.45-70 recoil?

Yoteless in Ohio

Yoteless in Ohio

New member
Alright, coming to you guys for this, cause most of you know your stuff.

Ohio has proposed pcr's for deer next year. I have a semi for a lever action .45-70 to be shooting lever revolution ammo, or possibly (gasp) being able to roll my own for deer in Ohio.

I have heard that that is a punishing round, and not to the deer.

I have hunted for years with a 12 guage standard slug and most recently with a 20 guage bolt action with premium ammo. So I am sort of used to getting hit back.

What say you all? Will the .45-70 kick less, worse or about the same to what I am used to? It will likely be a marlin lever action, so it would be a substantial gun.
 
I'm probably not the best one to ask, as I'm not real recoil sensitive. I don't think it will kick much differently than a 12 ga slug myself.

That said, your loading/ammo can have a substantial effect on felt recoil. So can a good recoil pad......
 
Never found 45-70 to be punishing and I don't like recoil. I have had one in a handi, Marlin lever and 1874 Sharps, oh yea a Jungle Carbine Enfield built up too. Kick, yes, but not brutal.
 
My grandma shoots the 45/70 leverevolution ammo
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not really but its not bad at all from my Marlin 1895CB, kicks much less than a 12 gauge slug especially the 3" mags also shot it from my 1874 Shilo Sharps and C Sharps 85 Hiwall from those it kicks much less since they weigh in at 10.5 lbs each, but if you want to you can crank some 405's up to about 1900-2000 those will get your attention. Don't hold your breath about Ohio going to PCR's although I wish they would I have a few I would love to take a deer or two with.
 
I enjoy shooting my Marlin 45/70. I also am not real sensitive to recoil, but don't think its bad. Maybe if you do a lot of bench shooting. shooting at game you will never even notice. I am shooting reloads in my, just a little warm. You will enjoy it.
Barry
 
The lever evolutions in my 1895 marlin and ruger #1 are very mild. I would venture to say it might kick less than a 3" slug.
 
Originally Posted By: Rich44My grandma shoots the 45/70 leverevolution ammo
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not really but its not bad at all from my Marlin 1895CB, kicks much less than a 12 gauge slug especially the 3" mags also shot it from my 1874 Shilo Sharps and C Sharps 85 Hiwall from those it kicks much less since they weigh in at 10.5 lbs each, but if you want to you can crank some 405's up to about 1900-2000 those will get your attention. Don't hold your breath about Ohio going to PCR's although I wish they would I have a few I would love to take a deer or two with.

It is on the list of proposed changes this year, published by the odnr themselves. Farm Bureau backs it and they are kind of the "wives" of the DNR- the ones really in charge!

Might not make it, but if they do I am maki the switch.
 
Originally Posted By: unloadedIf your 20g bolt gun is a Savage I don't know why you'd bother switching, unless it would make your gun season longer.

Pretty simple really. My savage 220 is only mine when my wife is not afield. She prefers it over her slug gun, which is a youth model and I have a hard time using, as for the other reasons....

1. One gun for both wv and oh, where I hunt.
2. Ammo is MUCH cheaper than the slugs I use, allowing me to actually practice, not site it in and hang it up.
3. Hand loading.
4. 100 more yards in range.
5. Accuracy improvements.

However, depending on the list of calibers that are legal, it may not make any sense,
 
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I have shot a Marlin 45-70 a few times, and the recoil is about the same as my Marlin 444S with my fairly stout handloads. I would say the gun has more of a push rather than a sharp kick. Handload for it will give you the best results. If you can find an older Marlin 444 buy it. Checkout the Marlin Owners forums for more info on the Marlin Big Bores (444, 45-70, 450) I think my 12 gauge 870 kicked worse than a Big Bore Lever.
 
Give the 444 Marlin a good look. I have both the 45/70 and 444. Casting my own for the 45/70 the 315 grn. bullet beyond 46 grns. of H 4198 she starts to let you know who's boss.
 
I've owned several Marlins and HR Handi Rifles in 45-70. With full blown Buffalo bore loads recoil is noticeable but manageable. Most factory 45-70 loads are pretty tame compared to the recoil of a 12 guage slug.
 


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