45-70 or 45-90

[brad925]

I have a Uberti 1885 Highwall in 45-70 with a 1-20 twist barrel. just wondering if i should rechamber it to 45-90 seeing that any loading data i have on the 45-90 shows that the test gun had a 1-20 twist and the 45-70 data shows for a 1-18 twist. What should i do?

[M-Tecs]

It depends on what you are using it for and what boolits you will be using.

[brad925]

lyman 535 postell shooting sillywets and some shooting out past 500 yds.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

do the 90. The only advantage to a 45-70 over the 90 is cheaper brass from four manufacturers.

[rfd]

i just started paper patching my .45-70's - and with 82 grains (or more) under a ppb, that turned my .45-70's into "virtual .45-90's".

other than that, as already posted, all depends on what main task is required of the rifle you seek.

[Don McDowell]

Leave it as is. If you think you need a 45-90 then get one or have this one rebarreled and chambered.

[country gent]

I have both a pedersoli 74 Sharps long range in 45-70 and a c sharps Hepburn in 45-90. Several things I have learned over the years. You will be a lot "fresher" for the rams with the 45-70s slightly lighter recoil. The 45-70 burns less powder and will probably use a little less lead per match. Brass is cheaper for the 45-70 and more available. Another is reaming a 45-70 chamber out to 45-90 may not clean up the original chamber completely leaving a small step. The45-90 is a great round and does things that the 45-70 cant. But those big bullets 550 grn to 575 grn take a toll on both ends. If your getting the desired accuracy from your 45-70 with the 1-20 twist then simply stay with it and learn the sight settings for the different ranges. ( Keep a score book with this information what you went on with what you came off with.) If you want a 45-90 then I would buy one and have both.

[rfd]

with greasers, i'd think that if yer into bpcr shilhouette and/or hunting, the .45-70 is more than capable of getting the job done for most anyone. but if there's a need to hit targets way beyond 500m, or maybe if yer quigley bound, or hunting something truly gignormous, then perhaps a .45-90 might be of somewhat greater value. it's nice for me to know that i can pretty much do it all with a .45-70, using greasers or ppb's.

[Gunlaker]

If I was shooting 800 yards and under I'd go with a .45-70 rather than the .45-90. The extra few FPS isn't going to buy you a lot. I'd shoot it like it is before even thinking of changing anything.

Chris.

[MT Chambers]

For hunting with a BPCR I'd go for the 45/90.......otherwise the 45/70!

[Nobade]

60 rounds of 45-70 kicks enough. You want more? Not me!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[rfd]

at least in nor'america, i dunno what critter a well loaded .45-70 cartridge wouldn't be properly capable of taking down ... ?

in just one morning of range shooting i've lit off upwards of 80 rounds of .45-70 with 527 grain bullets and 68 grains of swiss 1-1/2f with no recoil issues, and that includes that my gun stock shoulder has perpetual "frozen syndrome" issues. i couldn't do that much shooting without the lace-on kick killer butt pad. this is even more important for me as i'm now totally into ppb's and 80+ grains of powder with heavy bullets.

[Lead pot]

Shame-shame for hiding that pretty wood

[rfd]

"function over form"

[Lead pot]

"function over form"

[MT Chambers]

Both my 45/100 and 50/90 seem to hit harder on game and you only shoot 1 or 2 at a time and that's why I like those over the 45/70 for BP hunting, they are of course heavier than my highwall 45/70.

[Ithaca Gunner]

The Gov't played around with a .45-80 for a while in hopes of gaining a better long range cartridge over the .45-70-405. They got the results desired with the .45-70-500.

[brad925]

Thanks all of you for the info. I am happy with the accuracy and power with the 45-70 at resonable hunting distances. As far as targets i doubt i would shoot much past 500 very often anyways. I guess a fella is always trying to improve on something even though sometimes its hard to convince them that some things don't need improving.