I came across this link from another forum. Several modern day authorities on the 45/70 discuss penetration and velocity issues.
shootersforum.com/show...htm?t=9085
It reminded me of Marlin's old Marlin Talk forum. This issue of velocity and penetration had come up many times. It has me rethinking many of my 45/70 loads. I have been using hornady 350gr. RNSP bullets pushed to almost 2100FPS, Cast Performance 420gr. loads at nearly 1800 FPS, and factory 300gr. Winchester Partition Gold ammo. I have a box of 250, 405gr. cast bullets sitting around and I'm going to load them down to 1500FPS using 35.0gr of IMR4198 and try some penetration tests of my own.
Don

Well BigBlue, I'll be looking forward to your test results. I have a Marlin 1895 in 45-70. I've loaded a lot of 45-70, but, welcome new new data, so, good luck.
Keep itcoming...

I guess I'll go the wet newsprint route. Although six foot of wet newsprint is going to be fun to handle. I was thing of building a plywood box to retain it all.
Don

Don: thanks for the link. I'll be interested in your comparisons and testing.

I took my 45-70 along on a recent prairie dog shoot with the 405gr cast bullets. My, oh my.

I love my 45-70s. Can't wait to hear your results!

Much of life is situational, ammohouse, and the 45-70 was left behind on the last shoot, however, it will be gun #2 on the next trip which is slated for September 19th.

Great article, it is amazing how a cartridge that is 100 plus years old just keeps going.

A great article.....! Randy Garrett has done a lot for many years to help keep the 45-70 alive and doing well. When I go big game hunting I always take my 45-70 along even though I end up using another caliber at times. I really enjoy shooting my 1895.

This may seem like a dumb question, but who is Randy Garrett? I enjoyed his article but no nothing about him.
Thanks

For starters check these out.......

www.garrettcartridges.com/about.asp
www.leverguns.com/arti...arrett.htm
www.huntingmag.com/hun...ck_012505/

all this talk about the 45-70, well, I think I am going to have to save up some pennies and get one.

I told my wife that bushmaster 223 was the last gun I was going to get. I think I ment it was the last gun I was going to get for a while. a while is up now, lol. time for another.

great information guys, thanks.

That is some impressive ammo, I can only imagine what the recoil is like.

I wonder what powder he uses in his loads.

ripper007: it is beneficial to keep in mind that you are never really happy or content in life until you buy one more firearm.

When you look at the array of 45-70 rifles on today's market, which one appeals most? How will it be used?

ripper007 wrote:

all this talk about the 45-70, well, I think I am going to have to save up some pennies and get one. I told my wife that bushmaster 223 was the last gun I was going to get. I think I ment it was the last gun I was going to get for a while. a while is up now, lol. time for another. great information guys, thanks.

No doubt about it, the 45/70 is fun to shoot. I suggest a Marlin if you get one, it's one strong gun. My wife now knows that my last purchase is just that, my last purchase until the next one.
Keep it coming...

I wonder how the tests went ....... ?