Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2  Send TopicPrint
Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) .45-70 load for Black Bear (Read 6266 times)
OldMaineWoodsman
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 6
Joined: Dec 11th, 2020
.45-70 load for Black Bear
Jun 12th, 2021 at 8:34am
Print Post  
Good morning:

I would like to use my .45-70 Browning 78 this fall on a Black Bear hunt.   It will be over bait and fairly close range.   I know that most commercially available factory loads would be fine, just curious as to a preference for the 300 or traditional 405 grain projectile?   I don't reload, and would like to hear some experience.   Thanks in advance for any input.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Bulseyetom
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 941
Location: Santa Maria, Ca
Joined: Oct 31st, 2010
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #1 - Jun 12th, 2021 at 6:22pm
Print Post  
I go by the theory of bigger is better.  A 405 gr bullet at a velocity LOW enough to be comfortable to shoot would be my vote.  The last factory load I shot in a 45-70 was about 1973 or so in my grandpa's 1886 and killed a blacktail buck at 125 yards.  As I remember the velocity was around 1400 fps.  I loaded up some 405 jacketed bullets to 1800 fps and with that crescent buttplate hurt so bad I developed a flinch and couldn't have hit an elephant!  Tom
  
Back to top
Twitter  
IP Logged
 
irish66
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 533
Location: newbraunfels
Joined: Apr 7th, 2007
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #2 - Jun 13th, 2021 at 4:59pm
Print Post  
Why not a 535 gr postal?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Bulseyetom
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 941
Location: Santa Maria, Ca
Joined: Oct 31st, 2010
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #3 - Jun 13th, 2021 at 5:11pm
Print Post  
Irish, the poster says he does not reload so that pretty much rules out the Postel unless maybe BACO sells loaded Postel bullets.  Tom
  
Back to top
Twitter  
IP Logged
 
irish66
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 533
Location: newbraunfels
Joined: Apr 7th, 2007
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #4 - Jun 13th, 2021 at 6:00pm
Print Post  
Time to learn
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Zack T
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 354
Joined: Apr 9th, 2010
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #5 - Jun 13th, 2021 at 11:34pm
Print Post  
I like the postel on targets but not as much on animals. Im old fashioned and think the 457193 is the perfect cast bullet for something the size of a average blackbear and the 457125 great for bigger stuff. This is assuming reloading with black powder. If buying factory I would lean towards the 405gr loads but the wincehster or remington 300gr jhp loads would work fine on bear. Id stay away from the “cowboy loads” or anyones lead bullet reloads.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
BlackPowderLove
Junior Member
**
Offline



Posts: 62
Location: Western Uplands of Wisconsin
Joined: Jul 12th, 2020
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #6 - Jun 14th, 2021 at 8:30am
Print Post  
Not 45-70 but very similar is my 11.15x60.  I use a 400 grain lead pill and took 3 deer and a bear with it last year.  It did a number on the bear.   

  

“Tradition is not to preserve the ashes but to pass on the flame”
Back to top
WWW  
IP Logged
 
85lc
Junior Member
**
Offline



Posts: 50
Location: Georgia
Joined: Jun 28th, 2018
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #7 - Jun 15th, 2021 at 8:20pm
Print Post  
BlackPowderLove wrote on Jun 14th, 2021 at 8:30am:
Not 45-70 but very similar is my 11.15x60.  I use a 400 grain lead pill and took 3 deer and a bear with it last year.  It did a number on the bear.  


What was your load?  I have a double rifle in 11.15x60 and am interested in different loads.  Have used 77 gr 2F black powder and 32 gr 4198 pushing a 350 gr pp swaged bullet.
  

NRA Life Member, ASSRA Life Member, GGCA Life Member
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
BlackPowderLove
Junior Member
**
Offline



Posts: 62
Location: Western Uplands of Wisconsin
Joined: Jul 12th, 2020
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #8 - Jun 16th, 2021 at 8:57am
Print Post  
I am usually running 75gr. of 1.5F Olde Eynsford.  On top of that I put a small .45 card wad and then a 400 grain lead pill thrown for a custom mold from Accurate.  I will post an image of the mold specs below.  Unlike most of what I have read on loading for these 1871 Mausers, mine likes a bigger bullet at .450.
  

“Tradition is not to preserve the ashes but to pass on the flame”
Back to top
WWW  
IP Logged
 
OldMaineWoodsman
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 6
Joined: Dec 11th, 2020
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #9 - Jun 19th, 2021 at 8:27am
Print Post  
Thanks for all of the input.   Yes, the cowboy loads are fun to practice with, especially the light recoil.   I would never use them for hunting.

I'm going to try the Buffalo Bore load with the 405gr JFN load.   I also like the Remington 405gr Core-Lokt. 

I'll see which one shoots the best in my rifle and go with it.

  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Schuetzendave
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Retired Ex-Shooter

Posts: 3955
Location: St. Albert, Alberta
Joined: Jan 28th, 2005
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #10 - Jun 23rd, 2021 at 10:55am
Print Post  
Glad you chose the 405 grain bullet which has better Knock Down power.

Using that bullet you have a Taylor Knock Down Power of 30 shooting it at 1,165 fps and can go up to a Knock Down Power of 47 shooting at 1,800 fps.

For comparison a 173 grain .303 has a Knock Down Power of 18 and a 180 grain .30-06  has a Knock Down Power of 21.8 even though they are shooting at faster velocities.

More than adequate for black bears - I have shot many of them with a 150 grain .30-30.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
westerner
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


deleted posts and threads
record holder.

Posts: 11326
Location: Why, out West of course
Joined: May 29th, 2006
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #11 - Jun 24th, 2021 at 11:56am
Print Post  
Be careful!
  

A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
CW
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 492
Joined: Feb 20th, 2018
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #12 - Jun 24th, 2021 at 2:17pm
Print Post  
OldMaineWoodsman wrote on Jun 12th, 2021 at 8:34am:
Good morning:

I would like to use my .45-70 Browning 78 this fall on a Black Bear hunt.   It will be over bait and fairly close range.   I know that most commercially available factory loads would be fine, just curious as to a preference for the 300 or traditional 405 grain projectile?   I don't reload, and would like to hear some experience.   Thanks in advance for any input.


If you don't hand load ammo, are you just wondering? ...And going to shoot factory ammo I assume.   
I guess I don't really know what you are trying to learn.  It does no good to offer bullet and powder and velocity level advice if you are shooting store ammo.
Not trying to be a jerk, just wondering what you are really trying to ask? 
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
oneatatime
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 3750
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: Oct 30th, 2011
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #13 - Jun 24th, 2021 at 3:20pm
Print Post  
I think he was asking whether to use factory 300s or factory 405s.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
CW
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 492
Joined: Feb 20th, 2018
Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear
Reply #14 - Jun 24th, 2021 at 4:58pm
Print Post  
Okay. I reread it with your reply in mind and I agree.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 
Send TopicPrint