To big for deer?

travisg96 · 11-12-2009, 05:58 PM

Is a 45/70 or it's cousin a 450 marlin or any of the rounds in this area wildcat or not to big for deer?
Travis

Archetype_wyo · 11-12-2009, 05:59 PM

Alot of guys here and elsewhere use the .45/70 and the new Lever-Revolution ammo to hunt deer. I haven't shot a .45/70 or the new Lever ammo but hey it's taken Buffalo why not a deer?

moosemike · 11-12-2009, 06:02 PM

I've taken deer with the 45-70 and my stepson has with the 450 Marlin. No such thing as killing them too dead.

G. Green · 11-12-2009, 06:07 PM

I have shot two deer, and two elk with the .45/70 LeverEvolution ammo, and after seeing it perform on the two elk I shot and the two elk friends of mine blasted with it my ONLY concern would be that the bullet might not expand at all on a deer. I have yet to see an animal shot with it where a bullet could be recovered. BUT, if you were shooting a .30 cal, or .270 and they expanded to .45 that would be pretty decent performance so i would say do it. I love my little 1886 .45/70 so I will continue to deer hunt wid it.

nathangdad · 11-12-2009, 06:15 PM

.45-70 has most likely taken many thousands of deer over its lifetime.

The thing about larger diameter, heavier bullets is the velocity factor.
For instance, a .338 Win Mag is often seen as too much for deer due to meat destruction.

So, study the ballistics charts to chart your decision.

Purdy · 11-12-2009, 06:43 PM

I hunt deer with a 375 H&H or my 450-3 1/4" BPE

jadek · 11-12-2009, 06:46 PM

Last few deer I got didn't seem to mind my 300 Win mag so 45-70 is to me a good gun for deer or any 4 legged creature in the good old US of A..

Midas · 11-12-2009, 06:46 PM

It's not any harder on meat than a 30-06 or 7mm Mag.

serfp · 11-12-2009, 07:04 PM

I have Heard to use headshots with a 45/70

SwedeSteve · 11-12-2009, 10:11 PM

It's all about the bullet you use, not the caliber !!

G. Green · 11-12-2009, 10:54 PM

Don't start down that head shot on deer road! Dat's a whole 'nuther thread :-)

thrillbilly · 11-13-2009, 12:18 AM

I have seen deer killed with a 45/70, the meat loss was relatively low...a .300winmag on the other hand will mess up some meat! A cousin of mine used the .300 for several years, and I have seen the damage firsthand. I would rather use a 45/70 then a smaller caliber "magnum" IMO. A 45/70 does a little less damage then a 12G slug, or maybe about the same.

11-12-2009, 05:58 PM	#1
travisg96 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Springfield, Oregon Posts: 469	To big for deer? Is a 45/70 or it's cousin a 450 marlin or any of the rounds in this area wildcat or not to big for deer? Travis

11-12-2009, 05:59 PM	#2
Archetype_wyo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Buffalo, Wyo Posts: 2,240	Alot of guys here and elsewhere use the .45/70 and the new Lever-Revolution ammo to hunt deer. I haven't shot a .45/70 or the new Lever ammo but hey it's taken Buffalo why not a deer? __________________ The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun. —Patrick Henry

11-12-2009, 06:15 PM	#5
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,781	The .45-70 has most likely taken many thousands of deer over its lifetime. The thing about larger diameter, heavier bullets is the velocity factor. For instance, a .338 Win Mag is often seen as too much for deer due to meat destruction. So, study the ballistics charts to chart your decision.

11-12-2009, 06:46 PM	#8
Midas Chief Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 3,735 Blog Entries: 6	It's not any harder on meat than a 30-06 or 7mm Mag. __________________ NRA Life Member 10mm Auto-The ultimate trail gun

11-12-2009, 10:11 PM	#10
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 25,525	It's all about the bullet you use, not the caliber !! __________________ In the absence of orders, ATTACK !!

11-12-2009, 06:02 PM	#3
moosemike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lebanon PA Posts: 339	I've taken deer with the 45-70 and my stepson has with the 450 Marlin. No such thing as killing them too dead.

11-12-2009, 06:07 PM	#4
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 1,023	I have shot two deer, and two elk with the .45/70 LeverEvolution ammo, and after seeing it perform on the two elk I shot and the two elk friends of mine blasted with it my ONLY concern would be that the bullet might not expand at all on a deer. I have yet to see an animal shot with it where a bullet could be recovered. BUT, if you were shooting a .30 cal, or .270 and they expanded to .45 that would be pretty decent performance so i would say do it. I love my little 1886 .45/70 so I will continue to deer hunt wid it.

11-12-2009, 06:43 PM	#6
Purdy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 570	I hunt deer with a 375 H&H or my 450-3 1/4" BPE

11-12-2009, 06:46 PM	#7
jadek Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 87	Last few deer I got didn't seem to mind my 300 Win mag so 45-70 is to me a good gun for deer or any 4 legged creature in the good old US of A..

11-12-2009, 07:04 PM	#9
serfp Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 104 Blog Entries: 1	I have Heard to use headshots with a 45/70

11-12-2009, 10:54 PM	#11
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 1,023	Don't start down that head shot on deer road! Dat's a whole 'nuther thread :-)

11-13-2009, 12:18 AM	#12
thrillbilly Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ozark Hill Country Posts: 3,182	I have seen deer killed with a 45/70, the meat loss was relatively low...a .300winmag on the other hand will mess up some meat! A cousin of mine used the .300 for several years, and I have seen the damage firsthand. I would rather use a 45/70 then a smaller caliber "magnum" IMO. A 45/70 does a little less damage then a 12G slug, or maybe about the same. __________________ *" I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on."* John Wayne