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45-70 Handi Rifle

PontiacPontiac Member Posts: 46 ✭✭
edited February 2011 in General Discussion
I have been looking at a 45-70 Handi Rifle to use as a deer rifle for a while now and i was just wondering, are handi rifles quality guns? and is 45-70 over kill for deer hunting?
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Comments

  • coltpaxcoltpax Member Posts: 7,516 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    4570 is fine for deer. I been looking at a 4570 handi rifle myself. And it ain't gonna break on ya. Not much can to wrong with a single shot.
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  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They are quite a handful in 45-70 though.
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  • MrGunz22MrGunz22 Member Posts: 2,086 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    IMO Handi rifles are great little rifles for what they are. Fast handling, lighweight and suprisingly accurate. I have several....223, .44mag, and .357mag. I wouldnt pay more than $200/new...maybe 175/used. I also have a marlin guide gun in 45-70. Its one of my favorite deer cartridges. Most of my shots here at whitetail are 60 yards or less in thick cover. Works great.
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  • PontiacPontiac Member Posts: 46 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    They are quite a handful in 45-70 though.

    well i figure that since you only get one shot it has to be able to do the job, and 45-70 can kill just about anything in one shot.
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    These are very light. I suspect that recoil with full power loads would be stunning.

    A 45/70 with its rainbow trajectory and scary prices for ammo would not be my 1st choice for deer. Or my 2nd, for that matter. A good 30 caliber (308, 30-30, 30-06 etc.) would be a better choice.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • PontiacPontiac Member Posts: 46 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    well i was either going to get it in 30-30 or 45-70. would 30-30 be more practical?
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    get a squeegee buttpad...i have a ruger no.3 in 444 marlin reload 265g small flatpoint at 2300 fps...smacks deer like a buick at lightspeed....but fun...
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  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Doc
    These are very light. I suspect that recoil with full power loads would be stunning.A 45/70 with its rainbow trajectory and scary prices for ammo would not be my 1st choice for deer. Or my 2nd, for that matter. A good 30 caliber (308, 30-30, 30-06 etc.) would be a better choice.



    That is the point I was trying to get across to him.

    Yes, it kills....on both ends. Once was enough for me. I imagine it would be alot better at 30/30 levels.
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  • GONESHOOTINGGONESHOOTING Member Posts: 2,450 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have one in 44mag, very accurate and well made.
    Has a pretty stout recoil.
    Might get one in 45/70 as well.
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  • A J ChristA J Christ Member Posts: 7,534 ✭
    edited November -1
    Had one.

    Would kick you out from under your hat.

    Have one now in 308, much better idea.
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  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,335 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ...Like pax said, there isn't much to go wrong with it.I don't have one in .45/70, but I've shot a Ruger #3 in that caliber. Sure, that round in that gun is a kicker. You will not notice it when hunting, but sighting in and practicing can be punishing. Just don't develop a flinch that would effect your only shot when hunting.
    ...Nothing wrong with the .30/30 either.....[^]
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 30-30 would be much better for deer.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • torosapotorosapo Member Posts: 4,946
    edited November -1
    I used to hunt deer with a Handi rifle chamber in .270. Great gun and very accurate.
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  • CHEVELLE427CHEVELLE427 Member Posts: 6,750
    edited November -1
    I LOVE MINE AND AS STATED RECOIL HAS A BITE TO IT

    that 45-70 Government 325gr Leverevolution Hornady also bites[:p]


    cases are a little shorter but works out good for mine as i have had to seat my bullet a litter deeper for it to lock up, guess ill trim all to the hornady OAL


    I WANT ONE IN 223 NOW [:D]
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  • jeffb1911jeffb1911 Member Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've got a talon version with an 18" barrel in the shop. Might have to fire it one day.
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  • dreherdreher Member Posts: 8,891 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 45-70 Handi rifle. Ain't pretty but it darn sure shoots. The 30-30 is probably more practical. But load the 45-70 to moderate levels with the "Flying Ashtrays" made by Barnes and it is just so cool. Not to mention deadly on deer. I'm probably no better than average on recoil sensitivity and the 45-70 doesn't bother me. I also loaded a mild load with the cheapest jacketed bullets Midway had. It is a blast (no pun intended) to plink with a 45-70!
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  • redhead71redhead71 Member Posts: 2,337 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 45/70 hand rifle shoots like a dream for me i use 375 grain hollow point made by winchester
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  • 35 Whelen35 Whelen Member Posts: 14,307 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had both the Handi-Rifle and the Buffalo Classic. Both are great guns for the money, and can be very accurate. I prefer the Buffalo Classic, because of the Williams peep rear and globe front sight.

    If you reload, you can easily run Marlin-level loads that are listed in the reloading manuals. You might not like it with hot loads and 405gr or 500gr bullets, but if you can handle the recoil of a 12 gauge, you can handle either of the above rifles.

    Do yourself a favor, go with the .45-70. The more you shoot it, the more you'll come to appreciate what it will do.
    An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.
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  • coltpaxcoltpax Member Posts: 7,516 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jeffb1911
    I've got a talon version with an 18" barrel in the shop. Might have to fire it one day.


    Or if you don't want to shoot it you can give me a price! $20 for a box of ammo does sort of make me shy away from it though.
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  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you do not hand load I suggest a common caliber the ammo companies mass produce, due to cost. If you get into hand loading you will enjoy the 45-70.

    I have many other guns and still kill most of my deer with a single shot.
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  • CHEVELLE427CHEVELLE427 Member Posts: 6,750
    edited November -1
    not to hijack this but anyone have a load for a 565g gas ck bullet?
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