Best 45-70 rifle

[Shootermick]

I’m sure I don’t really need one. But..... if I were to go down the path of a 45-70, what makes and models would people recommend? Marlin seems to be the most common over here, and I’ve got a 336 in 30-30, so nothing against the Remlins, but what else is worth a look??

[Oldbloke]

There are a few BOs made.
Baikel & Bergara BA13

Marlin lever mmmmmmm

[Shootermick]

There are a few BOs made.
Baikel & Bergara BA13

Marlin lever mmmmmmm

There’s a single shot Thomson Centre for sale on one of the sites at the moment too. It’s a fair bit of coin for a break open though.

[LawrenceA]

There are also Siamese Mauser conversions and Sharps and a plethora of traditional single shots including the original 45-70 the Springfield Trapdoor.
Having said that my go to for pigs is an old pre crossbolt Marlin in 45-70 with a red dot. I rarely get a second shot but it has enabled 2 or 3 from a mob vs 1.
Since showing my buddies the effectiveness of a lever action 2 have ditched their bolt actions in favour of a lever.
Having said that the bolt actions can take massive pressures compared to a lever. With light projectiles the 45-70 in a bolt comes damn close to a 458 Mag.
Effective it is, YEEESSS!!!

But I just got a 500 Jeffery which is catching up ground fast to becoming favorite!!!

[Bill]

Browning 1886 45-70, slick action decent barrel length of 26 inches. Pricey thou and not sure we ever had them land here ??

[Blr243]

Mine is a marlin 1895 ......everyone should have one .... Took me 35 years to realise this. I’m a slow learner.

[Shootermick]

Browning 1886 45-70, slick action decent barrel length of 26 inches. Pricey thou and not sure we ever had them land here ??

There is actually one on used guns for $2450. Maybe it’s a rare item in Oz.? Out of my price range all the same.

[Oldbloke]

I believe ammo is pricey.
The blokes I've met who have them reload and cast bullets.

A Martini action would be nice. Dont know if they come in it tho.

[Blr243]

4570 and 450 bushmaster are definitely worth reloading .......ppu Factory ammo In many cals is a dollar a shot. But a box of ppu 4570 is near 50 bucks

[No1_49er]

I’m sure I don’t really need one. But..... if I were to go down the path of a 45-70, what makes and models would people recommend? Marlin seems to be the most common over here, and I’ve got a 336 in 30-30, so nothing against the Remlins, but what else is worth a look??

Ruger No 1

[boingk]

Marlin 1895GBL - full length tube mag carrying 6 rounds, with a 'big loop' lever and laminate timber stock. Looks good IMO and a great rifle to use. Practical, accurate, awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePkg90XoUkw

[1886]

Browning 1886 45-70, slick action decent barrel length of 26 inches. Pricey thou and not sure we ever had them land here ??

Can't dispute this

Mate, sell the wife or do whatever it takes and get a Browning 1886 as it will never lose value and they are awesome.

Mines really fancy being a SRC High Grade 1/3000 model with gold inlays and engraving etc but as a shooter its unbeatable and the 45/70 packs a punch. Its stablemate is a 1/1000 1885 Bi Centennial single shot that is super high grade with an abundance of engraving.

http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~ozrunner/graphics/My%20Brownings.jpg

[LawrenceA]

I believe ammo is pricey.
The blokes I've met who have them reload and cast bullets.

A Martini action would be nice. Dont know if they come in it tho.

You see some Martini's around from rebarrels but they are a low pressure proposition. The action will take it but the extractor won't. Having said this Smokeless loads for martinis would not be hard to find I don't think.

Yes I would not want to be feeding a 45-70 with factory ammo.
Actually I don't like feeding anything factory ammo if I can help it.
As you mention I handload.
For my Trapdoor I use 65gn fffg and a 320 Gould HP or 405gn solid bullet. Has worked with good effect on piggies and is above the original cavalry load and almost the regular early Army load.
In the Marlin I use a mid range amount of 2207 behind a 320 HP. Also works damn well on pigs.
Mate of mine shot a giant pig with a Martini I loaded with the same pill. This is the only time we did not get pass through and in this case the bullet was damn near flat and stopped just under the skin on the far side. Good weight retention as well.
Reloads come out at about 40cents a shot.

There are a number of Australian suppliers of cast bullets and these are more than suitable considering the operating velocities of the 45-70.

