45/70 for Elk?

RickE · October 13, 2013, 10:50 PM

Greetings, I have a model 70 in 300 win mag, and a older Marlin 336 (30/30). I hunt the rather thick Eastern Washington slopes of the Cascade mountains. I know my .300 is plenty, and my 30-30 is marginal, but who out there has used a 45-70 for Elk. I am aware of the distance limitations. Buffalo Bore has some potent (flat nosed) Ammo, and the Hornady Lever revolution may extend the usable range and still have the knockdown needed. Maybe you can tell I have my sights on a new rifle (Henry).

Wyosmith · October 13, 2013, 10:58 PM

I know several men in Wyoming that use the 45-70.
It's quite effective. The old black powder load of a 500 grain bullet and 70 grains of powder killed LOTS of buffalo in the 1870s-1880s so don't be afraid to used one. I'd recommend against the 300 grain hollow points, but all the bullets I am aware of from 350 to 550 are just fine, and any velocity from 1150 to 1900 will work, but going as fast as you can is really unnecessary.

1200-1500 is going to kill anything you hit, as long as you hit in the right place.

tahunua001 · October 13, 2013, 11:11 PM

my brother in law killed his cow elk with a 4570 last winter. good gun for it as long as you keep it within 200 yards.

Rifleman1776 · October 14, 2013, 08:13 AM

The 45/70 is a well known whomper-stomper. It will kill anything on the continent quite effectively. Within it's fairly limited range.

The Big Game Hunter · October 14, 2013, 06:11 PM

As long as you take close range shots, the .45-70 is an outstanding cartridge for elk. However, that shouldn't be an issue if you're hunting the Cascades in Washington. Just make sure you use heavy, controlled expansion bullets for it. For instance, I know Swift makes a 400gr .458 caliber A-Frame, which would be absolutely deadly on elk at close range.

Good luck to you out there!

Old Stony · October 14, 2013, 06:49 PM

How could a properly placed 45/70 not do a proper job on an elk? Many buffalo fell to cast bullets out of them. Considering the weights of those bullets, they certainly should have no penetration problems.

Buzzcook · October 15, 2013, 01:52 PM

If you have a range finder, know how your bullet drops at that range, and have a good adjustable scope, there isn't much of a range limitation for a .45-70.

I've seen tons of elk around Winthrop and Okanogan Co. over the years, good luck.

Dirty_Harry · October 15, 2013, 02:55 PM

The 45-70 will put meat on the table!

Proper bullet selection and your .30-30 would be fine also! (within reasonable distances)

Kreyzhorse · October 16, 2013, 06:59 PM

Learn your ballistics but a 45-70 would be an excellent elk gun. It can get tricky to shoot beyond 150 yards but those big heavy bullets will certainly put a thump on an elk.

October 13, 2013, 10:50 PM	#1
RickE Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Location: Kirkland Wa. Posts: 516	45/70 for Elk? Greetings, I have a model 70 in 300 win mag, and a older Marlin 336 (30/30). I hunt the rather thick Eastern Washington slopes of the Cascade mountains. I know my .300 is plenty, and my 30-30 is marginal, but who out there has used a 45-70 for Elk. I am aware of the distance limitations. Buffalo Bore has some potent (flat nosed) Ammo, and the Hornady Lever revolution may extend the usable range and still have the knockdown needed. Maybe you can tell I have my sights on a new rifle (Henry).

October 13, 2013, 11:11 PM	#3
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	my brother in law killed his cow elk with a 4570 last winter. good gun for it as long as you keep it within 200 yards. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

October 14, 2013, 06:11 PM	#5
The Big Game Hunter Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Posts: 34	As long as you take close range shots, the .45-70 is an outstanding cartridge for elk. However, that shouldn't be an issue if you're hunting the Cascades in Washington. Just make sure you use heavy, controlled expansion bullets for it. For instance, I know Swift makes a 400gr .458 caliber A-Frame, which would be absolutely deadly on elk at close range. Good luck to you out there! __________________ Hunting Ear Protection, African Hunting Safaris, Cape Buffalo Hunting Safaris, Canada Hunts & New Zealand Hunting

October 15, 2013, 02:55 PM	#8
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	The 45-70 will put meat on the table! Proper bullet selection and your .30-30 would be fine also! (within reasonable distances) __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

October 16, 2013, 06:59 PM	#9
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Learn your ballistics but a 45-70 would be an excellent elk gun. It can get tricky to shoot beyond 150 yards but those big heavy bullets will certainly put a thump on an elk. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

October 13, 2013, 10:58 PM	#2
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I know several men in Wyoming that use the 45-70. It's quite effective. The old black powder load of a 500 grain bullet and 70 grains of powder killed LOTS of buffalo in the 1870s-1880s so don't be afraid to used one. I'd recommend against the 300 grain hollow points, but all the bullets I am aware of from 350 to 550 are just fine, and any velocity from 1150 to 1900 will work, but going as fast as you can is really unnecessary. 1200-1500 is going to kill anything you hit, as long as you hit in the right place.

October 14, 2013, 08:13 AM	#4
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	The 45/70 is a well known whomper-stomper. It will kill anything on the continent quite effectively. Within it's fairly limited range.

October 14, 2013, 06:49 PM	#6
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	How could a properly placed 45/70 not do a proper job on an elk? Many buffalo fell to cast bullets out of them. Considering the weights of those bullets, they certainly should have no penetration problems.

October 15, 2013, 01:52 PM	#7
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	If you have a range finder, know how your bullet drops at that range, and have a good adjustable scope, there isn't much of a range limitation for a .45-70. I've seen tons of elk around Winthrop and Okanogan Co. over the years, good luck.