What grain weight 45-70 would you guys use for a Bufflao Hunt?

[Just Duke]

What grain weight 45-70 would you guys use for a Buffalo Hunt?
The wife wants me to take her on several hunts about the US.
This would be a traditional hunt with Winchester 1886 45-70's, capote coats, horse back etc. (just no black powder cartridges yikes!)

<Personally I feel this will be like shooting a cow in the field but should be some good eatin. ;)>

As usual thanks all for your input.

[ra_balke]

I have killed exactally ONE DEER with the 4570.
The bullet was a lee of about 420 grains, from ww metal, and a big load of 3031.

The deer, hit in the center chest, reacted as if it had been stabbed clean thru by a broom handle, then stood there looking at me, till I shot it again.

Were I to hunt buffalo with a 4570, I would make sure I had 400 grains of lead, high velosity, a flat nose, and I would want as soft a bullet as I could get and keep accuracy.

I would shoot side thru the side, at close range, and try to hit both lungs.


I would not use the famous Gould hollow point, it will expand just too fast for heavy game.
My opinion there only, as I have that mould but never killed any game with it.

[Old Ironsights]

At least 400gr. 500 would be better, but being able to put it exactly where you point it is most important.

[Buckshot]

................A buffalo can be big, but some buffalo hunts are merely culling out cows. Regardless if I were going to do it I'd use a 500 gr slug. Lee makes 2 outstanding 45 cal rifle hunting boolit designs. Thier 457-450F and the C457-500F and of these 2 I would use the heavier of the 2.

................Buckshot

[Lloyd Smale]

ive killed 5 now. 3 with a 500 line using 430-450 grain bullets. One with a 475 using a 360 grain bullet and one with a 44 mag and a 250. Buffalo a are big but a good hardcast bullet will pop right through them. If i was going to hunt with a 4570 id probably go with a good hardcast 405 with a flat nose. Driven at 1300fps or better it would be more then enough to penetrate a buffalo at about any angle. Keep in mind im talking 1000 lb cows not 2000 lb bulls. But id sure think it would work for them too.

[Ballard]

I used the RCBS 405 flat nose, ww+ a little tin. Water quenched. Loaded this bullet, with the old Keith load in a highwall. 1600 lb bull. Complete penetration.

[Just Duke]

I used the RCBS 405 flat nose, ww+ a little tin. Water quenched. Loaded this bullet, with the old Keith load in a highwall. 1600 lb bull. Complete penetration.

Holy TaTonka! Complete penetration. That would make me want to dance with wolves I would be so happy.

[nicholst55]

Not to hijack the thread, but I'd be careful with complete penetration. There was a soldier in Alaska who drew a buffalo tag, and used his .375 H&H; complete penetration - killed TWO buffs! Problem was that his tag was only good for one, and the Alaska F&G is noted for not having a sense of humor! Let's just say that was the most expensive bullet that guy ever bought. Even though it was an honest mistake, they really hosed him!

Things might no be so severe where you'll be hunting, but it's something to think about...

[winchester243]

Not to hijack the thread, but I'd be careful with complete penetration. There was a soldier in Alaska who drew a buffalo tag, and used his .375 H&H; complete penetration - killed TWO buffs! Problem was that his tag was only good for one, and the Alaska F&G is noted for not having a sense of humor! Let's just say that was the most expensive bullet that guy ever bought. Even though it was an honest mistake, they really hosed him!

Things might no be so severe where you'll be hunting, but it's something to think about...

I don't feel too sorry for him, he shouldn't have taken the shot if another buffalo was behind the one he was shooting at.

[Dr. A]

I've culled and shot way over 20-- I believe 27. Always had complete penetration with a .345 meplat and 405gr. They were going over 1800fps on impact. Quick merciful deaths. I did always have to worry about anything behind. No more bullet needed for me. Biggest bull a bit over 1700#

[Frank V]

Over penitration? There is no such thing! Except possibly in law enforcement. Be sure of your target & what is behind it. Frank

[725]

400+ gr, soft, 1200 fps and above. It's really mostly about shot placement and close enough for which ever load you settle on. Real slow?----- Get close.

[DJWright]

Have tried most weights from 300 grains, to 540 grain in the .45-70s. Have settled on a LBT style 475 grain bullet, with a meplat dia. of .382, from Mountain Moulds. It seems to hit harder than anything I've tried so far; best combination of weight and speed. Getting 1,550 fps with 45 grains AA 2495 and Federal 215 primers.

[6pt-sika]

If I was gonna use a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 and wanted to use cast bullet only .

I would cast a bunch of Ranch Dogs 460-425 GC bullets . And I would make the alloy 50% WW and 50% Lino ! Air cooled that should be hard enough to go stem to stern !

[Junior1942]

I'd use the Lee 457-450-F as it shoots best in both of my Handi-Rifle 45-70 barrels. The Junior Lubed bullet = pure lead over a lubed felt wad over slightly compressed Pyrodex RS. V = 1150 fps & through and through and DRT for a large whitetail buck.

[KCSO]

I've killed several and autopsied a few more killed with everything from a 30-30 to a 45-110. If I were shooting a 45-70 I would pick the most accurate load for my gun with a bullet between 300 and 420 grains. The 500's and above are overkill unless you are shooting at long range as they will and have shot throuogh TWO buffalo at 100 yards. I would use as soft an alloy as the gun wouuld shoot (1-30, 1-40) I shoot B?P in mine with about 1300 fps velocity, but with smokless i see no need to go over 1500. That is way plenty to drop a buff.

[Junior1942]

+1 to what KCSO said. Except a 30-30 can't kill a buffalo. It's only for small to smaller dog-size animals. That's what the gun rags say.

[Coastie]

Never shot a buffalo, but my 45-70 does well on elk. Two years ago with a 405 flat nose I shot a bull going away at an angle at about 75 yds. Entry through the left rear "ham" just in front of the bone through a belly full of browse, the bottom of the heart, part of a lung and out just behind the right front shoulder - yes, he piled up. Not the "best" place to shoot one, but that does give you some idea of penatration. Good Hunting!

[seabreeze133]

Not a buffalo hunter, but there is a rumer that u don't want to p..s em off, so, how about a Mk 19 grenade launcher.

Or...Bought my brother a 500 gr Lee mold and has been impressed w/it on paper. About 1300 fps. He follows this forum and may chime in.






What grain weight 45-70 would you guys use for a Buffalo Hunt?
The wife wants me to take her on several hunts about the US.
This would be a traditional hunt with Winchester 1886 45-70's, capote coats, horse back etc. (just no black powder cartridges yikes!)

<Personally I feel this will be like shooting a cow in the field but should be some good eatin. ;)>

As usual thanks all for your input.

[carpetman]

No doubt Ol Buckshot could give expert advice on bullets. Same with NVCurmudgeon. Whatever they say would work. But don't hire them for a guide. They don't know cow pattys from badgers. I can hear it now, hunter mistakenly shoots War Emblem(Kentucky Derby winner)thinking it was a buffalo.