45-70 Deer bullets

brinky · November 24, 2009, 01:53 PM

What is the best or which one has worked the best for Whitetail deer in the 45-70 for ranges 50-150 yds? I've used the Hornady Leverevolution loads this year in my #1 and they seemed to pin holed both deer I shot. Granted one slipped between the ribs on both sides but the other broke two on the way in and one on the way out but the hole was about the size of nickel on both sides. I bought the ammo because I like the Hornady brass but so far not impressed with loads. Both deer I hit shuttered and nearly fell over but recovered and ran about 75 yds with out spilling a drop of blood. Both hits were in the engine room just behind the shoulder double lunging one and single lung,heart and clipping the liver on the other. Both holes plugged with fat but I think if I had a softer bullet that expanded better this would not have happened. I used the Hornady 350 grain flat point in a 450 Marlin with good results but cant tell by Hornady's site if they still offer it or if they are going to a 300 grain. I heard the Remington 405 Grain and the Speer 400 grain are softer and work good on deer. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

B78-22250 · November 24, 2009, 02:02 PM

I have posted these loads many times here on this forum. They are proven deer killers and sub moa out of my NEF single shot. I use starline brass,CCI br2 primer.50 gr reloader 7, and a 300 gr Sierra jhp. The next load is the same
but uses a 400 gr Speer jfp. No problem with blood trails. Hope this helps.

USMC Vet · November 24, 2009, 02:34 PM

Sorry, but just not a fan of plastic tipped bullets,Hornady's or anyone else's. What I am presently using in my Marlin guide gun is: Starline brass, Fed. 210 l.r. primer, 46.0 gr. of IMR 4198 for about 1900 f.p.s. Hornady makes 2 350 gr. jsp's. One is a round nose, the other a flat point. One, or perhaps both of these 350s is an interlock constructed bullet that may be a bit too solidly built for light deer. I would use the "lighter" bullet for most deer. I am though, very partial to the hornady 350 interlock for all around use. Hope this helps.
USMC Vet

Sam06 · November 24, 2009, 03:47 PM

I like Lead bullets moving Medimum speed. The bullet I like the most is a 425gr Cast with ReL 7. In my TC I shoot the 350gr Speer JHP.

But I like Lead in a slow moving bullet like the 45-70. It hits hard and penetrates well.

Edward429451 · November 24, 2009, 06:38 PM

Last year I used the Lyman mould 400 gr FP for my 1895 over a generous amount of RL 7 and that Mule Deer was DRT with a spine shot. Dropped like a rock.

2003flht · November 24, 2009, 07:15 PM

300gr Hornady JHP, Rem case, 52gr Hogdgon H322 in my Marlin 1895s (my load, please work up, it is hot!). Never failed to drop a deer in their tracks. Blood trail? More like a blood puddle... that the deer is lying in!

I bought 500 of the Hornady's several years ago. I like them alot. Been getting 1/2-3/4 groups at 50 yards with these and under 2" at 100yds. Open sights!

I have been working a load recently with 405gr Beartooth Bullets, because I ran out of the 300 grain JHP. I seem to be doing good with 50gr of H322 with these. Getting the same grouping at 50 & 100 yards as the 300 grainers. I'm sure they'll do just great on deer too.

Flapjack23 · November 25, 2009, 03:14 PM

I'd speculate that the factory loads were loaded light, resulting in your less than stellar expansion. My brother and I have been working up some loads for his .45/70 with 300G HP's. A lot faster than factory, with the shoulder thump to go with it.

Quote:

300gr Hornady JHP, Rem case, 52gr Hogdgon H322 in my Marlin 1895s (my load, please work up, it is hot!).

That sounds about like what we are working up, have you chronoed it? How fast you moving?

