Much use for a 45-70 in BC? Or waste of Dollars?

[hunting]

For hiking, trail riding, fishing, is the 45-70 really worth owning one (extra expense) VS taking your 30-06 or .338 Win Man with you on your trips.

EDIT: Saying many folks like the 45-70, what bullet, load combo are you using?

[Pioneerman]

Depends on what you are hunting, and if you want it ! You truly can get away with a one do it all gun. But there is nothing like owning and packing one of the big bore levers. We prob have more large and dangerous game than any where else in North America, so if not here, where then ? You do not do more damage to an animal with a larger bullet, they actually tend to break apart far less punching a hole on smaller game and packing a punch on larger game

[todbartell]

If you view buying a new rifle as an expense, then I think you answered your own question.

[2chodi]

I've yet to shoot at anything other than targets with my 45-70, but it sure is handy to pack around in bear country when not hunting with one of my scoped hunting rifles.

[406elcamino]

i owned for a bit and it was great fun gun to shoot but i bought it more of a novelty of a lever cannon gun. I would suggest a 357 or 44 in a lever

[russm]

I bough one the other weekend just because, I'll probably buy one box of ammo for it and maybe take it on a bear trip or something, I just wanted one to have one...

[BCBRAD]

I had a 45-70 Marlin 1895, had lots of fun reloading for it, shortened the brass so I could use 500gr Hornaday's and crimp 350gr Speer FP's, also installed a Williams fire sight. Full power loads ( 350gr @ 1900fps) were no fun to shoot, the aperture sight extended the range of those bullets to ~175yds. after about 5 years I tired of it and I never did get used to operating a 'lever'. For defensive purposes I like an 870 18.5" bbl. I have owned one or more since 1971, and can operate it with out thought, even though there are better projectiles for defense purposes.

[geologist]

I like my 1895GS for solo day hunts. The odds of me taking anything are long but the 45-70 is great for reasonable range mule deer shots and if I take a black bear it is fine for that as well.

I prefer my 30-06 for hunting but not when I'm solo.

[swampthing]

I have a couple guide guns as well as a 44 marlin lever. They don't get carried much because I hunt more open country. Last year I packed 2 rifles on a camp/hunt. The 257 weebee went for the morning open country hunt and the open sight 45/70 went on the evening timber hunt. Great to carry and fun to tip over a mulie at 45 yards runnin through the timber. I will always own guide guns.

[JIL_24/7]

I'm a big fan of the .45-70. I hunt with it often. It actually does less meat damage than any other caliber I have shot. I have a scope on mine (1.5x-8x) and it shoots VERY well out to 200 yards. If I'm hiking in timber or bear country I take the 1895 GBL. If I know I'll be hunting cutblocks I take the .300 Win.

[tigrr]

I have 3 different 45/70's, H&R buffalo Classic single shot, Marlin Cowboy lever action and my Pedersoli Sharps. I have 6 different bullet molds from 305 grain up to 535 grain. A well placed shot with a 45/70 and the animal doesn't go far if it moves at all. Everyone should own at least 1 45/70.

[r106]

If there aint much use for a 45-70 in BC then there aint much use for it anywhere

[ursusbait]

All guns are worth having especially a lever gun!! I have a Marlin GS in 45/70 and love it. Buy One.

[Bugle M In]

Definitely worth it !

If your good at getting elk in close, or reasonably close...use it.

Great as a Grizz stopper just in case you do down a elk with it.

Don't know if my shoulder could handle it, but a great gun to pack around all day!

B.C is the right place for it, and a 7mm mag or 270 for hunting the rest of game IMO

[.330 Dakota]

I bought a GG this year and mooched a load from Remington Jim,,, he had some bullets to help me get started as well. 420gr hard cast through the chrony at 1987fps,,,they're stoppers for sure,,great in griz country

[E.B.]

For hiking, trail riding, fishing, is the 45-70 really worth owning one (extra expense) VS taking your 30-06 or .338 Win Man with you on your trips.
If you are buying one just for self defense in the bush and you already own a shotgun than , Yes its a waist of money. 3" 12 gauge slug at 1760 fps 437 gr is as good as it gets for self defense.