[LawrenceA]

Thought I would point out that a 45 long colt in a decent action kicks butt, again, with smaller weight bullets.
But you have to handload for it.

[JimTom]

Mate I went down this path quite a few months back. I thought I needed a 45/70. Still do think I need one.
I was looking at the Marlin SBL with the skinner peep sight on it. Was sold on it, only thing that stopped me was that I was unable to get one from my local for an estimated 12 months so I went a little cold on the idea.
I think if you want one then go for it mate. I like the Marlin mate, in saying that I’ve not fired one and they have been subject to some adverse press from time to time.

[No1Mk3]

I believe ammo is pricey.
The blokes I've met who have them reload and cast bullets.

A Martini action would be nice. Dont know if they come in it tho.

G'day Oldbloke,
I have a Martini Henry Mk1 Artillery Carbine issued to the Royal Irish Constabulary chambered in 45-70, it is an absolute cracker! As for OP, 1873 Trapdoor Springfield, mine is a naildriver out to 500m and a very quick eject, Cheers

[bigpete]

If I could,I'd have a Siamese mauser in one. But instead I've got a baikal double rifle

[Bello]

Hello Shootermick
The 45-70 is fun to shoot. I have a Marlin 1895. This is a popular rifle. Lots of part around if you ever have any issues.
Mine is loaded a bit hot and out to 100meters its fairly accurate.
You must note: The 45-70 kicks like a mule.
If hand loading, and using the Hornady 325gr FTX you MUST trim your cases.

The question I would ask is: why do you want a 45-70. Is it to have fun, or to hunt with.
If hunting, what is you target species for this calibre.

Sometimes there may be more friendly calibres to hunt different types of game. I find that the 45-70 is more for close contact, hard hitting, not the best past 100 meters. That's not to say that post 100 meters its not effecive, it is, I find some other calibres to be easier/more confortable to hunt with.

I ask this because I was at the range a little while ago and this guy took his mate and the mates son out for their first shoot.
He kept pushing them to use the 45-70. Understandably they were shying away from the 45-70.
It was plain as day that this fellow was an idiot.
Newbies should be eased into different calibres not given a 45-70 on their first outing.

My 2c
Happy shopping

[SCJ429]

I’m sure I don’t really need one. But..... if I were to go down the path of a 45-70, what makes and models would people recommend? Marlin seems to be the most common over here, and I’ve got a 336 in 30-30, so nothing against the Remlins, but what else is worth a look??

Ruger No 1

I have to agree here, beautiful and the strongest action around.

[bigpete]

Ha ha,45-70 kicks like a mule ? Lol

[Gamerancher]

Do it properly and get an 1874 Sharps, preferably a Shiloh but a Pedersoli will suffice.
Good set of vernier tang sights and globe up front.
70 grains of blackpowder and a 530 grain cast bullet and your good to go for 1000 yards+

[LawrenceA]

Do it properly and get an 1874 Sharps, preferably a Shiloh but a Pedersoli will suffice.
Good set of vernier tang sights and globe up front.
70 grains of blackpowder and a 530 grain cast bullet and your good to go for 1000 yards+

Get both a Sharps and a Marlin.
Use the nickel brass for the Sharps and normal for the Marlin.

[bigrich]

To the OP , I was thinking about a 45-70 myself a while ago for a scrub heavy hitter. Lever’s are quick for a follow up shot too. But like someone else mentioned, bolt guns can handle hotter loads. I originally looked at 35 whelen as something that had power as well as accurate reach as a alternative caliber to the 45-70 ,and the ability to make my own brass from 30-06 cases. In the end as I had a push feed 70 Winchester I went with 358 win for the same reasons as above. 358 win at 20-50 yards hunting pigs knocks them flat I’ll tell ya ! While showing impressive accuracy at range. I still like the idea of a 45-70, but my 358 does the job and I’ve got so much 308 brass I’ve been given to resize I’ll never worry about brass
Just my perspective on the 45-70 question . If it floats ya boat go for it . I had one in a CVA stainless scout rifle.

Good luck with your choices

[Gamerancher]

There's a Pedersoli Long range on "(ab)usedguns" right now.
By the way, the Bison hunters used to manage up to 100+ from one "stand" with single shots.

