45-70 or the 357 puma headed to ny deer hunting

[4719dave]

Okay maybe by the grace of god ill make it this year ......They opened it to rifle were I hunt thinking about bringing the 45-70 with the tombstone boolits ive got in the shop 525 gr hunks of lead .Bought a rossi 357 w 20'' barrel 6 months ago still new in the safe ,I know that's sad !!!!
from my tree stand it over looks 2 gullys 120 yrd max shoot .If I hedge row hunt 100-250 yrd shot .so what gun to bring ... 120747

[dilly]

Bring the one that's already got a load worked.

[warboar_21]

Not sure I would want to shoot at a deer past 150yds with a pistol caliber carbine.

[4719dave]

thinking the 45-70 ive got some 405gr loads and the 525 gr not leaving till the 21 of nov still warm up there im lucky to hunt a lot of land with no pressure ..and time off to double ck loads this week

[starmac]

If I had a 45/70 that I was used to, not sure why I would want to be breaking in a 357. Just get her done, the 45/70 can do anything the 357 can do, but it isn't the same the other way around.

[Lonegun1894]

I have, like, and trust both, but will say to use whichever you're more confident and familiar with. So in this case, I would say hunt with the .45-70 since you've been shooting it, and then work up a load, practice, and then hunt with the .357 next year. Once you get real familiar with it so that it is an extension of you, go make meat with it.

[NavyVet1959]

Go with the .45-70. You don't want to be wondering, "Did I bring enough gun?"

[LeadBrain]

Take the 45/70. My favorite for hunting. Knocks em' down very quickly. Generally they are very accurate. Time tested and proven meat getter.

[Adam10mm]

Beautiful rifle!

[4719dave]

Thanks ,go big or go home ...
Beautiful rifle!

[yukondog]

With the yardage you'll have I would go with the 45-70, I hunt with a 357 sometimes and it will cleanly take a deer or hog at 100 yrds or less. With my ageing eyes with sights I try and keep most of my shots 75 yrds. and under. Good luck.

[starmac]

I guess I do not understand. If I had a 357 (I don't, but one is on the list) and that is all I had, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. As it is I have a 45/70 and also a 45 colt. The colt is very capable and a fun gun to play with, but when it comes to making meat, I do not even consider it, I use the best I've got for the game and conditions.

[seaboltm]

45/70. I prefer 357 rifles at 75 yards and less. And in Texas, there are plenty of shots in that range. But if were going to push beyond 75 yards, I would not take the 357. Just me.

[mnewcomb59]

Why only 75 yards? Subsonic 158s easily shoot to 75 yards, so it can't be trajectory. With a hot load, 357 rifles hit as hard at 200 yards as pistols do at the muzzle.

[seaboltm]

Why only 75 yards? Subsonic 158s easily shoot to 75 yards, so it can't be trajectory. With a hot load, 357 rifles hit as hard at 200 yards as pistols do at the muzzle.

Just me. I have shot plenty of stuff with the 357, and it works OK. Early on I used 125 JHP because I thought velocity was king. I grew up. Still, I am of the opinion that for hunting deer the caliber should start with a 4, the weight should start with a 2, and the muzzle velocity should have 4 digits and start with a one. Can a 357 kill effectively at 200 yards? Maybe. Am I going to try it? No. But like I said, that's just me. FWIW, I am not overly impressed with 357 pistols for hunting, unless you have a T/C, but that's different. Again, not saying the 357 can't do it, but I don't see the point. Especially when I have 44 mags and 45 Colts on standby.

[44magLeo]

I Live in upstate NY.
I have a 1894 44 mag. I can easily take deer at 150 yards. Done several times.
In a 357 I don't think I would try over 100 yards. The smaller diameter and lighter boolits won't have the same power at the longer ranges.
Won't make as big a hole or might not go all the way through.
Use the 45/70. It has enough of both to get the job done.
Leo

[22-250ohio]

I vote for the 45/70 murphy will kick in and you will see one out about 200 if you take the 357

[Uncle Jimbo]

If I had a 45/70 that I was used to, not sure why I would want to be breaking in a 357. Just get her done, the 45/70 can do anything the 357 can do, but it isn't the same the other way around.
Got to agree with this and most all the posts in this thread. And NavyVet1959 sums it up good with this
Go with the .45-70. You don't want to be wondering, "Did I bring enough gun?"
:Fire::Fire::Fire:

[44 flattop]

45-70 all the way. You don't have enough time with the .357, or, none at all! Neither is a 200 yard gun, so stay with what you're familiar with!