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Joined: Feb 2005
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OP
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Posts: 991 |
I've hunted with 45-70's for a lot of years. I've had a Shiloh Sharps in 45-70, a Mod. 1895, and an original Mod 1881. I love the 45-70 caliber. I got my Marlin Guide gun last year and this is the 2nd year of hunting with it. I mounted a 1.5 to 4 power Leupold with heavy Duplex and it fits the gun perfectly. I like the short maneuverability of the GG, it is just the ticket for the brushy cover that I hunt here in Michigan. I have tried just about every factory load out of it and the one it likes best is the Rem. .405 Gov., it shoots very accurately with this bullet. To prove my point, the other day after deer hunting all morning I headed out for lunch. I had to pass through some hardwoods and spotted a big Fox squirrel in an oak tree. Fried squirrel is my favorite small game dish and I wished that I had my .22 with me. Then I thought if I could get a head shot with the 45-70 I would have my supper. Mr bushy tail was sitting tight watching me from his high perch. I moved to a point where I had the tree as a backstop. I got a solid rest against a tree and here's the results. Could the 45-70 be a good all around gun?...
"We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past"
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Joined: Feb 2011
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Campfire Regular
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You better stick to the heavy bullets like you are so you don't waste any meat! LOL Nice shot and an interesting use of the weapon at hand! T.S.
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Campfire Regular
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Great job on the Tree Rat. Did the tree stop the bullet?
Just kidding. :>)
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2001
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It mighta been 60 years ago that I read an article written by a guy who used his Trapdoor to kill squirrels on a regular basis.He shot the limb right under them and claimed the concussion knocked them out of the tree and stunned them long enough for him to retrieve them and cut the throat. Of course, that was in a magazine instead of the internet , so he coulda been lyin' .
Never holler whoa or look back in a tight place
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Joined: Feb 2005
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OP
Campfire Regular
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Last edited by RWL99; 11/18/11.
"We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past"
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
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I've used a .54 cal ML for hunting rabbits successfully, so a 45-70 sounds kinda small and under powered . I really like the 45-70 and have three of them as well as a 45-90 . . . Nice shootin'.
Someday I hope to be the person my dogs think I am . . . The only true cost of having a dog is its death. Someone once said "a nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." Shiloh Sharps . . . there is no substitute. NRA Endowment Member
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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that is one big f'ing squirrel.
My diploma is a DD214
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Joined: May 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Big Mortie would approve!!!
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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My favorite squirrel load is a 255 grain cast bullet (lubed not sized), 13 grains of Unique (Kleenex tamped down on the powder). I used this out of my Siamese Mauser with Willians reciever sight.
Jim
"Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson
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Joined: May 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
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My favourite squirrel load is a .177 cal air rifle, but our squirrels are not big and ferocious like yours are. You might want to consider more gun.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23) Brother Keith
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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I haven't gotten around to experimenting,,,,but often wondered about a single round ball loaded down to around 800 fps, for smal game at shorter ranges. I do question the twist rate and accuracy of such,,but I guess it can't hurt to try. Unless somebody here has, and found it to be an exercise in futility?
Life is a journey of many trails, the trail you choose, is not as important as how you walk it.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 19,825 Likes: 3 |
I have some bad news for you. It appears that the bullet WAY overpenetrated! Nice work! I have been pondering putting a 1.5 x 4 Leupold on my 1895 Limited III or getting a tang aperture sight for my aging eyes. BTW, my rifle really likes that Remington factory load, too. Ed
"Not in an open forum, where truth has less value than opinions, where all opinions are equally welcome regardless of their origins, rationale, inanity, or truth, where opinions are neither of equal value nor decisive." Ken Howell
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Very accurate rifles, but I'm afraid the local hay growers would not like 405 gr slugs bouncing across their fields amongst their wheel lines in our pursuit of ground squirrels.
1Minute
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Campfire Tracker
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i love my guide gun but my squirrel hunt with it left me with a mess of blood and fur and very little squirrel
�The constitution of the United States asserts that all power is inherent in the people, that they may exercise it by themselves, that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed!� � Thomas Jefferson
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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Posts: 54,284 |
Too bad it ruined the chances for a head mount for your wall.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 389
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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I shot a coyote at 10 yards broadside last deer season with my guide gun with a hot 300 JHP load. I've never seen so much destruction. There were parts hanging out the back poop shoot and the entire off side of the dog was blown out. I can only imagine what would happen to a tree rat. I later shot a yote head on at 20 yards with the same load and the entire back end was gone. No, I don't have pictures. I will try this setup again if I get the chance.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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My favourite squirrel load is a .177 cal air rifle, but our squirrels are not big and ferocious like yours are. You might want to consider more gun. Keith The squirrels in Virginia are the reason we have so few wolves and grizzlies left. Jim
"Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson
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Campfire Outfitter
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And they're beginning to work on the Elk.....
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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My favorite squirrel load is a 255 grain cast bullet (lubed not sized), 13 grains of Unique (Kleenex tamped down on the powder). I used this out of my Siamese Mauser with Willians reciever sight.
Jim For ground squirrels I've used 12 gr. Unique or 13 gr. Red Dot with either a 300 or 350 gr. cast bullet.
Happy Trails! NRA Life Member
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 87
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 87 |
try 13 grains of unique and a.457 round ball. might have to use sometipe of filler to takeup space
Last edited by bubba15301; 12/05/11.
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