45-70 deer load (copper coated or cast )

[baredog]

looking to load some ammo for Illinois deer season and wondering if i should go with hornady xtp or cast bullets....Wont be shooting over 100-125 yards probably 50-60. Seems you get alot more velocity with xtp bullets but use alot more powder in most 300 -405 grain bullets. Cast bullets go way slower but use alot less powder and maybe less recoil.. I think both can do job but am looking for experienced advice...thanks in advance Baredog( ps brand new using single shot cva 45-70)

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

"Copper coated" or Jacketed? A lead cast bullet with a large diameter flat nose would be my choice. Have you fired the 45-70 yet? A slow cast bullet will definitely have less recoil than the same bullet going faster!

Frank

 

[WV Hitman]

I've used a .45-70 Contender handgun for 40+ years. 400 gr. bullets have increased recoil. I've found friendlier bullets to be Horn. 300 gr. HPs & lead 350 gr. cast HPs. Both do really good damage on deer.

 

[Orr89rocz]

Hornady doesnt make a .458 xtp bullet

Id use the 300 grain hollows and load them mild. They work great

 

[rockhound78]

Same on the 300's. Load the to around 1300-1400fps and you should be fine

 

[baredog]

yea im thinking sierra pro hunter or interlock 300 g bullets( not hornady xtp orr89rocz is right my bad) thinking mild loads 1300-1400 sounds like good idea ...powders i have h322 ,4064,5744,8208 h380 have shot 40-65 but new to 45-70

 

[Charlie-NY]

One of the best whitetail bullets IMO is the Barnes 300TSX. They are designed for the 45-70 and will open at a modest velocity. I shoot them at 2,000 ft/sec and the recoil isn't bad. It really DROPS deer.

More recently, I've been shooting the Hornady 250 MonoFlex which is another all copper bullet. They are very accurate in my Marlin1895. Recoil will be less than most other bullets unless you push them hard.

Virtually any bullet out of a 45-70 will put deer down with authority.