45-70 loads for Deer

[bpost1958]

Going to use the 45-70 this year for deer in Ohio. The max distance would be 210 yards from blind to forest edge.

My new mold is the LEE 457 405.

Any recommendations for powder, loads or tricks for the 45-70? Would prefer accuracy over speed. Experience has taught me holes through the lungs and heart kill quickly and cleanly. Impact velocity has little to do with it.

[Starvnhuntr]

40. gr. re-7

[triggerhappy243]

I dont shoot a 45-70, but your shot placement thoughts are right on track. A bullet that heavy has a tremendous amount of energy behind it. but if you cant put it into the vitals... it all goes to waste.

[jhalcott]

I have a 15" TC Contender and a 24" Bolt action in 45-70. Neither will shoot the same loads accurately. Several friends and I bought 45-70 rifles for a club shoot and all are Siamese Mausers. Few of them would shoot the same loads to the same accuracy, close, but not quite! My brother bought a mule kicking 45-70 lever gun. It needed different loads too. Since there are several strength actions around YOU will have to test the powders/ loads on YOUR gun.ed4rs
RX7, 3031 and 4759 are listed for all the actions. A 1/2 grain of Dacron Polyester is recommended when using 4759.

[aspangler]

My 45-70 load is the Lee 457-405f in front of 25 gr 2400. 24" barrel bolt action. 1450 fps 6 es. Shoots cloverleafs at 100 for me. YMMV

[NSB]

Start out by slugging your barrel. Your bullet size may be so far off that no load will shoot well out of the gun. Once you get a bullet to match your barrel, you'll find that the 45-70 isn't that hard to get shooting well. I've tried a lot of different loads (I mean a LOT) and most shoot pretty good. All of my loads are "trapdoor" level loads and the last seven deer I shot with them dropped pretty close to where they were hit.....all within eye sight. All were shot through the heart/lung area.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

What gun are you shooting them in?

[NSB]

My 45-70 load is the Lee 457-405f in front of 25 gr 2400. 24" barrel bolt action. 1450 fps 6 es. Shoots cloverleafs at 100 for me. YMMV

One of my favorite loads too.

[EMC45]

I use that same bullet in a Handi 45-70. 405gr. bullet over 15gr. Unique standard large rifle primer. Shoots well, accurate. 3 deer have given their lives to this bullet and combo. Kicks like a 20ga. trap load.

[Kevinakaq]

I use that same bullet in a Handi 45-70. 405gr. bullet over 15gr. Unique standard large rifle primer. Shoots well, accurate. 3 deer have given their lives to this bullet and combo. Kicks like a 20ga. trap load.

I think i will load up some boolits right now with that same load. I have been creeping up from 10 grains Unique in my Handi pushing a 340 and 405 gr Lee and have had good results on paper. Currently up to 12.5 and got a .980 three shot group at 90 yards (90 yards is in the shade of an old Oak and 100 is in the sun - easy choice here in Florida) during the last test. Need to do more testing but what is not to like? Had planned to deer hunt with my Handi as well this year and think i will make the jump straight to 15 and test out. Will report back...

[rexherring]

Also try about 24-26 grs of AA5744, safe in Trapdoors and accurate powder

[EMC45]

BTW I have never recovered a bullet with this combo. It is devastating.

[bpost1958]

What gun are you shooting them in?

Sorry for the delay, I will be using an ENCORE.

[dh2]

I have good luck with IMR4198 in my marlin , I have a new mould coming from NOE so I will be trying a 405gr. HP pushed by IMR4198 out of my marlin 45/70 for this year, I think it will do the job, what ever comes in front of me deer, bear , or hog, Ithink it will do the job well at two hundred yards or less.

[TCLouis]

I would get some velocity/BC info on your chosen load and then run it through the calculator found here

http://www.handloads.com/calc/ Close but no prize this link has been changed

Then do some field proofing of the trajectory as calculated.

Try this new one

http://www.handloads.com/calc/index.html

[Nrut]

I would get some velocity/BC info on your chosen load and then run it through the calculator found here

http://www.handloads.com/calc/

Then do some field proofing of the trajectory as calculated.

check your link TC Louis..
appears to be hacked..

[aspangler]

check your link TC Louis..
appears to be hacked..

Funny. It worked for me.

[Nrut]

Yes, and now it works for me also..
And what was the question again?
LOL

[Reg]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but do have a question.
The Lee 457-405 mentioned, has anyone had any luck with it in the Rugar Number 1 ?
Have thought of getting this mould but on the Lee site it is mentioned that it may or may not chamber. Something about a lack of throat ??

[TJF1]

rd 460-350 with 25 gr 4759