need to try it to see if the little red tip clears. Used to get FTX at Shields for 18.00 a box on clearance. Stocked up, then they were cleared out.

 

[0ne3]

I, have three Henrys. 22 ,44 Mag, 45-70 Love them all.