H&R .45-70 Handi-rifle

Is it an ejector or extractor barrel. They can be loaded mild to wild. I load mine with 300 gr hollow points at 2000 fps. It hits hard at both ends. I used to push them at 2100 fps but my shoulder said to back off. My current load nearly touches 3 at 100 if I do my part.
 
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My Grandfather had a Handi rifle in 45/70, it was the first rifle in the caliber Id ever seen... and the first time Id seen a 45/70 cartridge. Never did get to shoot it.

But it did spark an interest in such things and eventually I got ahold of a Marlin 1895... but I always wonder where that Handi rifle ended up... such cool guns.
 
45/70fan said:
Is it an ejector or extractor barrel. They can be loaded mild to wild. I load mine with 300 gr hollow points at 2000 fps. It hits hard at both ends. I used to push them at 2100 fps but my shoulder said to back off. My current load nearly touches 3 at 100 if I do my part.
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What powder do you use?
 
Reloader 7. I hear H4198 is very good too but I haven't tried it.
 
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45/70fan said:
Is it an ejector or extractor barrel. They can be loaded mild to wild. I load mine with 300 gr hollow points at 2000 fps. It hits hard at both ends. I used to push them at 2100 fps but my shoulder said to back off. My current load nearly touches 3 at 100 if I do my part.
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Extractor I believe.

I have some Cowboy type loads put up for my Marlin 1895, but plan on using the more modern loads for this one.

Anyone got a recommendation for a good stout low power variable scope that'll take a .45-70 thumping and survive?
 
USMC6094 said:
Anyone got a recommendation for a good stout low power variable scope that'll take a .45-70 thumping and survive?
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I've got a Burris Fullfield II 2x7 on my 1895. It stands up to some full power loads and has a lifetime guarantee.
 
Handies here in...223...30-06....38 Spec, .357 Mag and .357 Max...44 Mag and .500 S&W Mag........They are Great little guns [Mike despises them]...this makes me Happy!!!;):):D:D:D🙋‍♀️ Even though it would be overlapping with the .357s I'd like to have one in 9mm.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
Handies here in...223...30-06....38 Spec, .357 Mag and .357 Max...44 Mag and .500 S&W Mag........They are Great little guns [Mike despises them]...this makes me Happy!!!;):):D:D:D🙋‍♀️ Even though it would be overlapping with the .357s I'd like to have one in 9mm.
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I've trimmed mine down to ..20 ga...357 Mag...357 Max/20 ga combo (factory Max)...30/30.
 
45/70fan said:
I've trimmed mine down to ..20 ga...357 Mag...357 Max/20 ga combo (factory Max)...30/30.
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All of mine except the .500 S&W started life as $75-$100 shotguns from Pawn shops...I sent them all in and had them converted to rifles and returned for $100 each......ahhhh the good Ole days.
 
Ordered an aluminum EGW picatinny scope base and a set of rings, as well as a Choate adjustable LOP stock this afternoon.

Now it's on to the optic.......
 
Candidates at this point include 1.5-4×20, and 2-7×33. But I'm still looking. I'd prefer a fixed power, but options seem a bit limited.
 
USMC6094 said:
Candidates at this point include 1.5-4×20, and 2-7×33. But I'm still looking. I'd prefer a fixed power, but options seem a bit limited.
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They are all fixed power if you set it and forget it.

My 2-7 has been stuck on 4 since I've had it. Fixed power is just as expensive as variable.
 
Well, the EGW base and rings arrived this PM.

The installed Weaver base has been removed, barrel and EGW mount degreased, the base/mounting screws blue loctited, and the base mounted.

Now it's setting up and you guys wouldn't believe how close the tolerance is between the rear of the base, and the breach face is so close you can't see light between the two, but there is a gap there.

I also found I had a pair of 30mm rings stashed, so I have the larger tube option for the scope selection.

The new stock will be here Tuesday, according to USPS.......
 
Thread it and put a can on it. You will really love it then.
Mine is cut down to 16" and threaded. Trail boss powder and a 380 grain projectile is the ticket.
 
