45-70 recoil

Windwalker · 11-07-2007, 05:37 PM

All you 45-70 shooters please give me some feedback on recoil as compared to a .308 or .300 winmag. I am 70 years old but still shoot about 20 rounds with my .308 about every two weeks at the range with no problem. However, I fired 3 rounds from a friends .300 Winchester Magnum and it took a week to work the soreness out of the shoulder. I want to buy a 45-70 but not if I can't handle the recoil. All opinions appreciated.

Midas · 11-07-2007, 05:43 PM

With factory loads (300 grain bullet at 1880 fps) the 45-70 is very mild in the recoil dept., comparable to a .308, with heavier loads (350 grain bullet at 2100-2200 fps) the 45-70 becomes quite a handful off the bench, with recoil similar to a .338 Win Mag shooting 250 grain bullets.

samuel · 11-07-2007, 05:54 PM

I would advise staying with the .308win. sam.

toolman · 11-07-2007, 11:24 PM

A Limbsaver pad and\or a Pact strap-on recoil shield will make it tolerable with almost any loading, especially if you stay away from the lightweight guns.

Windwalker · 11-08-2007, 06:48 AM

Thanks for the help guys. Any other comments will be appreciated.

Cyrille · 11-08-2007, 07:14 AM

I shoot a Pedersoli "target-grade" .45/70 loaded with 65 grs. of black powder behind a 500 gr. lead bullet. and have no problem with the recoil which I would classify as "moderate." I am 66 years old and not in the best of shape but considered healthy in my age group.
I find that the factory loads recoil with a 405 gr. bullet to be on the light side.
my particular rifle weighs in @ 9 3/4 lbs.

samuel · 11-08-2007, 08:34 AM

Cyrille: You need to get a .308. sam.

Mooseman684 · 11-08-2007, 10:24 AM

I shoot a lot of Magnum rounds as well as .308 and 30/06 and My 45-70 has more of a heavy Push type recoil vs. a shoulder slamming punch. Good recoil Pads or a shooting jacket with a shoulder pad can help minimize felt recoil.
Rich

rckymtnboy · 11-08-2007, 11:22 AM

I have a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun that is ported. The recoil is far less than my .308 or my 300 WSM. I have limbsaver pads on both the .308 and .300 and not on the 45-70 and it is still considerably less. I agree with Mooseman, it is definitely more of a "push" than a slam. I think you would enjoy the 45-70, it's one of my favorite guns that I own.

Windwalker · 11-09-2007, 05:16 AM

Thanks to all for your replies. I appreciate the advice. If anyone has any more comments, please make them. I am still leaning toward getting the 45-70 (which I want) and from your replies I think I can handle the recoil. I am looking at the Marlin Guide Gun. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Houston · 11-09-2007, 06:20 AM

New England Firearms has a 45-70. You could consider one of those. They are VERY affordable. There is a good sight on NEF rifles. You could visit it and see there range reports. The sight is go2gbo.com

Everybody over on that sight seems to be happy with theirs

Windwalker · 11-09-2007, 04:20 PM

Thank you, Houston. I will take a look at it.

knightRider · 11-09-2007, 04:25 PM

lots of recoil but i love it

GLS_okie · 11-10-2007, 05:22 AM

Well ofcourse recoil is going to depend on both the load fiored and the gun it is fired in. If you take out a 12 pound sharps and fire the factory 300 gr load. which is actaully more like the old cavlary 45-55/60-300 load. the recoil won't be too much. but get yourself a Ruger #3 and fire off a stiff load behind a 500 grain pill. And I hope you like bruises. I find my Pederrsoli trap-door rifle to be a joy with the "cowboy action loads".

