45-70 dangerous game?

Flbt · Mar 25, 2025

I have seen a lot of 9.3 questions.
And I have read about people using the 45-70 on buffalo.
I do know a man that used one on the water buff that are on hunting ranchers/ operation in fl. He use the 405 gr jsp. But he shot it in the head. So anything that would get through the skull would be enough on that shot.

Any thoughts on its use on the big bears and buffalo up?

I have used it on hogs no problem I would use it on black bear.
But o am not sure about anything bigger.

dchum · Mar 25, 2025

Probably 100 threads on this.

Search function is very helpful

thriller · Mar 25, 2025

SETH RINGER · Mar 25, 2025

ARGENTINA WATER BUFF AND RSA LIONESS TAKEN NO PROBLEM.

Northern Shooter · Mar 25, 2025

Bears in North America yes, Cape Buffalo in Africa no.

A hot 45-70 load produces about the same energy as a 180gr 30.06, with far worse sectional density.

Tundra Tiger · Mar 25, 2025

Cape buffalo, yes. 2 (so far) single shot kills that got dead really, really fast. Shot placement and the right bullet, just as with anything else.

Certus · Mar 25, 2025

Reaallly common for water buffalo over here. But so are 308’s.

Wiley64 · Mar 25, 2025

Safari Dave · Mar 25, 2025

I completely don't understand the mindset of someone who wants to use a cartridge with 1,500 ft/lbs of muzzle energy on DG...

Serious big game hunters would use a cartridge that delivers at least 4,000 ft/lbs.

If someone else was "footing the bill" I would shoot buffalo all day long with a .30/06, if I didn't have to follow them into the bush.

For the record - I'm not a fan of "Stunt Shooting"

Apparently, many are, so, I will throw no more stones...

Neil Molendyk · Mar 25, 2025

I talked to Craig Boddington about this very question. I was considering taking a Ruger No 1 for Cape Buffalo. I had worked up a load with 500 gr Hornadys and its ballistics were not far off a 458 Win Mag and Mr Boddington's opinion was that with the strength of the Ruger action, proper bullet and placement it would be fine. I never did use it for Cape Buffalo but it sure ventilated a bull moose.

Green Chile · Mar 25, 2025

Yes it can be done...no it's far from ideal or what's recommended...and there are many topics on this already. Bears are much easier to kill than Cape buffalo and ballistic recommendations are far different for the two. Lots of bears are killed with .300 or .338 but that won't even get you in the door for Cape buffalo.

Flbt · Mar 25, 2025

dchum said:
Probably 100 threads on this.

Search function is very helpful

I actually tried. It brought up a buch of 45-70 post but nothing spiffick. I figured there probably was. I can only post pic on this thing maybe 1/4 of the time I try.
I don’t know if it’s me or my internet connection. I have 1 bar in the intent thing.
So sorry but simply I am a dumb ass as far as the computer thing is concerned.
Sorry to trubble you.
But you did have the other option to just not click on the topic.
I am barely have any computer capabilities
Much less this smart phone thing

Certus · Mar 25, 2025

Safari Dave said:
I completely don't understand the mindset of someone who wants to use a cartridge with 1,500 ft/lbs of muzzle energy on DG...

Serious big game hunters would use a cartridge that delivers at least 4,000 ft/lbs.

If someone else was "footing the bill" I would shoot buffalo all day long with a .30/06, if I didn't have to follow them into the bush.

For the record - I'm not a fan of "Stunt Shooting"

Apparently, many are, so, I will throw no more stones...

I’m seeing 3600ft/lbs listed, not 1500?

Raven · Mar 25, 2025

It's probably possible. But it's hardly worth it.

Ernest Hemingway wrote in "The Green Hills of Africa" how he shot buffaloes on safari from .30-06. But he had several licenses on hand and he could afford it. Now the trophy is worth much more, it would be a shame to lose it. It's also a shame if PH ends up shooting the beast.

I'm not even talking about the fact that a wounded animal can attack and harm someone from the hunting team.

Lance Hopper · Mar 25, 2025

It all depends on the bullet and how much velocity can you get. I load for a friend’s 450 NE double. He has a shoulder injury and can’t take full recoil. For his softs I load 295gr. Cutting edge safari raptors, and for solids I use 325gr. Safari solids at 2150 fps. To date he has killed 4 Cape buffalo and a 60 lb. Elephant. If you’re 45-70 is strong enough for that bullet and velocity, then I seriously doubt the animal will react any differently because of the case you used. By the way, there was no tracking required for any of these animals. With this type of bullet, sectional density means nothing. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Flbt · Mar 25, 2025

Neil Molendyk said:
I talked to Craig Boddington about this very question. I was considering taking a Ruger No 1 for Cape Buffalo. I had worked up a load with 500 gr Hornadys and its ballistics were not far off a 458 Win Mag and Mr Boddington's opinion was that with the strength of the Ruger action, proper bullet and placement it would be fine. I never did use it for Cape Buffalo but it sure ventilated a bull moose.

Didn’t he let his doughter use a 405 on them?

Flbt · Mar 25, 2025

Green Chile said:
Yes it can be done...no it's far from ideal or what's recommended...and there are many topics on this already. Bears are much easier to kill than Cape buffalo and ballistic recommendations are far different for the two. Lots of bears are killed with .300 or .338 but that won't even get you in the door for Cape buffalo.

I know there is a difference in the cape buff and a bear
I not sure I would want the 45-70 on a big bear.
On of the things with the buff ( I do know there a difference) but it looks like a big cow.

Flbt · Mar 25, 2025

Safari Dave said:
I completely don't understand the mindset of someone who wants to use a cartridge with 1,500 ft/lbs of muzzle energy on DG...

Serious big game hunters would use a cartridge that delivers at least 4,000 ft/lbs.

If someone else was "footing the bill" I would shoot buffalo all day long with a .30/06, if I didn't have to follow them into the bush.

For the record - I'm not a fan of "Stunt Shooting"

Apparently, many are, so, I will throw no more stones...

I am not planning on hunting a cape buff with one ( I am a idiot that thought of buying a 458w to use on deer and hogs)
But reading I have as under the impression that the 9.3 were ok for a cool head on dg
Then seeing here that maybe it’s not.

lwaters · Mar 25, 2025

Green Chile said:
Yes it can be done...no it's far from ideal or what's recommended...and there are many topics on this already. Bears are much easier to kill than Cape buffalo and ballistic recommendations are far different for the two. Lots of bears are killed with .300 or .338 but that won't even get you in the door for Cape buffalo.

I would rather use a 338 Winchester mag. loaded with 275 grain a-frame at 2400 fps. then a 45-70.

Flbt · Mar 25, 2025

Safari Dave said:
I completely don't understand the mindset of someone who wants to use a cartridge with 1,500 ft/lbs of muzzle energy on DG...

Serious big game hunters would use a cartridge that delivers at least 4,000 ft/lbs.

If someone else was "footing the bill" I would shoot buffalo all day long with a .30/06, if I didn't have to follow them into the bush.

For the record - I'm not a fan of "Stunt Shooting"

Apparently, many are, so, I will throw no more stones...

Well how does it stack up compared to handgun hunting dg?
I read 44 mag, 45 colt, 454, the 500
And then all the older hot handguns that Ross Sigfred used in the 80 and 90?

45-70 dangerous game?

Flbt

dchum

thriller

SETH RINGER

Northern Shooter

Tundra Tiger

Certus

Wiley64

Safari Dave

Neil Molendyk

Green Chile

Flbt

Certus

Raven

Lance Hopper

Flbt

Flbt

Flbt

lwaters

Flbt

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