45 long colt or 45-70 government

[Chaplain45]

I am trying to think ahead before I purchase my next rifle. I am looking for a good (fun) lever action. I want to consider reloading cost and availability as well. The only lever action experience I have is with a 38 spl/357. I'm Thinking 45 long colt or 45-70 government. Any specific suggestions or is it mostly personal preference? I don't have dies for either caliber...yet

 

[sloughfoot]

For a "fun" lever gun, 45LC is the choice. 45-70 is brutal to the shoulder after a few rounds. The 45LC is far cheaper to reload.

 

[foxmustang]

I'm loading for both calibers. I do agree that 45 colt is cheaper and fun, but I've had really good luck with 45/70 reloads that are light and fun to shoot. Either can be loaded with black powder and still achieve good results and the fun factor, with the modern propellants though, you can get away with anything from wild to mild with just a few grains of powder difference. The only real difference is the number of rounds you can shoot without reloading, 45/70 is about half the capacity as 45 colt. Either one is a great choice with my vote going to 45 colt purely for cheaper to shoot.

 

[Mgderf]

Remember too, as long as your gun will handle it, .45Colt can be loaded to near .44mag velocities.
I've had some recently loaded to 1000fps.
It's a devastating round on deer.

 

[Sirshredalot]

My $.02 is for 45-70.

Yes it will initially cost you more to reload...but once you have brass...the price difference between 250gr and 300gr lead isnt that much...and 45-70 doesnt HAVE to be brutal on the shoulder.
I load my plinking rounds with 15gr of unique...2400 can also be used for some mild loads....PLUS...you have the option to go full nuclear with 550gr lead slugs and RL7.

45-70 for the win!...plus it is alot of fun to watch your buddies shoot those hot loads for the first time.

Also...factory ammo-wise..for what you get...there isnt a HUGE difference in cost either. I dont know where you are located, but around these parts...45-70 is actually more available than 45LC.

God bless
-Shred

 

[Broom_jm]

The 45 Colt is the way to go, for two reasons:

1) If Indiana's regulations don't change for next season, you'll be able to hunt deer with it.

2) You can buy a companion revolver to go with it and reload for both.

 

[Dosproduction]

The reason id go with 45 colt is cause of all the other fun guns that shoot the same round. It is a more common round then the other. But sometimes having unique rounds is nice to so you will have to decide do you want a more versitile round or just a unique fun round. Also price as many said.

 

[billybob44]

Yes, and no on #1....

The 45 Colt is the way to go, for two reasons:

1) If Indiana's regulations don't change for next season, you'll be able to hunt deer with it.

2) You can buy a companion revolver to go with it and reload for both.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...47012-45-70-deer-legal-round-development.html

^^^You KNOW that we will still "Trim" as needed..HA HA..

Broom, I just HAD to bring this back up--As of now, I do not know if I am going to trim anymore of my 45-70 cases down, or NOT?? HA HA...Bill.

 

[Leadeye]

Both are good rifle cartridges, either way learn how to cast bullets.

 

[Broom_jm]

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...47012-45-70-deer-legal-round-development.html

^^^You KNOW that we will still "Trim" as needed..HA HA..

Broom, I just HAD to bring this back up--As of now, I do not know if I am going to trim anymore of my 45-70 cases down, or NOT?? HA HA...Bill.

Yep, I made a few posts in that thread, along with the earlier 45 Libertarian thread. Whatever regulations Indiana adopts next year, the 45/70 (trimmed or full-length) will be a good option for deer hunting.

The 45 Colt is definitely easier, if the regs don't change. However, if the regulations DO change and allow regular rifle cartridges next year, neither of these rounds would give you the best in terms of long-range shooting. With that being said, I would find the 45 Colt more interesting because it can be shot (reasonably) from both a rifle and a revolver.

 

[lizerdking]

+1 on 45LC.

If you're looking for cheap to reload, why rule out the 357/38 you are familiar with? 357 packs a whollop in a lever gun and 38's are dirt cheap to reload.

 

[HoughMade]

Yep, I made a few posts in that thread, along with the earlier 45 Libertarian thread. Whatever regulations Indiana adopts next year, the 45/70 (trimmed or full-length) will be a good option for deer hunting...

I'd be afraid the 45 Libertarian would explode in my hands rather than be aimed at a target not it's own choosing.

Anyhoo, he didn't say anything about deer hunting.

If you greatly enjoyed the .38/.357 and want to replicate that experience, to an extent, choose the .45 LC.

If you want something different that can be beastly or not, try the 45-70. I'm a 45-70 fan.

 

[Contender]

I have both, plan on keeping both, but I would pick the 45 Colt if I only had one. Pleasure to shoot, very little kick if not hot loaded to the higher pressures. Cheaper to reload if using jacketed bullets. Easier to reload, 45 Colt carbide dies vs 45-70 steel dies, no lube needed for the 45 colt.

 

[rxer]

45 colt is way cheaper. I load both and the bullets for the 45/70 run quite a bit more and the powder is a whole lot more. You'll want to shoot it much more if you get the 45 colt.

 

[1911ly]

I have a 45-70. It's not a light weight round by any means. I am a bit of a recoil junkie. I have shot it 40 times in one setting. Shall we just say I knew it the next and the day after. I love it. I bought it to eventuality take a hog with it. For just lever gun plinking I am really fond of my 44mag. I have though about getting a 45lc but I have a couple 44mag pistols so I think I will stick with the 44mag.

Have fun with what ever you get! Both are awesome. Keep in mind that the 45-70 runs about 2 bucks a round off the shelf. Not sure about the 45lc.

 

[Chaplain45]

Just for clarity, my experience on the 38/357 is with my brother in law's rifle. This will be my first lever action. I Don't think I crave recoil like you 1911ly, but I don't necessarily fear it when necessary. I hunt with a 450 bushmaster and am well pleased with the results. However, it would be good (and fun) to have another option. If I hear everyone correctly reloading cost would generally favor the 45lc.
now the search begins.

 

[warren5421]

I shoot both but only use black powder or 777. I load the .45-70 down to .45 Colt loads and fill rest of case with grits. My Marlin has a 32" barrel but do to oal needs of the Marlin I can't load anything above .405 grs RNFP. The Sharps and Trapdoor I use 525 gr RN bullets lubed with balck powder lube. I hand load the first rouind with the 525 gr round.

 

[NKBJ]

Long since lost my 45-70 but of the two that would definitely be the one to choose. Light weight bullets work in a 45-70 to duplicate 45 Colt loads if wanted.
Currently my .45 go to rifle is a TC New Englander with peep sight and .458" bore to muzzle load as cast 45-70 lead bullets. It also works well with paper patched including soft cast .45 Colt bullets. Lets me shoot caseless ammo for what amounts to .45 Schofield on up to .45-120.

 

[sloughfoot]

I forgot about #2400. I load 16 grains under a 300 grain lead bullet for 30-30, .308, and 30-06. It should be a great reduced load for 45-70 too.

Like the others have said, 45-70 does not HAVE to be a thumper.

But I just loaded up several thousand 45LC, 255 LSWC with Win 231 at about 850 fps. I enjoy shooting them too..

 

[jbombelli]

Yep, I made a few posts in that thread, along with the earlier 45 Libertarian thread. Whatever regulations Indiana adopts next year, the 45/70 (trimmed or full-length) will be a good option for deer hunting.

The 45 Colt is definitely easier, if the regs don't change. However, if the regulations DO change and allow regular rifle cartridges next year, neither of these rounds would give you the best in terms of long-range shooting. With that being said, I would find the 45 Colt more interesting because it can be shot (reasonably) from both a rifle and a revolver.