The Accurate Reloading Forums
Marlin 45/70 shoots like a bolt.
15 October 2007, 07:05
Thomas JonesMarlin 45/70 shoots like a bolt.
I had a little fun today.
I took my huntin partner out scouting for Elk in the oregon coast range.
I took along my 35 whelen and my 45/70 just to check zero.
My whelen was fine but the marlin needed a little tweeking.
I shot it off the hood of my chevy at 70 yards. My 1st shot was high and an inch right. I adjuted the 1X4 power leupold a few clicks and fired again.
When I was done I had a string of 7 shots all touching in a line to the bull , about 3 inches long and curving 1 inch left.
In short each 2 clicks moved the impact just under half an inch and the rifle put the bullet right at point of aim with each shot.
Great elk rig out to 200 yards.
350 grain Hornady flat point at just a touch under 2000.
That thing is fun.
I found another load that acording to the book will give me another 100 FPS.
After Elk season I,ll give it a try.
100 FPS with a 350 grain tube means a fair amount of energy.
...tj3006
freedom1st
15 October 2007, 12:08
boom stickquote:
35 whelen and my 45/70

Two of my favorites

The 45-70 is just so fun to shoot.
My best 5 shot group. Double the size for 100 yards.
I only have a 1.5x fixed scout scope so 100 yards is harder for grouping.
15 October 2007, 15:14
UglystickI also have a guide gun that makes a clocerleaf every time at 50 yards and has the 3 shot group usualy touching at 100. I have been using the 300 grain Barnes X bullet pushed at 1900fps.
I will be using it for deer again this year.
No monster but I was happy...
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZNXDhq...harshar&linkid=link415 October 2007, 17:38
Thomas JonesMy marlin groups 3 into 1.1 at 100.
I have another weekend before I go to eastern oregon to hunt elk.
My marlin allways goes , and the whelen is likly to go too.
I also have a .338 win and a 7mmSTW. I am probably going to take the stw just beacuse It squirts the 160 grain accubond at 3200 and into about half moa.
It has a 3.5X10 leupold.
Any way I am getting pumped for Elk hunting...tj3006
freedom1st
03 January 2008, 08:26
DWrightHmm, come to think of it, I've never had a Marlin .45-70 that would not shoot into an inch at 100 with the right load, and I've had maybe a dozen or more. I fact, I think I may need another one. . . . . .
03 January 2008, 09:45
Macifej'My 45-70 makes me shoot like a Dolt!" er uh?....Bolt?
03 January 2008, 12:22
Rustyquote:
Great elk rig out to 200 yards
Wow now that's a good one!
04 January 2008, 08:16
RobgunbuilderI just found my 45-70 it used to shoot into one inch too. The portrait laser engraved on the stock of Vince Lupo assures one shot kills at 200 yrds every time. OOPs I was using it to jack up my car. Guess I better straighten the barrel cause it shoots around corners now.-Rob

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
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04 January 2008, 08:22
Tyler Kempquote:
Wow now that's a good one!
Why? Bottom post of your reticle should be somewhere around a 200 yard zero on a standard 3-9x scope. Shooting out to 200 yards with the 45-70 is easy, even for me.
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
04 January 2008, 08:29
RIPAnd how slow is that stubby flatnose bullet going at 200 yards?
It will surely bounce off an elk.

04 January 2008, 08:46
Thomas Jonesacording to my old hornady manual, with a muzzle velocity of 2100 fps, I will still be going 1314 Fps at 200, and energy would be 1343.
mabye i should say great elk load to 150 yards and good to 200.
...tj3006
freedom1st
04 January 2008, 09:17
RIP350-grain Hornady, RNSP stubby cup and core jacket shedder, I see.
Well, it might stay together at that slow a velocity.
That's gonna leave a mark on the elk anyway.
04 January 2008, 10:33
surestrikeI've got an 1895 CB .45-70 which has been cut to 22" smoothed and slicked up by DRC.
That thing will shoot about 2" @ 100 yards with ghost rings.
04 January 2008, 18:18
Tyler KempI got a deer at almost 300 this year with a 300 grain JHP. It had complete penetration of the deer, and had enough energy to put it down on the spot. I think at 200 yards it would have been fine on an elk.
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
06 January 2008, 09:03
DWrightWe have the big Roosevelt Elk here in the north west. I've dun kilt a few of um with different calibers. For the .45-70, I would not use the short 300 grainer in any of the brands. the 350 Hornady is tough enough, the 400 grain Speer is not. Any large meplated hard cast bullet of at least 400 grains will penetrate enough bone and tissue to work from about any angle. But then again, I did kilt one grave yard dead, with a 85 grain hollow point from a .243! Dropped dead instantly without taking one step. But hit it right in the brain pan as it was walking broadside at 75 yards. Bullet placement is everything. . . .
