Thread: The 45-70 gets a work out.

With a week off work and the kids still at school, I had a green light for an overnight hunt into an area I had always wanted to check out but had never got around to it. Arriving at the carpark It was perfect weather, so I shouldered my pack and proceeded to walk the 12km into the hut. Following along the river there were a huge number of goats however they were off the cards at this stage due to the DOC boundaries and the fact that I was trying for some Fallow or a pig. Arriving at the hut after 3.5 walking it was time to have a brew and check out the clearings and hopefully pull something off them.





The sign around the clearings for Fallow and pig would be described as low however, that wasn't too surprising as DOC had said that as well. There was plenty of goat sign though and a few mobs that I let go in favour of the other species. Waiting on the final clearing until last light produced nothing so back to the hut for a feed and a sleep, ready for tomorrows hunt.



The mornings hunt pretty much mirror imaged the evenings but I also stalked up a large clearing up the back of the hut that was quite a steep wee climb. No fallow or Pigs sighted and with the amount of goats around they were now on the cards. As I came around the corner and onto one of the clearings there was a mob of 8 goats feeding away. I waited until they were all more or less in the open and worked my way from the outside in, 5 shots 5 goats down and an extra finishing shot as I hadn't quite given enough lead on one of them. Gotta love the lever action and red dot sight for fast reloads and target acquisition . The 45-70 throwing 300gr projectiles at 2105fps hits with authority!



I decided to head back up the ridge track to the top clearing as the sun was out and it was later in the morning perfect goat time. Sure enough There were three on it one of which was a big billy, they were getting out there at 136yds especially for a 5moa red dot. I set up on the Billy and fired dropping him on the spot, the other two nannys ran towards the bush edge I was in and stopped not knowing where the shot came from. Three more shots and they were both down (I missed the first shot) . Certainly no shortage of goat meat for the freezer and some for the dog too!



Back at the hut it was time to pack up and walk back to the car, the body was a bit tired and the pack a bit heavier so it took 4 hours this time arriving at 1800. A great little trip and somewhere I would definitely go back to especially with the Kids when they could walk that distance, as there are plenty of opportunities for them.

Stay safe out there

James

Awesome.
Cool rifle in a cool caliber.
Always had a thing for levers but the first one I bought (Rossi 44mag) didnt even function and the second it was replaced with nearly put me off them for life.
There is a spot in the safe tho.

Nice looking country, well done it looks like you had great fun in there. Love the rifle.

Nice one bro

I took my 45/70 to the range last weekend bloody blast. Not bad to shoot on the shoulder either

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Awesome.
Cool rifle in a cool caliber.
Always had a thing for levers but the first one I bought (Rossi 44mag) didnt even function and the second it was replaced with nearly put me off them for life.
There is a spot in the safe tho.

That's a shame, I can definitely recommend the Marlins, no issue whatsoever with mine or others who have had them.

Originally Posted by 199p

Nice one bro

I took my 45/70 to the range last weekend bloody blast. Not bad to shoot on the shoulder either

Nice man they're a cool calibre, Factory or reloads? If you want some data or borrow some 2207 powder just PM.

Originally Posted by mawzer308

That's a shame, I can definitely recommend the Marlins, no issue whatsoever with mine or others who have had them.



Nice man they're a cool calibre, Factory or reloads? If you want some data or borrow some 2207 powder just PM.

Cheers man just going to shoot factory for now, dont think ill use it enough to worry about reloads.
Got dies, brass and projectiles with it tho.

Mint

"Gotta love the lever action and red dot sight for fast reloads and target acquisition "

Good hunt and as an aside I finial fitted my refurbished OEG along with the spring kit to the rossi 357.
Havent even sighted it in yet.

That was a great write up with some interesting pictures! Thank you for sharing.

Has anyone ever poked a hole in there finger with the trigger on one of them?

Originally Posted by Gibo

Has anyone ever poked a hole in there finger with the trigger on one of them?

Can't say I have mate, however with stout hand loads off the bench it can bite you a bit, especially with the design of the stock.

Originally Posted by mawzer308

Can't say I have mate, however with stout hand loads off the bench it can bite you a bit, especially with the design of the stock.

I bet! I was more meaning when closing the lever.

Ah righto, nope haven't had that occur but someone probably has haha I leave the finger out when closing to avoid that and a potential discharge.

great stuff.....that cartridge is starting to cause an itch I just have to scratch....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

great stuff.....that cartridge is starting to cause an itch I just have to scratch....

I was thinking the same thing...