[bigpete]

To the OP , I was thinking about a 45-70 myself a while ago for a scrub heavy hitter. Lever’s are quick for a follow up shot too. But like someone else mentioned, bolt guns can handle hotter loads. I originally looked at 35 whelen as something that had power as well as accurate reach as a alternative caliber to the 45-70 ,and the ability to make my own brass from 30-06 cases. In the end as I had a push feed 70 Winchester I went with 358 win for the same reasons as above. 358 win at 20-50 yards hunting pigs knocks them flat I’ll tell ya ! While showing impressive accuracy at range. I still like the idea of a 45-70, but my 358 does the job and I’ve got so much 308 brass I’ve been given to resize I’ll never worry about brass
Just my perspective on the 45-70 question . If it floats ya boat go for it . I had one in a CVA stainless scout rifle.

Good luck with your choices

So ya got into some pigs with it did ya ? Noice

[Shootermick]

Hello Shootermick
The 45-70 is fun to shoot. I have a Marlin 1895. This is a popular rifle. Lots of part around if you ever have any issues.
Mine is loaded a bit hot and out to 100meters its fairly accurate.
You must note: The 45-70 kicks like a mule.
If hand loading, and using the Hornady 325gr FTX you MUST trim your cases.

The question I would ask is: why do you want a 45-70. Is it to have fun, or to hunt with.
If hunting, what is you target species for this calibre.

Sometimes there may be more friendly calibres to hunt different types of game. I find that the 45-70 is more for close contact, hard hitting, not the best past 100 meters. That's not to say that post 100 meters its not effecive, it is, I find some other calibres to be easier/more confortable to hunt with.

I ask this because I was at the range a little while ago and this guy took his mate and the mates son out for their first shoot.
He kept pushing them to use the 45-70. Understandably they were shying away from the 45-70.
It was plain as day that this fellow was an idiot.
Newbies should be eased into different calibres not given a 45-70 on their first outing.

My 2c
Happy shopping

Main use would be for hunting. I’d like to sell my 7600 in 308 and buy myself another lever instead. The 7600 is really a good rifle, but I’ve just never taken to the pump like I have my lever action rifles.
So maybe a better option would just be a 308 lever, either a Henry Long Ranger, which is no doubt scarce at the moment, or a Browning BLR. I’d even go down to a 243, no pigs around here, just Roos.

[Oldbloke]

I would like a 45-70. But the reality is a 243, 308, 30'06, or 270 (& a few others) are all more sensible for hunting in OZ.

[bigrich]

I would like a 45-70. But the reality is a 243, 308, 30'06, or 270 (& a few others) are all more sensible for hunting in OZ.

That’s the conclusion I came too OB . 45-70 is a great classic round, but as I had a 243 donor rifle for a project, I thought 358 win would do the same job as a heavy hitting scrub gun without excessive recoil or running cost .My other medium game rifles are a tikka m55 243 as a lightweight carry rifle, and a 270 sako for reach and carrying hitting power further out.
I’ve bought and sold about 20 lever and bolt guns in the last four years and these three that I have now seem to be a flexible group for any circumstance
Others probably have different requirements, but I’m happy with mine

[bigrich]

To the OP , I was thinking about a 45-70 myself a while ago for a scrub heavy hitter. Lever’s are quick for a follow up shot too. But like someone else mentioned, bolt guns can handle hotter loads. I originally looked at 35 whelen as something that had power as well as accurate reach as a alternative caliber to the 45-70 ,and the ability to make my own brass from 30-06 cases. In the end as I had a push feed 70 Winchester I went with 358 win for the same reasons as above. 358 win at 20-50 yards hunting pigs knocks them flat I’ll tell ya ! While showing impressive accuracy at range. I still like the idea of a 45-70, but my 358 does the job and I’ve got so much 308 brass I’ve been given to resize I’ll never worry about brass
Just my perspective on the 45-70 question . If it floats ya boat go for it . I had one in a CVA stainless scout rifle.

Good luck with your choices

So ya got into some pigs with it did ya ? Noice

Yeah mate, 225 Sierra game kings are silly accurate in my rifle, but have a funny result at close range. They didn’t exit, just exploded in the chest cavity leaving pulp. They dropped on the spot without a twitch. That’s the attraction of a 45-70 , big energy transfer. I’m going to try woodleigh 225 round nose next as these should expand well and give a great exit wound. I would expect the 45-70 to be flexible on results according to bullet construction as well

I love playing with ballistics

[Oldbloke]

45-70, 308 270 doesn't matter, dead is dead