45-70 Govt. Effectiveness on game animals between 1150 and 1350fps.

Hello guys! My inquiry is more to do with the following. I am using a 420 grain ranch dog style flat point.

What is your observations of the 45-70’s effectiveness with a 420 bullet going 1075 fps vs. A bullet going around 1300 fps?

I have a light weight Pro-hunter rifle with a 20” katadin barrel mounted on it.

Once the velocities get up around 1350-1400 fps, the snappy recoil starts to diminish the enjoyment of shooting the rifle.

If I keep velocities around 1150-1250, it is MUCH more pleasant to shoot!

I live in Northern Alberta Canada, and will shoot elk and some deer with it.
Have any of you noticed a big difference in killing potential between these velocity ranges?

I know the the 45-70 will kill game either way, but how noticeable of a difference does it make?

The last elk I shot with the 45-70 was with a 350 hornady flat point at 2222 fps average. It was certainly a decisive kill!

I would expect no problems with killing power at 1200fps. My load out of my guide gun is a 405 cast at 435 going about 1500 and it's had no problem killing deer. Understand elk are larger but it exited the deer just fine.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

It will do just fine. An untold number of deer, hogs and an elk have fallen to a similar load.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sharps4590

It will do just fine. An untold number of deer, hogs and an elk have fallen to a similar load.

---

Not to mention a similar load almost drove the American Bison to extinction.
Hunt, and kill away!!
Rick

This is just my opinion. The higher velocity makes longer shots a bit easier, and not substantially (some, but not substantially) increase the lethality of the bullet! Likely, either will give an exit wound. The higher velocity round will give a little larger, temporary wound channel! Any bone fragmented by the higher velocity bullet “may” travel a bit farther due to the somewhat higher impact velocity causing more secondary damage, caused by the higher velocity impact! memtb

Thank you gentleman! I will proceed to hunt with the 1100-1200fps load that shoots the best. ��

There is a rn385gr I use in 45/70 and 458 win it is a lot easier on the shoulder and hits just as hard I have used it many times if you wish to try a little lighter bullet

I see no reason to drive your 420gr bullet over 1200 to 1300 fps. Sighted 1" high at 100yds it should easily be good for 150yds. 200 yds with a little practice with the load. Weight = momentum. Momentum = penetration. I base this on my own in the field experiences.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by memtb

This is just my opinion. The higher velocity makes longer shots a bit easier, not substantially (some, but not substantially) increase the lethality of the bullet! Likely, either will give an exit wound. The higher velocity round will give a little larger, temporary wound channel! Any bone fragmented by the higher velocity bullet “may” travel a bit farther due to the somewhat higher impact velocity causing more secondary damage, caused by the higher velocity impact! memtb

---

When you try to push velocity for flatter trajectory, you need to make a 300 fps increase in speed to appreciably flatten trajectory in any cartridge. The gain is not usable by the common rifleman.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by waksupi

When you try to push velocity for flatter trajectory, you need to make a 300 fps increase in speed to appreciably flatten trajectory in any cartridge. The gain is not usable by the common rifleman.

---

You’re probably right.....430’s @ 1790 fps from my GG recoils less (felt recoil) than my wife’s hunting rifle. But, she’s not your common “rifleman”! :bigsmyl2: memtb

Never shot an elk but a 405 cast boolit going about 1050 will certainly go thru a large sized whitetail from stem to stern. In the front and out the rear end, ole whitey may take 3 steps. Very little recoil and not loud out of my Henry. It works.

I shot a Trapdoor rifle using a 535 gr Lee Cast bullet at the low end for 3033 and can not see a difference in the killing power. I will say it is much easier on my shoulder than a max load. I shot the same load in a Sharps and a Browning. I like using black powder as it has a push not a rap when touching it off.

What velocities do you get with the low-end load of 3033?






.

Around 1200-1250 fps using a 405 RNFP hard cast in my Marlin 95. Have not checked my single shoot Sharps as son shot my unit.

Attachment 288747 doe shot with a ruger #3 in 45-70, 400 gr CB at 1400 fps. dead is dead. my trackers name is ray charles.

A few ago, in Saskatchewan, 525 pound wild boar. Winchester M86, 45-70, 350 grain bullet, 70 grains KIK FFG..............80 yards.
More than enough power for most game in NA.

Attachment 288750 Attachment 288751

This was a 305 grain JHP from.a Winchester 1886 at 62 yards, never took a step.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RickinTN

Not to mention a similar load almost drove the American Bison to extinction.
Hunt, and kill away!!
Rick

---

Perfect Reply!!!

Not to mention "ethics" had no part in the old west.

The Indians kept a many a soldier pinned down from 800 yards at Reno's defense line with the 405 after Custer fell. They kept troops pinned down with Henry's and Winchester's out to 300 yards. THAT is an Awesome example of what is considered "Effective"!

"Effectiveness" depends on what one's objective is and the ability of which to complete!

I can't remember the exact speed of the original BP load used when the Army was developing it, and the trap door Springfield.
I think it was about 1300 fps.

Anyway-
In the Army's extensive tests for accuracy and killing power:
If the marksman did their part, it would take a man off a horse at 1,000 yards.

Of the 3 deer I shot with mine, none took another step.
One received a 75 yd. quartering shot through the vitals, upon exit, the 405 at 1400 fps blew its front leg off.

Use the softest lead you can. Even though the boolit is large in diameter, mushrooming helps. You are not looking to go in one side and out the other.