I’ve always wanted one and I’m partial to older cartridges so I’ve got one on order. What’s anyone’s thoughts? I’ve never fired one but it sounds like it’s going to be a good 100 yard brush gun. I’ve got a lot of thick hunting areas (mainly going to be for deer) and I’m not concerned about recoil. This rifle is a single shot with a muzzle break and from videos and reading it sounds pretty nice. Any preferences on ammo? Bullet weight style?
I have a Handi Rifle with a 45-70, 30" Buffalo barrel (among others). It kicks like a mule with the Hornady Lever Revolution cartridges. I have also shot the Remington standard velocity cartridges with, I believe, a heavier bullet. Although I have not hunted with it, I think I would probably use the slower, heavier bullet for deer to lessen meat damage. Maybe save the Lever Revolutions for elk.
I’m kind of thinking the same with a heavier bullet. Hopes would be that bits of brush wouldn’t effect it as much. We have to slug hunt around here and the old 1 oz 12ga rifled slugs is what I’m guessing it will be similar to. A bit lighter and smaller diameter of course
I would think the 300 gr hollow points would be fine on close range whitetails. I lost a nice bull moose in Alaska. There was 3 of us bow hunting basically, but had 1 rifle that the guy from Oklahoma brought along. A marlins guide gun 45/70, I was the only “gun guy” in the group. As soon as I seen the ammo I thought, “oh! Not what I would have brought, but I guess it’s what I got to work with” I hit a good bull 3 times, first shot almost knocked his front legs out from under him, so I know it was in the shoulder area. It just never got any penetration to the vitals. I don’t recall exactly but the bullets were around 300 gr and had a hollow cavity upfront. Might have been Remingtons. Turns out the rifle wasn’t even his, he barrowed it from a friend. He new nothing about guns…. Especially that one….
Correction as I read my notes: the two types of cartridges I have tried are the Winchester 300 gr hollow points at a listed 1880 fps and the Hornady Lever Revolution 325 gr pointed soft tips advertised at "250 fps faster than other brands" whatever that means. The LR bullets have a pointed soft tip that is safe in tubular mags. My experience as that the Winchesters were easier on the shoulder and grouped far better than the Hornadys at a higher velocity. I have heard from another source that he had a bad experience with the LR bullets on elk. I think the 300 gr Winchesters would be fine for deer but I would try a different brand than either of these with a heavier bullet for elk! This is assuming shorter ranges in brush or timber.
Nothing wrong with a 300gr or more hard cast, gas checked slug ( not hollow point). With the gas check should be able to hit the 1800 fps easily without leading. 300gr is what I use in my falling block. As I cast my own my cost is considerably less that $2.50/rnd.
Well here she is! Along with a really expensive box of cartridges! 350gr flat solid nose bullets. Hopefully they shoot well since Id like to make them last!
I hope that recoil pad is effective. As light as that rifle looks that box of ammo will probably last a while.
Honestly it’s heavier than it looks. I was surprised when I picked it up. Between the pad and the muzzle brake it is supposed to be pretty “friendly” Being a slug hunter, 30/06 fan and a 10ga Turkey gun guy I think it’ll be ok.
Don’t know if I’ve ever fired 12 ga slugs… but I have shot several different 45/70s, none of them are what I would call mild off the bench. But once sighted in and under field/hunting conditions they aren’t to obnoxious. Gun weight plays a pretty big role. A ruger #3 is a good example. Just my experience…
I’m sure you’ll be fine, it’s not like you’re probably gonna take it out to shoot prairie dogs all day
