Thoughts on an optic for 45-70

[GJM]

[4RNR]

Awesome, another Lefty!!

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[Dov]

FWIW Marlin 444 trajectory close to 7.62x39, essentially same MV but twice bullet weight, back before age and health issues impacted me I looked seriously at AK & Marlin 444 as making good complimentary pairing of rifle calibers.

The 45-70 is better overall cartridge than 444 for most people IMHO but idea of AK practice with holdovers for range being essentially the same with same zero at reasonable hunting ranges for the 444 was very appealing to me, somewhat like the old pairing of 22 Hornet with 30-06 & 375 H&H.

The 45-70 has bit more of rainbow trajectory than 444 Marlin.

On the 45-70 side a 357 mag/125 JHP or JSP from levergun ~2100 fps with 150 zero will approximate trajectory of 45-70 with 300/400 grain bullets @ ~1900 fps with 150 yard zero.

Or less well (not as close match) 357mag/158 grain from lever at ~1800 fps with 100 yard zero will approximate 45-70 with 300/400 grain @ ~1800 fps and 100 yard zero.

From Speer Reloading Manual tables not measured by me

357/125 w 150 Zero MV 2100 fps
2.7" @ 100 yards 1577 fps
0.0" @ 150 yards 1362 fps
-7.4" @ 200 yards 1188 fps

45-70 w 300 X @ 1900 fps with 150 Zero
2.86" @ 100 yards 1536 fps
0.0" @ 150 yards 1429 fps
-7.19" @ 200 yards 1290 fps

And less well but perhaps still usable
357/158 @ 1800 fps with 100 zero
-6.2" @ 150 yard 1172 fps
-18.8" @ 200 yards 1067 fps

45-70 with 400 grain @ 1800 w 100 Zero
-4.9' @150 yards 1343 fps

Edited to add:

I should probably look at the 350 Legend as pairing with 45-70, probably some loads that match up well to 220 or so yards with that pairing.

That cartridge didn't exist years ago when I was thinking about this.

[titsonritz]

I have a Micro RDS on my T/C Encore Katahdin .45-70 20" barrel, it has a shorter OAL than my 10/22.

[LJP]

I haven’t bought the optic yet, but I have intentions of mounting a Burris Scout scope on my Marlin DARK. I have a 336Y set up with the XS Lever Rail and the now discontinued Leupold Scout Scope and it’s a handy package for hunting at intermediate and close ranges. I plan to mimic the set up with the .45-70. Having said that, I’ve shot a hog with the ghost ring sights that come stock on the DARK and they work fine. My eyes are just getting to the point that optics are almost mandatory on a long gun. If I had unlimited discretionary funds, I’d get an optic with an illuminated reticle for the .45-70, but that will have to wait until I’m on better footing at some point later in life.

[coldcase1984]

Another vote for the good ol' Leupy 2.5x for .45-70 & trim ARs for woods hunting & defense.