Another one followed me home…

[Dman75]

Found a new Ruger made Marlin at a LGS. Somehow this 45-70 followed me home. First 45-70 for me. I’ve only loaded cast for 30-30, 44 Mag, and 30-06. Will be looking for some good load data. Did buy a box of j-words to shoot but plan to only use cast afterwards. Put my scope down the barrel…looks really good. Better than my Remlin 44 mag for sure! All the edges are smooth at the lever and loading gate seems good. I’ll know better tomorrow after I shoot a few. Any type of mold I should be looking for? Thinking of something in the 350gr range but would like to know what’ll work best.

[Winger Ed.]

[ Thinking of something in the 350gr range but would like to know what’ll work best.

Wise choice.
The heavy boolits will have you questioning which end is more dangerous than the other.

[Half Dog]

Well, “Feed it, water it, and it will be your best friend.”

[Dman75]

Lol. I kinda figured the heavy end will wake ya up - or put you out��. One of the things that I like is how much variety can be done reloading. Mouse fart to ***. Really excited to play with this caliber.

[GregLaROCHE]

Your a lucky guy. 45/70 is my favorite round, however, sometimes I dream about getting a 45/90.

[BLAHUT]

I LOAD A LEE, 515 gr, PURE LEAD, C57500F, .457, OL 2.55, OVER, 27grs, 5744, FOR MY BEAR LOAD, FOR FISHING.
Dangerous ON BOTH ENDS>> 5 SHOTS, ONE RAGGED HOLE AT 100 yds>>

[Wag]

Very nice!

--Wag--

[Dman75]

Going to go feed it this afternoon. Should be a blast!

[RickinTN]

Tom at Accuratemolds.com made a 365 grain mold for mine. It has his "Marlin" nose and feeds and shoots great. I suggest a .460" diameter. I shoot 12 grains of Unique in mine and it is quite comfortable, not your hot-rodded 45-70 at all. It should be between 1,100 and 1,200 fps but I haven't chronographed it. I can get you the mold number if you like.
Congrats on a nice rifle, hope you enjoy it!
Rick

[Wayne Smith]

I'll still recommend the old reliable, Lyman 457122 Gould hp.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I like the RCBS 45-300 FN GasCheck, excellent accuracy out to 300 yards plus, mostly reasonable recoil. Can go 2200 fps for flat trajectory but you will notice recoil going that fast. Usually shoots through elk, will run through deer stem to stern. Heavier bullets just take more lead. You might want something heavier if you are shooting past 400-500 yards, but mostly the 300 grain works, economical and effective for most purposes.

[lead collector]

Is that thing as short as it looks? If so, I bet that would be a hand full...

Good luck taming that beast down.

[stubshaft]

Pretty looking gun. I have five 45/70 (4 levers and 1 bolt gun) now and am waiting for #6 from Shiloh Sharps. Once you start shooting them, they seem to multiply!

[Dman75]

Oh it’s short. 16” barrel. Shot the Federal Fusion 300 gr loads last weekend. Wasn’t bad at all. I imagine a 400+ gr load at a 1500 fps+ will get your attention. I plan on cast 350-400 gr at about 1300 fps if I can get the accuracy. Figure it’ll handle whatever I aim it at.

[fordwannabe]

I love the 45-70 for the variety of loads you can make. My normal hunting load is a 300 grain j word that makes itty bitty groups. I also shoot shot shells that I load(45-90 crimped over a overshot wad to 45-70 overall length), and suppressed 350-600 grain subsonics that I powder coat. If you can't find a load for EVERYTHING with the 45-70 you aren't trying hard enough.