Long range shooting the 45-70.

[Wild Bill G]

Was looking through the Nosler manual the other day and read an interesting tid bit. It said the 45-70 held the record for smallest 1000yd group for a long time. So I am now wondering how many if any here have shot their 45-70's at 1000yds and what were the results. I was shocked at how accurate my new Marlin 45-70 is at 100yds. I had a group while testing loads for that measured .381 for 3 shots with a 7x scope. The real shock was 2 of the bullets went through the same hole and we found the bullets robin hooded together in the dirt back stop. So lets here if you have shot your 45-70 at 1000yds what gun and a few other details.

 

[Canhunter35]

Huh, I thought 45cal bullets were the equivalent of throwing ashtrays at things lol

 

[Wild Bill G]

Ya me too I guess you just never really know. I can't imagine how hard it must be getting enough elevation in your scope. You are adding low velocity and low B.C. together. I was shooting the Hornady flex tip the 325 and still I think the B.C. is in the low .2's.

 

[Canhunter35]

Who knew Quigley could be real?
Granted I think he had a 45-90 in the movie?

 

[HARPERC]

The buffalo rifles have their own shoots, and still turn in impressive results. BPRC is the main group. A lot of info on their site for those interested.

 

[Wild Bill G]

From what I read in the Nosler manual the 45-70's record was something like 8.6 inches not sure if that was black powder or smokeless though. We have come a long way in the shooting sport and really gained just a little in the accuracy department when you look at that group size.

 

[J E Custom]

Most long range shooters use heavier bullets than the 405 grain bullets that have a ballistic coefficient of a brick. also Most shoot 45/90, 45/100, and 45/110s with 500+grain bullets. I have shot them at long distances out to 600 yards and performance is poor at best. But at 3 or 400 yards they can be impressive. I have a 45/110 (Quigley) and a 45/120 that likes a 620 grain postnell bullet that Is very accurate at the longer distances.

I have never tried these bullets in the 45/70 because of the velocity, But I see no reason that with the right bullet, rifle and shooter it could be impressive.

A 1 MOA group at 1000 yards with a 45/70 or any black powder cartridge rifle is very impressive and anything less is scary good !!!

J E CUSTOM

 

[COBrad]

I have an 1886 Browning lever gun in 45-70. Waiting for delivery of a pattern 21 sight from Providence Tool Company. Don't know if that sight will give enough elevation for 1K, but if it does I'll give it a try. Hoping to come up with a decent load for 600 yards. It's a nice alternative to precision long range with my scope sighted rifles.

 

[Greyfox]

Huh, I thought 45cal bullets were the equivalent of throwing ashtrays at things lol

Pretty much so, but surprisingly accurate...LOL. I have a few Shilo Sharps 1873's in 45-70. I used to do BPCR many years ago. 526gr.cast bullets over GOEX black powder at 1300FPS.....a good long range load for Buffalo ......150 years ago! Shooting at anything much over 500 yards would require the rifle be pointed like a mortar.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

If you guys gave me one of these in .45 whatever, I wouldn't mind chasing my tail trying to shoot at a 1,000 yards....

 

[Wild Bill G]

COBrad the 45-70 is accurate mine shot that group of .381 better than some of my more ezpensive rifles with better scopes. I used Hornady 325 flex tip bullets and imr 4198 powder with rem9and half primers. My down side is my Marlin only has the 18 inch barrel so I lose a lot of velocity.

 

[Elkeater]

I've always wanted a sharps in 45-110 ever since I saw Quigley down under as a kid. If I had the money id love to see if I could actually hit something with one at 1000.

 

[BallisticsGuy]

I routinely shoot one from 200-500m standing in competition. We've taken a good lot of shots out from 600-1000 and it's nifty but it's more of a could than a should. Took a ton of shots to walk it onto target. Perhaps we'll do that again this weekend.

 

[COBrad]

Wild Bill are you having to trim your cases short to use the 325 gr ftx bullets? I've read that has to be done for the Marlin rifles. I also read one report of a guy using them in an 1886 without the need to trim short. My 405 grain Cast Performance bullet loads are .015 longer than suggested by Hornady for the FTX. I've got a box coming and hope to make them cycle without shortening my cases.