Andy

2003flht · November 25, 2009, 06:05 PM

I havent put them through a chrono yet. I estimate around 1800-1900fps though. According to the article on 45-70 loads. They tested up to 54 gr, but I havent even thought of going that far... this loads smacks ya pretty good!

the 405's have a little more thump to them too.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/marlin_4570.htm

dodge · November 27, 2009, 08:25 AM

I use the Starline, Remington, or Hornady brass, 44 gr IMR 4198, CCI 200 primers and the Hornady 350 FN for a velocity of 1800 fps out of my guide gun. Although I do use a William's WGRS peep sight instead of the factory buckhorn sights. I have shot groups with this that you would think that a varmint rifle had shot them they're that tight. I've only taken one deer with this and when I shot the deer was down so quick that I lost sight of her during recoil that I thought that I had missed her.

TX Nimrod · November 27, 2009, 11:08 PM

These are just deer for goodness sakes, not moose - no need for 'heavy' bullets. A 300-grain bullet is plenty. I have killed over a dozen deer with 300-grain HPs from Hornady and Remington, both work about the same. They will expand down to around 1100 fps and can penetrate a deer from stem to stern if not driven too fast. For shots out to 150 yards a MV of 1800-1900 is plenty. I found the old Hornady 350 RN a bit too tough for deer but fine for caribou and moose.

In a Ruger #1 pressure is not a problem although recoil can be. 300-grain loads with IMR4198, Reloder 7 and AA2015 are all good and are usually accurate.

.

kraigwy · November 29, 2009, 11:50 AM

Millions of buffalo have been killed by the Armys 405 grn lead bullet going about 12-1300 fps at some pretty long ranges.

I dont know why one would need some high priced super duper bullet going the speed of light for shooting deer at 150 or so yards.

But thats just me.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · November 29, 2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Millions of buffalo have been killed by the Armys 405 grn lead bullet going about 12-1300 fps at some pretty long ranges.

I dont know why one would need some high priced super duper bullet going the speed of light for shooting deer at 150 or so yards.

But thats just me.

Agreed.

Farmland · November 29, 2009, 06:40 PM

I will get an opportunity to try out the Hornady Leverevolution 45-70 ammunition tomorrow's opening day of deer season. I am really looking forward to this since it is the first time I will have used a lever rifle for deer.

So far the round has been outstanding at 150 yards from a bench rest, though I will admit my eyes struggle to adjust to open sites again.

I expect my actual shot will be in the 50-70 yard range so accuracy will not be a problem. I'm not worried about the plastic tip because from the reading I have done the bullet has performed well in deer. Though the best test is doing it your self.

If I have the result I expect to then I will start reloading this bullet myself.

The only thing I have to say about this combination of round and Marlin rifle is that it beats the heck out of my shoulder after a few shots. So far I have shot 10 boxes since I bought the rifle to learn how it does in the field.

flashhole · November 29, 2009, 08:24 PM

What's a deer? I've heard about such creatures but have yet to see the allusive Mr. Buckzilla when sitting in the woods with Mr. 45-70 and tricked out handloads anxious to show their stuff. Can someone post a picture of one?

aaalaska · November 29, 2009, 10:35 PM

While I've never shot a whitetail with the 45/70 I have shot moose and black bear and from the performance of the 300 gr jhp on bear I'd say it should do the job on whitetail. Tends to leave a very large exit on even small bear.
Alex

Al57 · November 30, 2009, 09:30 AM

For several head of whitetail from my 45-70 Handi, I used a bulk Rem. 300 gr. jhp on top of 52 grs. of IMR 3031 ( about 1675 FPS ), and it performed very well with broadside shots. Total pass throughs, large exit holes, easy blood trails, and deer would stop after 20-40 yards.
Then one season I hit a very large buck quartering to me in the shoulder socket with the above load. At the shot , he wheeled, with an obvious broken shoulder, and ran about 50 yards over an open pasture, leaving no blood trail whatsoever. Had I been hunting in thick cover, there is a chance I could have lost that buck. The bullet was found under the hide on the far side.
Since that day, I switched to a Rem. 405 gr. JSP on top of 32 grs. of IMR 4198 ( about 1350 FPS ). It stops corn fed bucks just as quickly and guarantees an exit hole and blood trail.

