400gr Speer 45-70

[Kuula]

The 400gr Speer is excellent bullet. I use them for moose hunting here in Finland.
My load has v0=1950fps and it has worked for me from 5 to 130 meters when hunting moose. This was recovered from a bull mosse that I shot from 5 meters. Shot went behind shoulder plate and trough the other side shoulder plate and was behind the skin. Under 30 meters they tend to stop behind the skin and longer shots are pass troughs.

 

[IvW]

Ive considered loading the 405gr woodleighs but they are out of stock at the moment and the swifts are $74 a box

How much is the elk?

 

[Ray B]

I think Midway got a shipment of Woodleighs- they were out of stock for what seemed forever, then several of the varieties were listed as in stock; now several are Out of stock but backorder is an option; so appears they expect a resupply in the near future. As for Speers, bullets of .475" designed for the 480 Ruger, which will work in the 479 NE for range time/reduced loads as well as other diameter bullets are listed as out of stock. I e-mailed speer customer service recently and asked if there was an expected date when the 475 bullets would be available and I got a very uncourteous reply- so much so that if someone else made similar bullets I would go with them.

 

[Papabear55]

How much is the elk?

I recently switched to hardcast for now anyhow, but the elk for me is the price of gas and a resident tag so about 160 bucks

 

[crs]

I have taken a Cape Buff with the 400 grain Woodleigh Weldcore - with my Winchester 1895 .405 WCF.
That bullet penetrated about 4 feet and exited , buff died.

 

[Alaska338]

350 gr Speer FN
48.0 of IMR 4198
Marlin Trapper 45/70

 

[hoytcanon]

Take a look at the Barnes Original 400 FN, they are an excellent bullet on game. I use the Original 400 SP in my .458 WM bolt action Carbine.

 

[Alaska338]

Love the 350gr Speer at 2000 fps in Marlin GG / Trapper 45/70. Seat the OAL at 2.600” and apply a Lee factory crimp on it. IMR 4198 @ 48.0
Tough bullet will shoot thru Alaskan Moose and Bear with ease.

 

[eyedok]

Strange, i have used the 405 Speer in a Marlin lever for 25+ years on bears, whitetails, pigs and a bison and never had any cycling issues, also had them loaded max and never any penetration issues

 

[Alaska338]

Strange, i have used the 405 Speer in a Marlin lever for 25+ years on bears, whitetails, pigs and a bison and never had any cycling issues, also had them loaded max and never any penetration issues

You shouldn’t have cycle issue with Speer 405gr since their designed for 45/70. The 350gr Speer was actually made for the 458 Win Mag so you have to seat it a tad deeper for Marlin Lever at 2.60”.

The Woodleigh 350gr RN another bullet designed for the 458 WM that works well in 45/70 with its thicker jacket especially at 2000 fps in Marlin.