If you hunt at all, you are likely familiar the 45-70 cartridge and are aware of the devastating impact it can have on game, even big game.
Originally developed for the “trapdoor” Springfield rifle, it has been used for over 125 years and has felled game ranging from “varmints” to elephants.
Its reliability and versatility is well documented and is so revered that it has served as a munition-of-choice for the US Army, big game hunters, explorers and small game hunters worldwide.
Its only drawback its range, but if you are hunting in brush or need a monster punch at point blank range, the 45-70 is tough to beat.
In a survival situation, it would be difficult to find ammunition that better-served hunting needs for all game, primarily because its reputation is that it does not destroy meat upon impact.
To learn more about the 45-70, check out the next page.
Next Page »
Nothing says small game hunting like a .45-70.
Dam ouch LOL
It is a great round. The mass alone equals knock down power plus not so eaily deflected by branches
Mike Cuth
.22 lr for small game until you can set traps, the big bores for bears and big stuff.
With the 22 rounds solid or Hollow you can have four thousand rounds for 22 542-4570 one smile you can only carry 400 rounds without tiring yourself out I rather have more rounds then more damage
My dad said that 35 years ago
BIG fan of the 45-70. The only “Government” I trust. Got a Marlin lever gun and a BFR chambered for it.
I would think in a “survival situation,” your single best weapon would be a shotgun. Two or three types of loads and you’re GTG for defense, small game and anything in between. My second weapon would be a good-sized revolver, just for convenience of carry. Third would be a rimfire rifle. A big-game rifle would be at least fourth down the list.
.22 Remington speed Master,. 308 AR 10 Windham, and a ,45 mark lv , series 80. 870 pump in 12 gauge.
I believe you can chamber a 410 round in a 45-70, can’t remember whether the 3 in or the 21/2 in!
Got a Winchester that shoots 45/90 but boy are they expensive.
Piss poor shot ??
Too big,not required. Over kill
Or go with something sensible where plenty of ammo is available, 308, 30-06, 30-30.
How about a commonly found round?
.22-9mm.-12 gauge.
How about a 45-90 ? Even better !!!
.22 I’d rather have in survival, small game, big game right shot placement (survival situation) have stingers or a 1650 fps round for bigger game.
Bob Wheeler I have an 1883 sp’ trap door, never hunted with it but have shot a few times.
45-70 is s great round. But, for me a 444 marlin would work better. .429 bullet just like my 45mag. 300g out of the 444 will stop anything. While lighter ones good for deer.
weapon of choice for me is 22mag, it willstop/kill but will not broke your arm.
If it was the only rifle I owned I could get by just fine (I own three). But if I could choose just one I might opt for something a little more modern.
And Really easy to reload..
Personally I think the 45-70 is a little TOO much for deer sized game. It’s a good elk round but I have shot quite a few deer with this cartridge and it can do a lot of damage to otherwise edible meat. with the perfect heart lung shot it is fine but with a quartering shot as the deer is leaving at an angle it will definitely drop it but can do extensive meat damage. The 45-70 is the one cartridge that made me take almost exclusively neck shots, Something I do with almost all calibers now out of habit.
My current favorite is the survival gun that has 22 hornet on top and .410 on bottom. Cant remember the name..
Ain’t much for defense though. I like the .223 .
Everyone has one of those of course but to be quiet and get food in emergency situation 22 that fits in a backpack is pretty nice I have one
AR-7
Awesome at CLOSE range.
Would like to know what your calling short range. I’ve killed elk over three hundred yards with mine. While performance is an issue when compared to a 300 win mag or 7mm,but that is kinda like comparing apple’s and coconuts.
http://CashForInvite.com/?ref=70898
Damm tough with the 45-70 on squirrel hunts.
Kill &gut &dress in one shot
I also shoot a 45/90. I handload mine with cast bullets. Recoil is a little stiff but it takes down what it hits.
This rifle is SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!
.17 hmr is far superior.
I’ve seen bad things from a .17 it’s loud blows$#%&!@*away it shrapnel all over. I’d rather have a .22 or AR
Love it, shot it from in single shot break open rifle leaves hella hole in anything you shoot,
45/70
If your a fair shot you can bring down anything with a 22
2 bore just in case you have to kill a T-Rex
44 mag
Terrific round that can be loaded up or down for a variety of purposes. Our deer in SC are on the small side and the 45-70 lever revolution from Hornady does no more extraneous damage than 30-06.
First choice on my bug out list, #2 is the Ruger 10-22.
Thanks Jackie the one that I have is an 1886 45 90. It belong 2 a great great grandfather in the cavalry it’s a black powder shell. When I go out deer hunting I usually use my 30 06. I have taken the 45 up hunting but we just shoot it from camp in nice weather. Thanks again
think of how much powder, and lead that would use over other cartridges
I love the 45-70. But as a survival weapon….it depends. If I survive in my boat ok….it can hold the heavy ammunition. If you’re backpacking the Henry AR-7 would probably be better, pluss 22 ammunition is almost everywhere (again). Depending on the situation, a 30-06 may be the best as it’s the most popular and obtaining ammunition may be easy. You could work for it, trade for it, etc
I used a C. Sharps 45-70 a few years back to hunt black bear in Canada. I love the caliber and it did an awesome job on the bear. I actually own three rifles in 45-70.
The list of guns of personal choice can go on and on. None of them will be perfect in everyone’s eyes. The article does touch on the ability to handle black powder and to be able to cast bullets. This is t the only caliber that gives us that option but based on that I’m still a fan!
You can cast the bullets, reload with a simple set of 3-10 dies, and used smokeless or pieridex gun powers.