Windwalker · 11-10-2007, 07:31 AM

Thanks for the input GLS okie. I am looking at a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun, weight a little over 7 pounds. Any other suggestions? What part of Okla. do you live in? I live near Newalla.

knightRider · 11-11-2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windwalker

Thanks for the input GLS okie. I am looking at a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun, weight a little over 7 pounds. Any other suggestions? What part of Okla. do you live in? I live near Newalla.

i have that gun in stainless, i love it man buy one ! As far as ammo i use hornady leverrevolution 45-70 it rocks. my deer rifle now replaced my 30-30 lever action

JSnover · 11-17-2007, 09:33 PM

It depends on the load. LeveRevolution is great stuff but recoil can be stout. I have an Enfield rifle converted to 45-70 and have shot several different types. Black Hills or Bullseye 405gr lead flat nose are very mild (pressures are kept low in case you're shooting an old Springfield). Generally if the box says "Safe for all firearms" it will be pretty easy on your shoulder. On the other hand, you'll need to raise your rear sight a bit.

FutureMarine9 · 11-17-2007, 09:47 PM

I think a Marlin is a good choice...its even made in CT

bored2bhere · 11-17-2007, 10:01 PM

i aint got a marlin but i got new england rifle in 45 70 6 pounds and that sob kicks thanks to the new primative weapons law here in mississip i can shoot it as a muzzle loader so its staying i just got to find a way to add weight to it

nathangdad · 11-18-2007, 06:23 AM

The 45-70 has too much recoil. It is generally
rifled for the heavier bullets in the 400 grain range
(original loading was a 405 grain bullet). If you want an Old West setup go with the 38-55 which is enjoyable to shoot and with which Winchester had so much success in their lever action rifles. My suggestion - if you cannot find a 45-70 to test then go to a shooting range and watch someone shoot a 45-70. Then you will see why you do not want one. Overall, it is better to have a rifle you can enjoy shooting thereby improving you accuracy than something supposedly macho that will beat your shoulder to death leaving you with a flinching problem.

Have you ever seen someone fire this weapon? Massive recoil and muzzle blast.
If you are not a guide needing a last ditch backup weapon this really may not be the gun for you.

11-07-2007, 05:37 PM	#1
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,542	45-70 recoil All you 45-70 shooters please give me some feedback on recoil as compared to a .308 or .300 winmag. I am 70 years old but still shoot about 20 rounds with my .308 about every two weeks at the range with no problem. However, I fired 3 rounds from a friends .300 Winchester Magnum and it took a week to work the soreness out of the shoulder. I want to buy a 45-70 but not if I can't handle the recoil. All opinions appreciated.

11-07-2007, 05:43 PM	#2
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,788 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	With factory loads (300 grain bullet at 1880 fps) the 45-70 is very mild in the recoil dept., comparable to a .308, with heavier loads (350 grain bullet at 2100-2200 fps) the 45-70 becomes quite a handful off the bench, with recoil similar to a .338 Win Mag shooting 250 grain bullets. __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

11-07-2007, 11:24 PM	#4
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,566 Blog Entries: 22	A Limbsaver pad and\or a Pact strap-on recoil shield will make it tolerable with almost any loading, especially if you stay away from the lightweight guns. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

11-08-2007, 10:24 AM	#8
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,638 Images: 2	I shoot a lot of Magnum rounds as well as .308 and 30/06 and My 45-70 has more of a heavy Push type recoil vs. a shoulder slamming punch. Good recoil Pads or a shooting jacket with a shoulder pad can help minimize felt recoil. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

11-08-2007, 11:22 AM	#9
rckymtnboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: I am a dual resident. Posts: 340 Images: 20	I have a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun that is ported. The recoil is far less than my .308 or my 300 WSM. I have limbsaver pads on both the .308 and .300 and not on the 45-70 and it is still considerably less. I agree with Mooseman, it is definitely more of a "push" than a slam. I think you would enjoy the 45-70, it's one of my favorite guns that I own. __________________ When they come for my guns, I'll give 'em the bullets first!

11-07-2007, 05:54 PM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I would advise staying with the .308win. sam.

11-08-2007, 06:48 AM	#5
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,542	Thanks for the help guys. Any other comments will be appreciated.

