Has anyone tried hawk bullets in a 45-70. Just got one in Ruger #1 and I am learning all about bullets and powders and such. I haven't heard much about Hawk bullets in it so I was just curious. Thanks for all comments.

I've not tried the Hawk bullet. I shoot a lot of 350 grain and 445 grain cast bullets thru my 45-70s, all home made.
Let me know what bullet weights you're looking to use and maybe I can share some of my experience.
Jim

I have not used Hawks but the 5 45/70 bullets I have used are;

1. woodleigh 405 gr 45/70 bullet. Very tough bullet holds together very well and would do well on any of you American Big Game. Loaded to 1750 fps aprox

2. Rem 405 gr .458's. Great bullet at a great price, opens up faster than the woodleigh. Loaded to 1750 aprox

3. Speer 400 gr Flat point. Love that big flat nose and opens up well causes huge wounds on Aussie ferals. Loaded to 1750 aprox

4. Sierra 300 gr HPFN. What can I say, this is the ballistic tip for the 45/70 opens up extremely quickly, usually sheds it's jacket and kills grasshoppers & hogs like chain lightening. Would not use it on big stuff as not enough penetration, I feel that for your small deer it would also cause to much meat damage. Loaded to 2150 fps aprox

5. Rem 300 gr HPFN (well priced), similar to the sierra, but have not fired enough shots with these at game to draw conclusions yet. Loaded to 2150 fps aprox.

Thanks for all your input.

PC-great info on the different bullets, how fast do can you push the 300's for reliable killing on deer size game?

Arkypete- THis is my first big bore of my own i(dad has a 375 h&h) I bought it to shoot 400 gr stuff, something different and heavier than I shoot in my 35 whelen or in dads 375. I am in the process of getting the throat lengthened, it has a very short throat. Any advice or comments are greatly welcomed.

Thanks again.

Check http://www.realguns.com, Joe there has some good things to say about Hawk bullets and the .45-70 Marlin.

[ 10-18-2002, 08:03: Message edited by: m700 ]

Brew,

I have shot some pigs & grassy's (some big roo's weigh quite a bit, and there thin skinned and would not be that unlike a white tail deer as far as hide & muscle go) with the 300 gr sierra's at 2150 fps which I think is about tops in the Marlin 1895 SS lever I have. Your Ruger will be able to push them a fair bit faster due to the stronger action. I feel that the 300 gr HP variety of bullets particularly the sierra would expand too quickly if keeping meat is you ultimate aim. They would just damage to much good tucker, particularly at the Ruger velocities of around 2400 fps. I would reccomend trying the woodleigh which will still give perfect mushroom expansion combined with deep penetration without any jacket shedding and excess meat damage. The 300 gr sierra's as I said will kill excellently, but my guess is you want to fill the freezer, and this bullet would be to destructive. Another 300 gr bullet that might be worth a try that I would not think would open up like the sierra 300 gr HPFN would be the 300 gr Barnes X Flat point 45/70. I have not used this bullet, they also make it in a 250 gr version. I reckon from your ruger you could get that going at 2500-2600 fps neally.

[ 10-18-2002, 18:03: Message edited by: PC ]