The LRF makes all of this long range shooting with the 45-70 possible.
At any sort of range over 400 yards any bullet from a 45-70 has such a steep trajectory that even a small difference in range estimation causes a miss or a poor hit.
Very very few people are good enough at judging ranges beyond 300 yards with the necessary accuracy WITHOUT A LRF.
Shooting at silhouettes at KNOWN distances is relatively easy if you are familiar with your trajectory and your ladder sight is accurately set up.
Setting up a ladder sight expertly does nothing if you can't judge the range to the elk within 50 yards of the actual range because there is no time to hit it with a LRF or you don't have a LRF.
That is one of the basic advantages to a high velocity, flat trajectory cartridge, range estimation isn't as critical.
JM was and is right, for most folks, there are far better long range HUNTING cartridges available.
Last edited by nsaqam; 03/20/10.
