[steve stellman]

I have a 45/70 Harrington & Richardson single shot and a .450 Marlin lever action. I like them so much that I am thinking of buying a 45/70 Marlin lever action. I have never had a deer move out of it's tracks when hit with either. In most cases meat damage has been minimal. Last year I did shoot one deer with the .450 directly in the shoulder and it did considerable damage. I would rather have meat damage than lose the animal. I have discovered over the years that deer shot with these guns at short to moderate ranges do not make death runs like those shot with smaller calibers. I feel the 30/06 and .270 are excellent deer guns, but have had many deer hit in the lungs and heart with these calibers run 50-100 yards before falling. I hunt thick wooded areas and it is so thick that without a good blood trail a deer going 50 yards can easily be lost. I think the smaller calibers shine when hunting open country or pipelines or clearcuts and are superior for shots at 200 yards or more. But for woods hunting give me a 45/70 or my Marlin .450.

[FortyXDM]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Brother Bob

1,000 yds????

........Long shot...........

[nathangdad]

should tell you is a very big bullet so hide and meat damage will occur.
Just be ready for the logical outcome.
I try to advise people to shoot if possible before buying some of the larger cartridges.
The .45-70 is too much for many shooters.

[Jim Rau]

Quote:       Originally Posted by RugerBob

hi all, I have been looking at getting a 45/70 lever action or single shot buffalo rifle. Is this to big of a gun for deer? I hunt in maine ,open sites and uaually use my 30/30. I do not want to waste the game, but I sure want one of these rifles. I do not want to over kill, I shot a friends 45/70 and find that I am more accurate at 125-yds open sites then I am with my 30-30 at 75 yds. Any insight appreiciated. I would also like the 45/70 for range/fun shooting. So ,I am sure I'll get one just need to know if ok or over kill for deer. thanks Bob

Dead is dead!

[LiveToShoot]

Thanks to those who have kept this thread alive...

...and for your comments on the 45-70.

It's one of my favorite rifles...

[Deersniper]

One of my buddies took an eight point white tail hitting it in both lungs going right through both rib bones. There was no excessive meat damage. Wasn't the 45/70 the original Buffalo gun?

[andrew cochran]

Just choose the right bullets and you'll be fine.