Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Best 45-70 deer load, factory or handload

The factory 300 grain HP's from Winchester are pretty brisk recoil wise. Thinking maybe a flat nosed 300-350 grain cast bullet in the 1500 fps range.

I like two. The Hornady 350 grain JFP at 1650 fps over IMR-4198 and the Beartooth 405 grain cast over Varget or Reloder 7 at 1525. I was running the JFP at 1815, but it was torqueing my bad back too much. Backed it down. The only difference I have noticed is recoil and a little range. The Beartooth bullet will traverse several feet of hog lengthwise.

Long ago I used a Cowboy action load that used a 405 gr. WFN at a listed 1125 fps. It made the loudest "smak" on anything it hit! I never recovered one but traded the rifle for a really nice nickel model 19. Just ordered a new Guide Gun.

Pretty much any 45-70 bullet over 300 grains that will hold together at anything over about 1000 fps will handle any deer that ever walked. I used to use the plain old 405 grain Remington factory stuff at about 1200 fps with complete satisfaction.

I had a SS Marlin Guide Gun for a few years. I loaded for accuracy, not "snot." My rifle peaked with 52 grains of H4895, WW brass, Fed 210 primers, and 400 grain Speer flat points. Scoped (varied, 1.5-5x, 1.75-6x, 2.5-8x, and 3-9x at various times) with a WW Lever Guns trigger for control, it'd shoot 3 shots into 0.67" center to center at 100 yards. I figured velocity at around 1570 fps. Recoil was not bad but definitely elevated above factory a bit.

For low recoil and often very good accuracy, the 405 grain Remington factory load has been impressive. I've had it shoot sub MOA in two 1895 Cowboy rifles and a GBL.

Tom

My Henry likes 48gr of H4198 & Barnes 300gr TSX
Or if I want something a little bigger 49gr of H4198 & a Speer 400gr.
When I bought this gun I probably tried every 300gr bullet made with different powders, the above two loads shot the most accurate out of my gun.

57 grains of IMR 3031 pushing a 350 grain Hornady round nose was my go-to load in my previous guide guns. It gave me 3/4 3 shot groups at 100 yards with boring regularity. That was with a $19 Simmons 2.5X shotgun scope.

Paul, get your two face Nutt out of 45-70 discussion.


I think I will start with reloaded 7, based on friends advice and #s, behind a Hornady 350 interlock.

I had high hopes for the Remington 405 grain load but today it only printed a 3" group at 50 yards for me. I think I'll try the Winchester 300's next.

I just discovered the 45-70 330 gr RNFP HP (Gould Express) from Stateline Bullets over 48-50 grains of IMR3031. Accurate and doesn't beat you up.

I heard Remington has stopped selling components. But don't know if that is true.

The best 45-70 deer loads are the ones that say .30-30 Winchester on the box. No fuggin way I'm huckin 300-500 grain slugs at deer now that I don't hunt in shotgun zones anymore.

Mike, I went with Elmer's load of 3031 or H4895 and a 350 Horn.. I have mine loaded with 53 gr., but the next batch will have a couple or 3 grains less powder.. Cool rifle.. My has taken P. Dogs, whitetails, and antelope.. I need to use it more, but so many rifles so little time.. Enjoy!!!

People are not using these to limit range.

Some loads low 2000s, especially hornady's lever loads, not all that far from 30-30. Though most under 2000 fps.


It's American to go big.

Just like most all of your opinions.

Go fist yourself.

300 gr Hornady is what i load in my 45-70 Cowboy

I have some 300 HP Remingtons on the way. 350 Hornady FP, 400 Speer and 405 Remington component bullets, all on hand. Hoping myself to find an accurate deer load out of all of this stuff.

I think the 250 grain Barnes TSX would make a dandy bullet for deer if you want unleaded.

I was able to load some of the Remington 405s on top of a mild starting load of RL-7 but have not been out to shoot the 1895 yet.

Good info here.

John Haviland did an article recently about that bullet. His were cranking about 1400-1500; plenty of power if not super flat-shooting.

There's a reason that slug's been around for so long.

Do you know if it's true? Atlas I add the disclaimer, when I don't know. I could just be a prick to anyone who knows when I am wrong.