My brother swears by 30-06 for deer. He hunts in Florida and Alabama. it takes a lot of variables out of the equation vs a smaller round that would definitely do the job as well.

In that regard I do agree 45-70 is nice, the two bucks I shot this year with mine dropped. They likely would have died with 44 mag as well, but it's a moot point with the 45-70. It was a clean hole through both times.

As other have mentioned, hunting larger game out west would be better served with a bolt action. Here in the south where its flat 100+ yard shots are abnormal so the 45-70 is good, past 150 I wouldn't use it.

Grizzly bear protection is about the only time I can think that I'd want it over the .44 mag. I may eventually pick up a .44 Marlin for the two revolvers I have but that's not a necessity.

Shooting pigs with either would be really fun I think.

I don't think the recoil is bad at all in the 45-70 though. I'm comfortable shooting mine quite a bit. I don't string together max loaded Underwood often, mostly Hornady levervolution, but that's very manageable. And reloads are even softer.

Anecdote Alert:

A friend bought one of the first generation Marlin .45-70s, the one with "conventional rifling for lead and jacketed bullets" and "any load recommended for the 1886 Winchester." So he loaded it like Elmer Keith said to; a 400 gr bullet and lots of 3031.

Out shooting it one day, a bystander said:
"That's a nice looking .30-30 you got there, buddy."
"It's not a .30-30, mister."
"Sure it is, I know a .30-30 when I seen one. Let me try it out."
"OK, here"
"BANG! Clank clank."
Bystander looked at the empty and said:
"That's the biggest dam' .30-30 I ever saw."

45-70 is probably more of a “want” than a “need” anywhere but where truly dangerous large game could be encountered, hunted, or both. Almost exclusively found in beefy lever guns which are far faster to cycle that a bolt gun if necessary. Contrary to leverevolution loads which have been tailored for deer sized game, traditional 405 grain pills ant moderate speeds are better penetrators for big animals with heavy bones. Someday I’ll take a white tail with mine but my various and sundry .44’s more than get the job done with aplomb; only one .44 mag round I’ve taken deer with (Hornady 240 JHP quartering towards me) wasn’t a complete pass through.

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quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:
Yes it makes sense in the same way 16" guns make sense on an Iowa class battleship. Most of the real work gets done by destroyers and cruisers, but there are those times...

Like when five asteroids are approaching the Earth in tight formation ...

Yes, more poser and versatility than a .44 Magnum, especially if you handload. I’ve got a Marlin Guide Gun and it’s a great truck gun or take out in the Alaska boonies gun. Lightweight, quick handling and packs a punch.

I kind of laugh now at the tactical lever gun craze, go bolting on a bunch of stuff to add weight and bulk to it. 16” barrel, maybe peep sights or a red dot, butt cuff for extra ammo if so inclined, a sling and you’re good to go.

I have little use for one but have entertained the idea of getting a Ruger No 1 or No 3 in a big boomer category like 45/70. I think it'd be fun to thump some close range deer with it. Hard to make yourself do that, though, when I kill plenty of with a 243 or all of the other deer rifles I have.

I do not hunt.
I do not shoot Cowboy Action anymore.

I recently bought a Henry X in 45-70.
I do have a small range on my place and I plink at steel and paper from time to time with various firearms that I have no practical use for otherwise.

45-70 absolutely makes sense in a lever gun from a mechanical standpoint. Does it make sense for you?
I dunno. Do you want one? That’s why I bought mine.

I handload so keep that in mind but I like the 45-70 as I can load it down to very soft loads, plinking loads, with very little recoil. I can also load it up for bear if I am going to be in bear country. At a certain point I run out of room in a 44 case far sooner than a 45-70 case so I like the versatility of the bigger cartridge.