Of all of them I have had in .45-70 my favorite is the 1885 Browning. It shoots 405 gr. with open sights quite well. I don't shoot heavy loads often but if I do the Browning is heavy enough to be okay to shoot.
Of all of them I have had in .45-70 my favorite is the 1885 Browning. It shoots 405 gr. with open sights quite well. I don't shoot heavy loads often but if I do the Browning is heavy enough to be okay to shoot.
Had a B78, with the death-dealing buttplate back in the 80s. My shoulder still hurts (I began my hunting with 12ga slugs without issues, so wasn't always a candyass). Wish I had the little Sako Vixen I traded for it back.
Currently, I have the little Low Wall Traditional Hunter in .44 with the same buttplate and it's a pussycat. They have made some 1885s with a regular butt and pad. One of those would be okay, I think, but really there's no real need for such a minor cannon here unless it's just for fun, so I'll never know. I do ogle the .38/55s once in a while.
I don't think I would like a contender in 45-70. I would think recoil would not be pleasant in one. My 45-70 isn't a single shot, but a Marlin 1895, it's pretty heavy. It has a plastic curved buttplate, even with light loads it gets your attention. I solved the problem with a Galco padded slip-on pad. It works great and and adds a little length to the buttstock. If you have a similar problem and don't want to put a recoil pad on your rifle it might work for you.
The only 45-70 that I still own is a Marlin 1895 GBL which has a pistol grip, a cushy recoil pad and 18.5 inch barrel. It is surprisingly comfortable to shoot and is extremely accurate with the factory Hornady 325 grain FTX ammo. It is a hefty rifle and very compact. There's enough weight up front to minimize the issues I had with the Encore and #1 45-70's.
Based on a sample of one, I'd strongly recommend an MGM barrel for your Contender. The 22 mag MGM barrel that I just purchased and started shooting is excellent in all respects and is by far the most accurate Encore barrel that I've ever owned (of more than 10).
I have an H&R Buffalo Classic and love it. It carries like a broom stick, has a long barrel, shoots 300 and 405's quite well and won't break the bank. Just a thought.
I've got one too. Mine seems to like my home cast 405 water quenched and also the 350 flat points. The cast is my favourite. I use 4198, 3031, RL7, AA5744, Benchmark and H4895. Fun rifle for not much money.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23)
In the early 90's I had a Contender peep sights and 16" factory ported barrel. Right around the 4lb mark. Synthetic Stocks may have helped was shooting Marlin 1895 rated loads from it and my Marlin 1895 22" barrel.
400 gr speer few grains less then top end.
Felt recoil was about the same from rifle to rifle.
The Contender was a joy to carry in the the stuff carried like a long barrel handgun.
I've also C Sharps 1875, numerous Handi Rifles, numerous Ruger #1 including a # 1 Lyman Commerative.
Handi Rifle Buffalo Rifle was downright ugly to shoot