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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132 |
I rescently purchased an H&R Ultra Hunter in 45-70 and must say it's a neat little rifle, more than I expected for the price. It has a 24" Stainless hvy bbl with a thumbhole laminate nutmeg stock. I was quite surprised that the stainless finish was not cheap looking in appearance, I expected it to have brush/polish lines similar to many cheap stainless rifles, but it has a very nice dull grey bead blasted finish. The trigger wasn't to shabby at all, it broke clean at 4lbs. I bought this for a family member that wanted to use a 45-70 in our "Primitive Weapons" season, which now allows break action single shot rifles (Cal must be .38+) with a design prior to 1900. I purchased the rifle, a Leupold 3-9x40 VX2, Rifleman Weaver style rings, and 3 boxes of Hornady Leverevolution 325grn for $796 total. Here's a few pics: I mounted the scope, cleaned the bbl, and fired 9 rounds at the range. I fired 3 to get it somewhat zeroed and the pic is of the first 3 shot group. I lowered 5 clicks and 2 clicks right, which gave one shot 2" high and touching the right side of the center line and the next shot touching that hole on the left side of the center line. I then fired 2 shots at 205 yards which were both 6" low. Before I fired the rifle I was thinking it was going to recoil unpleasantly as I had heard the Handi 45-70s were hard kickers. I must say I was wrong, this thing is a breeze to shoot and has no more percieved recoil than your average 30-06. I could easily shoot this rig for hours. If any of you are looking for a inexpensive and accurate 45-70, definitely give this rifle a look. Reloader7RM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582 |
Yup, that 3X9 makes 'fer a real primative outfit, alright.
Watch 'Yer Topknot!
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132 |
Yup, that 3X9 makes 'fer a real primative outfit, alright. If it's legal, I'm all for it. I don't make the rules, just try my best to follow them. Like I said, this is for someone else and it should make them a darn fine venison slayer. I'm going to stick with my Savage ML10II for now. Reloader7RM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,582 |
Including everyone who wants to hunt is a good thing.
It seemed different when one had to master a set of skills to keep the spirit of fair chase. Now the appeal is to push every rule to the max, for a price, of course.
Additional opportunities to get away from the regular season crowds was a nice option as well.
Not knocking anyone, just an observation.
Watch 'Yer Topknot!
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,921
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,921 |
That'll do the trick.
I've never seen it in person, but that 45-70 cartridge must make a deer look silly dead.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,700 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,700 Likes: 3 |
I don't have one in .45-70, but I do have a Handi-rifle in .22 Hornet, and I really like it. They are pretty slick little rifles!
Good for y'all!
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them." -Master Chief Hershel Davis
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,657
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,657 |
I had a Buffalo Classic and liked shooting it.Then I bought a Handi in 45/70 and got just as accurate shooting so I sold the Classic.I like my 45/70 Handi.These big bulets do their best moving relatively slow so that they will expand.Too many people try to load them "hot". I also have a Marlin 1895 in 45/70.Love the big boolits.
Stan
Last edited by Stan_in_SC; 07/28/08.
The more I listen,the more I hear....and vice versa.
45/70,it's almost a religion.
If you have to take a second shot then you probably shouldn't have taken the first shot.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 84
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 84 |
Mississippi was the first state to allow this type of firearm for the primative weapons season. The first two years the H&R was hard to come by, most stores had a waiting list. Though I hunted with a muzzleloader I did so only because it gave me another month of hunting time. I bought my H&R ASAP. I frequently hunt with mine in the regualr season, it's short and handy.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 180
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 180 |
These Handi Rifles are great guns! I have one with three different barrels. I have a .223, .243 and a 45-70. They all shoot great and the 45-70 with Hornady LE ammo is a great deer rig. I use the .223 and the .243 for targets and varmints. For the money you can't beat these guns. I belive you can even get a muzzleloading barrel for them as well.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,657 |
The 45/70 Handi rifle is the absolute best one to have.
Stan
The more I listen,the more I hear....and vice versa.
45/70,it's almost a religion.
If you have to take a second shot then you probably shouldn't have taken the first shot.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 45
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 45 |
You need to learn reloading now for that 45-70!
G-19
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Posts: 7,722
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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My Encore shoots about as well and is not too bad to clean. That being said if TN would let us use the 45/70 in ML season that is what I would use without doubt. I shot one of my best bucks this past year with the muzzleloader and all he did was fall for about 10 yards and was dead. What if I would have missed and he ran about 60 yards and stoped? I would not be able to get that 2nd shot off with my ml but you might be able to with that Handy 45/70. I must say it was cool seeing that buck fall as the smoke cleared. I'm in the if its legal use it camp I guess.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,269
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,269 |
The 45/70 Handi rifle is the absolute best one to have.
Stan Stan, any experience with the 444? I've been tossing around the idea of either a 45/70 or 444 in a HR or Knight KP1. Ballistics charts on Hornady's LeverEvelution show the 444 with a pretty good advantage as far as down range power and trajectory.
I didn't understand a word you said, but whatever it was I'm right there with you.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,132 |
Glockface, these straightwall carts are a breeze to load for. I've got some recipes to push either the 300 Sierra or 300 HDY over 2500 fps, but this rifle isn't mine I just set it up for someone so I will not be loading for it. I wish HDY would offer the LR bullets to reloaders, but they are being alittle stengy at this point. The LRs were only 23 a box, not too bad.
Wildlife, I looked at the 444 as well but it's only offered in the standard handi. The ballistics are much closer when you compare handloads, but I admit, HDY's advertised MV for the 265 LR in 444 looks nice.
These 45-70 LRs aren't too bad, only 6" low at 205 with a 2" h 100 yd zero. You could bump it to 3 at 100 and bring it to around 3-4 low at 200.
I looked at the KP1, but think I like the Ultra Hunter better.
Ya'll have a good one.
Reloader7RM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 261
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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Posts: 261 |
That is a nice looking rifle. I bought the plain Handi rifle in .45/70 to use during primitive and it seems to like the Winchester Super X 300 grain Hollow Point the best. I am probrably going to use it some during regular rifle season since a lot of the places I hunt are thick and brushy.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,218
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Posts: 3,218 |
Rel..,
Handi rifles sometimes get a bad rap on this forum. It's ignorance or inexperience talking. They are a tremendous value for the dollar, accurate and, as the name implies, HANDI. Plus they are just plain differant and fun.
The muzzel loader and slug guns are my favorites and they out shoot everyone else's pricer version. Check Walmart. Almost everything they sell is less than $200.
O
Too old to suffer fools
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21 |
Where can I order mine?!?!
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,680
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,680 |
I've owned an H&R Ultra slug hunter for a few years now. It is one of the most accurate guns I have ever owned. Winchester BRI Sabot slugs at 50yds 3 shots touch and at 100 yds under an inch. Here in CT we are required to use slugs on State land and have been shooting them for 20+ yrs. That is a nice looking setup and would love to see us go the same way as other stateshave gone and would pick one up in a second.
My only complaints on the USH is very heavy and the bluing rusts very quickly.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,735
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 1,735 |
I'm thinking about buying one for box blind and bad weather hunting.
"If what I say offends you, you should hear what I don't say."
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 885
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 885 |
swampman u cant even handle a 7mm 08 let alone 45/70
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