I went to the gun club today with my Marlin Model 1895 with a Mueller 2X7X32 red dot scope on board, to determine point of impact changes due to different loads. Unfortunately, it was not the best of days as the wind blowing left to right on the targets was strong enough to keep the wind flags blowing and occasionaly blew my hat off. I wanted to shoot at 75 yards and also at 150 yards, but stopped after one complete set at 75 yards, mostly because of the wind.
I had several different loads on hand as follows:
Federal 300 grain Hot-Cor soft point at 1885 fps/2355 ME
Winchester 300 grain JHP (NO chonograph) however very similar to the Federal load. This load shown in TOP photo, produced a 3/4 inch center to center group at 75 yards off the bench. It essentially cut one ragged hole and is easy on the shoulder. Should make a great deer load for the largest of bucks within its range limitations.
Hornady Leverevolution 325 grain FTX 2060 fps (at the muzzle)
Corbon 350 grain BC flat point starting out the gate at 1800 fps
PMC 350 grain PLUS-P-PLUS FNSP 2025 fps at the muzzle (UNfortunately NO longer made)
Buffalo Bore 405 grain JFN (2000 fps at the muzzle)
Quite a variety and yet point of impact at least at 75 yards and on other trips to the range out to 125 or so, was very close. Group size on all loads considering the wind was excellent. The first two loads mentioned are normally considered CXP2 loads per Winchester expansion guide data and are great for game such as antelope, mule deer, whitetail deer, and black bear. I could be very comfortable using either of these loads up to and including black bear and without great concern over which load I picked as both shot prety much the same point of aim and tight groups.
The Federal 300 grain load produced a 3 shot group of 1.5 inches at 75 yards
The Winchester 300 grain shaved that group to a 3 shot 3/4 inch group at 75 yards
The rest of these loads upscale the possibilities of hunting with a 45-70:
The Hornady Leverevolution load is adding 25 grains in bullet weight and of course the now famous flex tip technology and again produced a 1.5 inch group at 75 yards. This loads virtue would be in extending the yardage for the 45-70, hits harder and shoots flatter. I think this is a good all around load, though a tad expensive for my purposes.
The Corbon load utilizing the afore mentioned 350 grain JFP went into 1.25 inches at 75 yards and per Corbon literature and advertising, this load is capable of taking about anything on the North American Continent and anything you would want to hunt or run into with a 45-70. This is one serious hunting load and would be suitable for any black bear, anywhere, whether spot and stalk, over bait, with hounds etc. and a large variety of bigger game and would be considered CXP3 rated for elk, moose, and brown bear under the right conditions. Your only consideration here would be the limited range of the 45-70 itself. Under 125 yards or so, you could hunt darn near anything in North America with this load.
The PMC is a plus P PLUS rated 350 grain FNSP and is a step ahead of the Winchester and Federal CXP2 rated loads. Unfortunatly it is no longer made, and in retrospect, these were the greatest bargins in 45-70 ammo a few years ago. I am NOT sure exactly what bullet is being used here, but this is definitely into the CXP2 PLUS arena. The bullet itself is a 350 grain flat nose soft point. The Corbon is without a doubt in a different league for dangerous game than this load, however it is a moot point since it is no longer being manufatured.
Lastly I shot the Buffalo Bore 405 grain JFN and if you can hunt it with a 45-70, this would be my load of choice. It does get your attention shooting it off the bench, however if you regularly shoot rifles in the 30:06 class, you will have no trouble with this load. I have shot light weight 30:06's with 180 grain loads that kicked worse. Garett ammunition also make some absolutely devasting load for the 45-70 in their Hammerhead ammo. In tests I believe that some of their Penetrator & Hammerhead loads have shot end to end through a cape buffalo. Pretty impressive stuff to say the least.
I think for the average north east whitetail, wild boar, or black bear over bait hunt, the 300 grain Winchester and Federal loads along with those manufactured by Georgia Arms, and a few other makers are entirely adequate.
The thing to remember is that most of us don't book a bear hunt to bring home a 150 pound black bear. We are looking for a 300 pound plus bruin to decorate the den with and even have fleeting dreams of a 450 lb or larger black bear. When I go bear hunting, I would want the Corbon 350 grain JFP or the Buffalo Bore 405 grain JFN stuffed up the tubular magazine and in the chamber of my Marlin Mdl 1895.
By the way, I would be remiss if I did not state what to most guys shooting a 45-70 is the obvious: WARNING " ALWAYS CHECK THE 45-70 AMMUNITION YOU ARE PURCHASING TO SEE IF IT IS SAFE IN YOUR PARTICULAR GUN: All the ammo used in this particular test, is rated acceptable in the Marlin Model 1895 Lever Action rifle. Make sure you tell the person at the ammo counter what sort of 45-70 you own and make sure the ammuntion you purchase or handload is safe in your gun. Nuff said.
I have never tried the Remington 405 grain soft point at around 1300 fps in my 45-70,however reports I have read, is that this load is supprisingly accurate, however it would require a sight adjustment over the above loads before hunting with it. It also has a reputation for quickly making the bore dirty and on several forumns I look at, has reported misfires. I cannot speak for any of that personally, however one of these days, I will probably try a box as shooting the 45-70 is a lot of fun.
Dan
Luke 12:40 KJV "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not"
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