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.45-70 load for Black Bear (Read 6265 times)

OldMaineWoodsman Newbie Offline Posts: 6 Joined: Dec 11^th, 2020	.45-70 load for Black Bear Jun 12^th, 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.


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Bulseyetom Oldtimer Offline Posts: 941 Location: Santa Maria, Ca Joined: Oct 31^st, 2010	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #1 - Jun 12^th, 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


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irish66 Oldtimer Offline Posts: 533 Location: newbraunfels Joined: Apr 7^th, 2007	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #2 - Jun 13^th, 2021 at 4:59pm	Print Post
	Why not a 535 gr postal?


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Bulseyetom Oldtimer Offline Posts: 941 Location: Santa Maria, Ca Joined: Oct 31^st, 2010	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #3 - Jun 13^th, 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


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irish66 Oldtimer Offline Posts: 533 Location: newbraunfels Joined: Apr 7^th, 2007	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #4 - Jun 13^th, 2021 at 6:00pm	Print Post
	Time to learn


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Zack T Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 354 Joined: Apr 9^th, 2010	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #5 - Jun 13^th, 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.


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BlackPowderLove Junior Member Offline Posts: 62 Location: Western Uplands of Wisconsin Joined: Jul 12^th, 2020	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #6 - Jun 14^th, 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”
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85lc Junior Member Offline Posts: 50 Location: Georgia Joined: Jun 28^th, 2018	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #7 - Jun 15^th, 2021 at 8:20pm	Print Post
	BlackPowderLove wrote on Jun 14^th, 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
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BlackPowderLove Junior Member Offline Posts: 62 Location: Western Uplands of Wisconsin Joined: Jul 12^th, 2020	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #8 - Jun 16^th, 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”
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OldMaineWoodsman Newbie Offline Posts: 6 Joined: Dec 11^th, 2020	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #9 - Jun 19^th, 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.


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Schuetzendave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Retired Ex-Shooter Posts: 3955 Location: St. Albert, Alberta Joined: Jan 28^th, 2005	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #10 - Jun 23^rd, 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.


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westerner Frequent Elocutionist Offline deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 11326 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #11 - Jun 24^th, 2021 at 11:56am	Print Post
	Be careful!

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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CW Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 492 Joined: Feb 20^th, 2018	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #12 - Jun 24^th, 2021 at 2:17pm	Print Post
	OldMaineWoodsman wrote on Jun 12^th, 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?


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3750 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #13 - Jun 24^th, 2021 at 3:20pm	Print Post
	I think he was asking whether to use factory 300s or factory 405s.


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CW Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 492 Joined: Feb 20^th, 2018	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #14 - Jun 24^th, 2021 at 4:58pm	Print Post
	Okay. I reread it with your reply in mind and I agree.


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Schuetzendave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Retired Ex-Shooter Posts: 3955 Location: St. Albert, Alberta Joined: Jan 28^th, 2005	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #15 - Jun 24^th, 2021 at 6:01pm	Print Post
	The bear that just about got me in 1987 killed Dave Hyde even though he had a double barreled shotgun with slugs. But it was a Grizzly and not a black bear. I won't tell you the rest of the details.


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Eddie Southgate Newbie Offline Posts: 5 Location: Alabama Joined: Jan 4^th, 2020	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #16 - Jan 28^th, 2022 at 12:53pm	Print Post
	Since you don't reload I would buy whatever 405 grain load I could find and use that . Really , any factory load would do regardless of bullet weight , the bear ain't gonna know the difference. I load my own and use both the 405's and the Lee 340 F , both shoot well in my Marlin and both kill well on Deer and large Hogs , really can't tell a difference. Buy what you can find.


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northwoodneil Full Member Offline Posts: 105 Location: Wisconsin Joined: Jul 25^th, 2021	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #17 - Jan 31^st, 2022 at 4:52pm	Print Post
	405 grain Remmy's do the job for me. I reload but only to about the velocity of factory loads. 300 grain will work too but I shy away from the Hornady 325's. I think they are to thin in the jacket for the speed they push 'em. I've had a couple come apart on some fairly light targets. Just my .02 YMMV


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bullshop Full Member Offline Posts: 177 Joined: Sep 14^th, 2017	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #18 - Feb 25^th, 2023 at 6:38pm	Print Post
	45-70 has always been my choice for anything big bears or the big deer moose and elk. In a lifetime of hunting Montana and Alaska my 45-70 has accounted for numerous black bears and two grizzly. The two Grizzly were taken with one shot each one with a 500 grain paper patch bullet and the other with a 525 grain flat nose gas checked bullet. Both were loaded to 1550 fps


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RBKenn Full Member Offline Posts: 240 Location: fallon Joined: Apr 8^th, 2011	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #19 - Feb 26^th, 2023 at 12:32am	Print Post
	I have shot several black bear with factory 405s from a marlin lever action rifle. All inside 100yds Never had an issue with any of them. Deadly on bear.


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flint45 Participating Member Offline Posts: 43 Location: Nampa, Idaho Joined: Nov 18^th, 2018	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #20 - Apr 26^th, 2023 at 10:34am	Print Post
	I like the Remington 405 grain factory load for most hunting and they have been deadly on black bear if you want more power I would go with Buffalo Bore ammo.


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Kansas Highwall Participating Member Offline Posts: 15 Joined: Oct 12^th, 2023	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #21 - Oct 20^th, 2023 at 9:29pm	Print Post
	The 1885 is my favoirte rifle but I've only used it in competition and not hunting. I'm scared of bears so I would probably go with the max ammo available if I took up the courage to go hunting for bear. 45-70 400gr TCXS Mad Pig (Total Copper X-panding Subsonic Defensive Ammunition) It's really expensive but life saving.


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Kansas Highwall Participating Member Offline Posts: 15 Joined: Oct 12^th, 2023	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #22 - Oct 20^th, 2023 at 9:34pm	Print Post
	Kansas Highwall wrote on Oct 20^th, 2023 at 9:29pm: The 1885 is my favoirte rifle but I've only used it in competition and not hunting. I'm scared of bears so I would probably go with the max ammo available if I took up the courage to go hunting for bear. 45-70 400gr TCXS Mad Pig (Total Copper X-panding Subsonic Defensive Ammunition) It's really expensive but life saving.


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SchwartzStock Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1008 Location: SchwarzWald Joined: Mar 23^rd, 2010	Re: .45-70 load for Black Bear Reply #23 - Oct 22^nd, 2023 at 11:53am	Print Post
	Has the OP been back here since June of 2021?

	Halt Fest! Ziel Gut! Schiess Fleck!
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