11-08-2007, 07:14 AM	#6
Cyrille Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 1,836	I shoot a Pedersoli "target-grade" .45/70 loaded with 65 grs. of black powder behind a 500 gr. lead bullet. and have no problem with the recoil which I would classify as "moderate." I am 66 years old and not in the best of shape but considered healthy in my age group. I find that the factory loads recoil with a 405 gr. bullet to be on the light side. my particular rifle weighs in @ 9 3/4 lbs.

11-08-2007, 08:34 AM	#7
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Cyrille: You need to get a .308. sam.

11-09-2007, 05:16 AM	#10
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,542	Thanks to all for your replies. I appreciate the advice. If anyone has any more comments, please make them. I am still leaning toward getting the 45-70 (which I want) and from your replies I think I can handle the recoil. I am looking at the Marlin Guide Gun. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

11-09-2007, 06:20 AM	#11
Houston Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 60	New England Firearms has a 45-70. You could consider one of those. They are VERY affordable. There is a good sight on NEF rifles. You could visit it and see there range reports. The sight is go2gbo.com Everybody over on that sight seems to be happy with theirs Last edited by Houston; 11-09-2007 at 06:20 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

11-09-2007, 04:20 PM	#12
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,542	Thank you, Houston. I will take a look at it.

11-09-2007, 04:25 PM	#13
knightRider Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: you know where Posts: 2,680 Images: 19 Blog Entries: 11	lots of recoil but i love it __________________ I'm part kalishnakov, part heckler and Koch.

11-10-2007, 05:22 AM	#14
GLS_okie Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 60	Well ofcourse recoil is going to depend on both the load fiored and the gun it is fired in. If you take out a 12 pound sharps and fire the factory 300 gr load. which is actaully more like the old cavlary 45-55/60-300 load. the recoil won't be too much. but get yourself a Ruger #3 and fire off a stiff load behind a 500 grain pill. And I hope you like bruises. I find my Pederrsoli trap-door rifle to be a joy with the "cowboy action loads".

11-10-2007, 07:31 AM	#15
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,542	Thanks for the input GLS okie. I am looking at a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun, weight a little over 7 pounds. Any other suggestions? What part of Okla. do you live in? I live near Newalla.

11-17-2007, 09:33 PM	#17
JSnover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 186	It depends on the load. LeveRevolution is great stuff but recoil can be stout. I have an Enfield rifle converted to 45-70 and have shot several different types. Black Hills or Bullseye 405gr lead flat nose are very mild (pressures are kept low in case you're shooting an old Springfield). Generally if the box says "Safe for all firearms" it will be pretty easy on your shoulder. On the other hand, you'll need to raise your rear sight a bit.

11-17-2007, 09:47 PM	#18
FutureMarine9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: connecticut Posts: 177	I think a Marlin is a good choice...its even made in CT __________________ Semper Fi Anti gun is anti fun

11-17-2007, 10:01 PM	#19
bored2bhere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mississippi Posts: 399 Images: 3 Blog Entries: 3	i aint got a marlin but i got new england rifle in 45 70 6 pounds and that sob kicks thanks to the new primative weapons law here in mississip i can shoot it as a muzzle loader so its staying i just got to find a way to add weight to it __________________ "Only the dead have seen the end of war"-Apolos

11-18-2007, 06:23 AM	#20
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,438	Don't Buy a 45-70 The 45-70 has too much recoil. It is generally rifled for the heavier bullets in the 400 grain range (original loading was a 405 grain bullet). If you want an Old West setup go with the 38-55 which is enjoyable to shoot and with which Winchester had so much success in their lever action rifles. My suggestion - if you cannot find a 45-70 to test then go to a shooting range and watch someone shoot a 45-70. Then you will see why you do not want one. Overall, it is better to have a rifle you can enjoy shooting thereby improving you accuracy than something supposedly macho that will beat your shoulder to death leaving you with a flinching problem. Have you ever seen someone fire this weapon? Massive recoil and muzzle blast. If you are not a guide needing a last ditch backup weapon this really may not be the gun for you. Last edited by nathangdad; 11-18-2007 at 06:26 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost