It's so much fun honing the tracking skills and it gives the meat that natural gamey taste. I like to ride them around in the back of the truck for 3 or 4 hours in the hot sun before processing. It makes the meat tender.
Hunting with lead bullets?
- Thread starter BillMe45
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It's so much fun honing the tracking skills and it gives the meat that natural gamey taste. I like to ride them around in the back of the truck for 3 or 4 hours in the hot sun before processing. It makes the meat tender.
The only deer I killed this year was with my 1894c, using a 185 grain WFNGC bullet over HS-6. Not sure of the velocity, but at 75 yards, the bullet went in one side and out the other. The deer did run for 50 yards or so. Very little meat was lost, just at the entry and exit holes. My 30-06 would have ruined at least one of the shoulders with that shot.
Can't help you with 45-70 loads, but my .45 Colt handgun puts them down pretty quick driving a 280 gr LSWC at 900-1000 FPS.
I've loaded some 45's in that power range but have never had a chance to put one in a deer. No problems with a bow but the pistol seems to be my deer repellent. Been trying to tag one with my Blackhawk for a couple of seasons.
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Have killed 3 deer with the 45-70 and cast bullets. Lee 405gr FP cast from clip on wheel weights. 16gr Unique and it is fatal. Kicks about like a 20ga.
I was thinking of going with a 405 to get the energy up while keeping the velocity mild. I think the 45-70's kick reputation is over rated, and I've loaded some stout loads. My 1895 Guide Gun has a very good recoil pad to boot and it pushes straight back. I would liken the very stout stuff to 3" 12 ga slugs.
I agree with ya brother. 45-70 is a fun round. Buffalo Bore stuff is a bit different though.
I agree with ya brother. 45-70 is a fun round. Buffalo Bore stuff is a bit different though.
Well as Callahan said "A man's gotta know his limitations".
Seriously, cranking out 5000 ft/lb's aint no joke. Good thing I dont need to defend myself from dinosaurs on a daily basis.
If you can load to keep it in the 1600 fps speed range, you'll be right where the black powder loads lived and killed with cast bullets for decades!
And really thats MORE than enough deer rifle. According to Hornady's Ballistic Calculator a 405 flatnose at 1600 fps is toten 2300 ft/lbs energy. With a 100yard zero it'll drop 6" at 150. So really its max point blank range is more like 125... but I use it as a 50 yard thick woods rifle anyway.