November 24, 2009, 02:02 PM	#2
B78-22250 Member Join Date: May 24, 2009 Location: Eden NC Posts: 56	45/70 deer loads I have posted these loads many times here on this forum. They are proven deer killers and sub moa out of my NEF single shot. I use starline brass,CCI br2 primer.50 gr reloader 7, and a 300 gr Sierra jhp. The next load is the same but uses a 400 gr Speer jfp. No problem with blood trails. Hope this helps.

November 24, 2009, 02:34 PM	#3
USMC Vet Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: S.E. New Hampshire Posts: 30	45-70 deer loads Sorry, but just not a fan of plastic tipped bullets,Hornady's or anyone else's. What I am presently using in my Marlin guide gun is: Starline brass, Fed. 210 l.r. primer, 46.0 gr. of IMR 4198 for about 1900 f.p.s. Hornady makes 2 350 gr. jsp's. One is a round nose, the other a flat point. One, or perhaps both of these 350s is an interlock constructed bullet that may be a bit too solidly built for light deer. I would use the "lighter" bullet for most deer. I am though, very partial to the hornady 350 interlock for all around use. Hope this helps. USMC Vet

November 24, 2009, 03:47 PM	#4
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	I like Lead bullets moving Medimum speed. The bullet I like the most is a 425gr Cast with ReL 7. In my TC I shoot the 350gr Speer JHP. But I like Lead in a slow moving bullet like the 45-70. It hits hard and penetrates well. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

November 24, 2009, 07:15 PM	#6
2003flht Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 199	300gr Hornady JHP, Rem case, 52gr Hogdgon H322 in my Marlin 1895s (my load, please work up, it is hot!). Never failed to drop a deer in their tracks. Blood trail? More like a blood puddle... that the deer is lying in! I bought 500 of the Hornady's several years ago. I like them alot. Been getting 1/2-3/4 groups at 50 yards with these and under 2" at 100yds. Open sights! I have been working a load recently with 405gr Beartooth Bullets, because I ran out of the 300 grain JHP. I seem to be doing good with 50gr of H322 with these. Getting the same grouping at 50 & 100 yards as the 300 grainers. I'm sure they'll do just great on deer too. __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...Wow! What a ride!" Give a Liberal a fish, he'll ask for seconds. Teach a Liberal to fish, he'll sign up for unemployment... Last edited by 2003flht; November 24, 2009 at 08:38 PM.

November 25, 2009, 06:05 PM	#8
2003flht Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 199	I havent put them through a chrono yet. I estimate around 1800-1900fps though. According to the article on 45-70 loads. They tested up to 54 gr, but I havent even thought of going that far... this loads smacks ya pretty good! the 405's have a little more thump to them too. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/marlin_4570.htm __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...Wow! What a ride!" Give a Liberal a fish, he'll ask for seconds. Teach a Liberal to fish, he'll sign up for unemployment...

November 24, 2009, 01:53 PM	#1
brinky Junior Member Join Date: June 17, 2009 Location: Cedar Springs, MI. 20 Miles due north of Grand Rapids Posts: 5	45-70 Deer bullets What is the best or which one has worked the best for Whitetail deer in the 45-70 for ranges 50-150 yds? I've used the Hornady Leverevolution loads this year in my #1 and they seemed to pin holed both deer I shot. Granted one slipped between the ribs on both sides but the other broke two on the way in and one on the way out but the hole was about the size of nickel on both sides. I bought the ammo because I like the Hornady brass but so far not impressed with loads. Both deer I hit shuttered and nearly fell over but recovered and ran about 75 yds with out spilling a drop of blood. Both hits were in the engine room just behind the shoulder double lunging one and single lung,heart and clipping the liver on the other. Both holes plugged with fat but I think if I had a softer bullet that expanded better this would not have happened. I used the Hornady 350 grain flat point in a 450 Marlin with good results but cant tell by Hornady's site if they still offer it or if they are going to a 300 grain. I heard the Remington 405 Grain and the Speer 400 grain are softer and work good on deer. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. __________________ The more I know of mankind the more I like my dogs.

