I load Rem. 405gr. JSP over 47gr of Reloader 7 and ave. 1745fps outta my Ruger No.1
I have shot anything but paper so i can't give you any on game reports.

Thanks Con,

it's pretty hard to top those rem 405's or the taipans for good value.

I have often thought I'd like to try a 350 gr bullet as well.

I see here the .45-70 is used with success on sambar, but which of the 3 or 4 different load levels published is suitable?

Is the factory 405 gn up to the task? I imagine the factory 300 gn won't penetrate sufficiently from some angles.

How about a hard cast, FN of 300 or 350 gn, at 1800 fps? With no expansion, penetration should be decent, and with the flat nose on such a large diameter bullet, the wound channel might be adequate. I've never tried such bullets on game, though.

If you are using the Marlin 1895 there is only one load that I used...55gn of ADI2208 and the special 45.70 405gn Woodleigh (30B), this produced a 5 shot group the size of a golf ball at 80mtrs, this range is about max. for Sambar with the 45.70, A hit the boiler room is all you need.
If you are using the Marlin a set of Williams peep sights are a must...
The only thing wrong with the 45.70 is it's lack of range if you put a Sambar up beyond the 80mtr mark, Still it is a good choice for heavy cover and it's pissin down with rain...hope you do well......Les'
P.S. I'm off today for a 10 day Sambar hunt with a few mates I use a Win M70 375H&H as my main Sambar rifle and keep a Win M70 30.06 back in camp for stand by. the 375 sports QD mounts and I carry a spare scope in case I go arse over and knock the scope and if I do that twice I still have the open sights to use...Les

That woodleigh 405 gr is THE bullet for bigger stuff Les is spot on the money...in my marlin it shoots to the same POI as the rem 405 and speer 400's.

I have an 1886 Winnie extra lite 45/70 on the way and I am mounting a Lyman peep on it and I intend to use that with woodleigh's. Barnes also make an x bullet in 45/70 as well. May be worth a look.

PC,
Absolutely no leading is evident. I've shot the Ten-Ring moly-coated projectiles and also their regular conventionally lubricated stuff and no leading at all with either. To date I've fired 80 shots at 1700+ fps with no cleaning being necessary. They're definately worth a try, but at $25 per 50 the Rem 400gr is still more cost effective. Just be careful of gunstores selling "seconds" as regular stuff. Seems that's what happened with me the first time, hence the wonky seated gas checks and some projectiles being slumped. Mind you they still shot into 3MOA using a peep sight at 100m!
Cheers...
Con

Well, that load of Les's would be interesting. The most I've shot out of a Marlin is 300 gn @ 2050 fps. It was rather fun, but the shoulder remembered that box for a day or two. I'll try the 405's and see how I do. According to Hodgdon, the 2208 (Varget) load is a nice, mild 25,000 CUP. I'm a bit wary of their 40,000 CUP loads in the Marlin. I hope the hunt goes well for you Les.



PC, I saw someplace results of penetration tests in wet paper. The X for the .45-70 didn't fare too well, too much expansion for the low SD. I must wonder if the almost solid copper FN from GS might be worth a try instead.