Meh. I had mine cut down to 18 inches. Ran a cheapo Tru-Glo red dot on it that shouldn't have been able to stand up to much of anything recoil-wise. Mounted on the crappy aluminum chinese rail that came with. Generally always shot 405gr. full pressure factory loads. Had it for years and it never did break the Tru-Glo or lose zero.

Maybe I'm just a fat redenck with built-in recoil pads on my shoulders, but the "kick" only felt like a single shot 12 gauge to me. Maybe less.

Got rid of it when I got my lever. Set the lever up with 405 gr. +P gas checked HSM Bear Load rounds. That sumbitch tries to break my skull every time I shoot it!
 
Went back looking for pics of it. Forgot I had it parkerized and put a youth stock on it. If I'd have took down to 16 inches it would've been even funnier lookin! LOL!

Maybe red dots aren't as fragile as magnified optics. I dunno. But I wouldn't overthink the sturdiness of the optic unless you just want to.


ALVISbuck 005 (2).JPG
 
Choate stock arrived yesterday.

Swapped out the NEF stock this afternoon after work. Man what difference adjustable length of pull makes.

After the install, I noticed the pistol grip was hollow, open all the way to threads on the stock bolt. Unlike the Choate Super Sniper stock that's got a cover, but the Super Sniper stocks pistol grip is not open on the top end. Gotta find a way to fix this.........

Now, optic search continues......
 
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thrillhill said:
Meh. I had mine cut down to 18 inches. Ran a cheapo Tru-Glo red dot on it that shouldn't have been able to stand up to much of anything recoil-wise. Mounted on the crappy aluminum chinese rail that came with. Generally always shot 405gr. full pressure factory loads. Had it for years and it never did break the Tru-Glo or lose zero.

Maybe I'm just a fat redenck with built-in recoil pads on my shoulders, but the "kick" only felt like a single shot 12 gauge to me. Maybe less.

Got rid of it when I got my lever. Set the lever up with 405 gr. +P gas checked HSM Bear Load rounds. That sumbitch tries to break my skull every time I shoot it!
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Factory loads are usually loaded to the low end of pressure due to all the old trapdoor Springfield still in circulation. The custom +p loads are at Marlin level loads.

The normal loads aren't much more than a 12 gauge. The marlin level can make your fillings come loose.

The older I get, the less likely I am to load to marlin level. The old 1200-1300 fps loads work just fine on anything we have around here.
 
So what is a good price on a nice used ( not abused) 45/70 Handi? I just looked at one in a local pawn shop.
It looked good, no dings or scratches, bore looked good. Actually looked like it was not fired much.
 
I paid 266 and change for mine. The Weaver base looked like it saw more use than the rifle did.
 
cold1 said:
Factory loads are usually loaded to the low end of pressure due to all the old trapdoor Springfield still in circulation. The custom +p loads are at Marlin level loads.

The normal loads aren't much more than a 12 gauge. The marlin level can make your fillings come loose.

The older I get, the less likely I am to load to marlin level. The old 1200-1300 fps loads work just fine on anything we have around here.
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Yeah mostly.

When I had the single shot and about the time I got the lever action Remington was offering two different loads for the 405 grain.

I'd have to go back and look at my old boxes to get the exact nomenclature but there was a "Low Pressure" offering at around 1330fps and a "Standard Pressure" offering at around 1600fps. I stuck to the 1600fps with the single shot and still wasn't bothered by the recoil.

The other stuff I had back then was Winchester and Federal 300gr. HPs and the recoil from them was below negligible. To me anyway.

When I was digging around back then, seemed the fellas on the Marlin boards and Graybeard etc. were categorizing them into three "pressure groups":

Trapdoor

Marlin

Ruger


The lever I'm running now with the HSM loads isn't for hunting. One of the few guns I've set up in a long time that's just for fun. Kinda like when riding roller coasters used to be fun. Little scary at the same time! LOL!
 
$266 sounds like a great price as what I looked at in the pawn shop they had listed at $429. With it being a pawn shop I might could talk the, down but probably not to what you paid.
 
Since the removal of the NEF shotgun length stock, installation of the Choate replacement, and EGW picatinny rail. A homeless set of Eotech 30mm rings occupy the rail at this time.
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