Handi Rifle 45-70 Question

[iraqvet13f]

:?: Just got a 45-70 Handi Rifle/with scope for Christmas, with a box of shells, (Win Supreme 300gr. Ballistic Silvertip, in the Nickel Brass).

Shot at the local range today, only had 50 yard pistol range available, so I had to due with what was available.

Shot 3 rounds to get scope zeroed, then shot 2 more groups (3 rounds each group) I shot about a 1in group at 50 yards (x2), set 1 in high at 50 (Not bad I guess) had a couple of fliers, (my fault).

My question is this: I have not found ANY type of Ballistic data on this round anwhere on the net. I am wondering what the mid range trajectory, and MPBR range for this will be (Approximately).

My longest shot available (realistically) is abour 130 yards, here is the thick piney woods of wonderful louisiana.

Thanks for the help.

 

[DrMike]

iraqvet13f,

Welcome to the forum. The 45-70 has quite a few fans on this site. Undoubtedly, some of them that shoot this particular round will shortly be around to give you a more precise insight. However, set your 100 yard POI at ~2.4 inches. This will give you a PBR of ~165 yards. Zeroed at 100 yards will yield a PBR of ~127 yards with that bullet. These calculations assume a velocity of ~1950 fps.

 

[iraqvet13f]

DRMIKE,
Thanks for the Welcome.
I Hope to get some insight on this bullet/ammo and some ballistic / trajectory info. I know nothing beats actual range time, but unfortunately uncle sam keeps me very busy, and range time, is very limited.
As for the current ammo being used (the Win 300gr B.Silvertip): the only thing I do know is what comes from the factory load box, and Win website

Bullet: 300gr Ball. ST
MV: 1880
BC:0.214(ish) for Part. Gold

Win Ball Calc only shows the 300 gr Part. Gold and Super X 300gr JHP

I know handloads will be more accurate (which I plan to get into sometime inthe near future).
Hopefully someone can give me a bit more onsight on this fact. ammo, and what to expect with trajectory out to atleast 130yrd

Thanks again.

 

[DrMike]

I know that all of us appreciate your service to the country. Altering my calculations to allow for the slightly lower velocity, the PBR will be 125 yards if you maintain a 100 yard zero. A 130 yard zero will have an apogee of 1.85 inches at ~79 yards and a PBR of ~148 yards, well within the limitations you have set for yourself. At 100 yards, you would want this particular sighting to be at ~1.4 inches. That load will work very well to take down anything you would find in Louisiana, or in most of North America, at the limit you have set for yourself.

 

[JD338]

iraqvet13f

Welcome to the forum, glad youare here with us.
Congratulations on your new 45-70. It is a hammer on game. The 300 gr BST is eccellent on deer. I have taken 4 deer with this bullet and my daughter sont her first buck a couple weeks ago with the 300 gr BST as well.
With a .191 BC and a MV of 1900 fps, this is what you can expect for a trajectory....

50 yds +0.7"
100 yds 0.0"
150 yds -4.5"

This big slug hits hard. Here is a big bodied WT I shot last month with the 300 gr BST loaded to 2050 fps.

Here is the exit of the same bullet on my daughters buck.

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

The 300gr BST seems to be a good bullet for deer. This is one I shot with my 24" 1895 45-70 going 2470fps. The bullet stood the deer up on his back legs and was done when he hit the ground.

Found the bullet in the hindquarter.

 

[iraqvet13f]

Thanks to DRMIKE JD338 and Woodycreek, for your helpful insight and knowledge of said ammo. I wasnt rear sure how I was going to like this calibur, but i think it is going to be another good choice. My father-in-law reloads his 45-70 for his marlin lever gun, and they are HOT!! I dont think I will get to his loads, cause im not sure if the handi will take it anyways.

Besides, after about 4-5 shots at the range it was very unpleasent, and it gave my a cringing flinch. I didnt want to even shoot it any more, so I will load mine (eventually) to moderate pressure and try to stay in the same ball park as the factory stuff, as long as I can find a load that is accurate. My gun seems to shoot fairly accurate wit the fact ammo, but at $36 (or more) per box (WOW) reloads sound better each time I shoot. Accuracy is better than speed-power in my book. All the speed in the world dont mean jack, if you cant hit the target.

And WOW on the exit wounds!!!! I havent seen stuff like that from a hunting rifle (except the old 30-06 fail safe ammo.

Thanks again for the info!!!! Good Hunting / shooting to all.

 

[JD338]

iraqvet13f

You can load the 45-70 from mild to wild.
Let us know when you are ready to start loading and we will help you find a nice shooting load that doesn't kill on the front end and wound on the back end.

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

Funny thing is in my pic that's an entrance wound.

 

[C.Smith]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service. Do the handi rifles come with a decent recoil pad? If not that would help with some of the recoil.

Corey

 

[1Shot]

For the woods shooting that you are doing the Sierra 300 gr HP and Sierra's suggested hunting load of 41.0 grs IMR 4198 for average 1800 fps is a real deer killer. You can bump it up to 51.8 grs IMR 4198 for 2150 fps average. I have a buddy that shoots these loads in his Handy and Marlin and they do a number on deer.

 

[cloverleaf]

Welcome to the fun! +1 to whats been said about a reciol pad. For some reason those single shots seem to kick harder, at least to me. Also if your groups start "stringing" dont assume its your reloading rigt away. I have helped sight in a couple and they both tended to heat up and string a bit. Of course with the mighty 45-70 the first shot is the only one you need.
I dont mean to sound like "sour grapes". You've got a good rifle with a lot of potential there. The 45-70 would be a fun round to play with. LOTS of options, from wht I hear. CL

 

[SJB358]

Welcome to the fun! +1 to whats been said about a reciol pad. For some reason those single shots seem to kick harder, at least to me. Also if your groups start "stringing" dont assume its your reloading rigt away. I have helped sight in a couple and they both tended to heat up and string a bit. Of course with the mighty 45-70 the first shot is the only one you need.
I dont mean to sound like "sour grapes". You've got a good rifle with a lot of potential there. The 45-70 would be a fun round to play with. LOTS of options, from wht I hear. CL

Welcome to the forum buddy! Great bunch of guys here. I can't add much to what these guys already said, but the 300gr BST at factory speeds seems to be pretty good. Brian hit a deer pretty hard with one and it held up. Says alot about it. Let us know how it works for you. It is the original American big bore! Scotty