November 24, 2009, 06:38 PM	#5
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Last year I used the Lyman mould 400 gr FP for my 1895 over a generous amount of RL 7 and that Mule Deer was DRT with a spine shot. Dropped like a rock.

November 27, 2009, 08:25 AM	#9
dodge Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2001 Location: ridgerunner from Northern PA Posts: 291	I use the Starline, Remington, or Hornady brass, 44 gr IMR 4198, CCI 200 primers and the Hornady 350 FN for a velocity of 1800 fps out of my guide gun. Although I do use a William's WGRS peep sight instead of the factory buckhorn sights. I have shot groups with this that you would think that a varmint rifle had shot them they're that tight. I've only taken one deer with this and when I shot the deer was down so quick that I lost sight of her during recoil that I thought that I had missed her.

November 27, 2009, 11:08 PM	#10
TX Nimrod Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2009 Location: Zona Posts: 423	These are just deer for goodness sakes, not moose - no need for 'heavy' bullets. A 300-grain bullet is plenty. I have killed over a dozen deer with 300-grain HPs from Hornady and Remington, both work about the same. They will expand down to around 1100 fps and can penetrate a deer from stem to stern if not driven too fast. For shots out to 150 yards a MV of 1800-1900 is plenty. I found the old Hornady 350 RN a bit too tough for deer but fine for caribou and moose. In a Ruger #1 pressure is not a problem although recoil can be. 300-grain loads with IMR4198, Reloder 7 and AA2015 are all good and are usually accurate. .

November 29, 2009, 11:50 AM	#11
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Millions of buffalo have been killed by the Armys 405 grn lead bullet going about 12-1300 fps at some pretty long ranges. I dont know why one would need some high priced super duper bullet going the speed of light for shooting deer at 150 or so yards. But thats just me. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

November 29, 2009, 06:40 PM	#13
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	I will get an opportunity to try out the Hornady Leverevolution 45-70 ammunition tomorrow's opening day of deer season. I am really looking forward to this since it is the first time I will have used a lever rifle for deer. So far the round has been outstanding at 150 yards from a bench rest, though I will admit my eyes struggle to adjust to open sites again. I expect my actual shot will be in the 50-70 yard range so accuracy will not be a problem. I'm not worried about the plastic tip because from the reading I have done the bullet has performed well in deer. Though the best test is doing it your self. If I have the result I expect to then I will start reloading this bullet myself. The only thing I have to say about this combination of round and Marlin rifle is that it beats the heck out of my shoulder after a few shots. So far I have shot 10 boxes since I bought the rifle to learn how it does in the field.

November 29, 2009, 08:24 PM	#14
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	What's a deer? I've heard about such creatures but have yet to see the allusive Mr. Buckzilla when sitting in the woods with Mr. 45-70 and tricked out handloads anxious to show their stuff. Can someone post a picture of one? __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

November 29, 2009, 10:35 PM	#15
aaalaska Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2007 Location: Palmer Ak Posts: 319	45/70 While I've never shot a whitetail with the 45/70 I have shot moose and black bear and from the performance of the 300 gr jhp on bear I'd say it should do the job on whitetail. Tends to leave a very large exit on even small bear. Alex

November 30, 2009, 09:30 AM	#16
Al57 Member Join Date: December 5, 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 69	For several head of whitetail from my 45-70 Handi, I used a bulk Rem. 300 gr. jhp on top of 52 grs. of IMR 3031 ( about 1675 FPS ), and it performed very well with broadside shots. Total pass throughs, large exit holes, easy blood trails, and deer would stop after 20-40 yards. Then one season I hit a very large buck quartering to me in the shoulder socket with the above load. At the shot , he wheeled, with an obvious broken shoulder, and ran about 50 yards over an open pasture, leaving no blood trail whatsoever. Had I been hunting in thick cover, there is a chance I could have lost that buck. The bullet was found under the hide on the far side. Since that day, I switched to a Rem. 405 gr. JSP on top of 32 grs. of IMR 4198 ( about 1350 FPS ). It stops corn fed bucks just as quickly and guarantees an exit hole and blood trail.