long range shooting with a Henry 45-70

[JEBar]

saying right up front, I'm not a fan of Hornady 45-70 Government 325 gr FTX LEVERevolution ammo, I have to admit being impressed by its performance in this video --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIbRROyIiNs .... after watching it I'm going to have to rethink my belief that our Henry 45-70 should be limited to 100 yard +/- use .... the fellow in this video was using stock buckhorn sights at 250 and 300 yards .... color me impressed ....

[1911ly]

I am a big fan of the 45-70 Leverevolution ammo. it;s the primary ammo I shoot out of my Henry. Mine is the first version. I can regularly shoot 1 1/2 to 2 inch groups and 100 yards with my XS rear sight and a Merit aperture from a bench rest. I haven't had the chance to shoot it out farther yet. He is shooting the brass version with the brass butt plate! That thing has to be kicking his ass! I am sore after 20-30 rounds with a good recoil pad. He is one tough guy!

[BigAl52]

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50 yards off the bags with a 350gr Hornady. Iron sights from my CCH 45-70. Would I try lever evolution? Sure, but with a load like this at least for me I dont know if I could do any better. I also wouldnt hesitate to shoot at longer than 100 yards. This isnt to say I would go for a ridculiously long shot but I would be confident to 150 at least. Al

[1911ly]

That's some damned nice shooting! Sadly I did not get the 45-70 out this year or last year (health issues). I doubt I will get it to the range yet this year. I am eager to try some 200yard shots. Good lord willing and the creek don't rise I will give it a go next year. I am going to try several different projectiles/loads/powders. I haven't shot hand loads with mine yet. Hand loads really dialed my Bigboy 44mag in. I love working up hand loads.

[Henry88]

That's some damned nice shooting!

X2 for iron sights @ 50 yds, can't get much better...........

[JCN]

Without firing up the video, what type of target was the guy hitting at 250 yards? Man sized steel target?

[Hitman]

I think it was a 12 inch gong.

[RanchRoper]

Nice shooting.

[steelersfan97]

That guy is a glutton for shoulder punishment.

[Hitman]

I have a brass 45-70 and it will beat you to death shooting from a bench.

[JEBar]

I have a brass 45-70 and it will beat you to death shooting from a bench.

the lack of a recoil pad on the Brass model was my prime motivator for going with color case hardened

[steelersfan97]

Why does shooting from the bench make such a difference? I have never shot like that.

Also, I notice that the accuracy of the rifle didn't appear to change all that much as the barrel warmed up.

[Sir Henry]

That was a good video.

[Henry88]

Why does shooting from the bench make such a difference?

I would guess it's because the angle of the gun is slightly different, placing most of the force a little higher on your shoulder, where you don't have as much padding (in the form of fat and muscle).

[1911ly]

Why does shooting from the bench make such a difference? I have never shot like that.

Also, I notice that the accuracy of the rifle didn't appear to change all that much as the barrel warmed up.

Accuracy is all about steadiness. 1 inch at 100 yards becomes 2 at 200 3 inch at 300 and so forth. Now remember you are shooting at, we will say a 6 inch circle. When factor in bullet drop and wind drift the rifle really needs to he held steady and you need to know how to compensate for all that. I have to shoot from a bag or bag/Bipod and sometimes a bag/mono pod setup.

At 100 yards you have about one inch leeway either way to hit the same 6 inch target at 300 yards! And when you are sitting behind the gun you have a few thousands of and inch movement at the end of the barrel to hit that 300 yard 6 inch target. And that 6 inch target, when looking at an open sight front blade looks less then the width of the front blade. Now you have to find the center of that little dot. He just shot flat out amazingly well. I can respect that! I doubt I could shoot any where near as well with open sights. For sure not with Buckhorns. Maybe on a really really good day with a peep if I got really really lucky.

On a good day I can shoot a 2-3 inch group at 100 yards with my 45-70. I would feel really pleased if I could have tinged that thing just once at 300! To me, lever guns are all about open sights. It forces me to improved my aim and steadiness. And I carry that experience over to my scoped guns. I doubt I will ever scope my levers. Don't get me wrong, I am not against scoping one. I just enjoy the struggle/challenge of the open sights. Peep sights Rock!!!!!

[JEBar]

Accuracy is all about steadiness.

To me, lever guns are all about open sights. It forces me to improved my aim and steadiness. And I carry that experience over to my scoped guns. I doubt I will ever scope my levers. Don't get me wrong, I am not against scoping one. I just enjoy the struggle/challenge of the open sights. Peep sights Rock!!!!!

bingo on Accuracy being all about steadiness .... a few decades back, for ranges out to 100 or so yards, I preferred open sights and I still enjoy it .... that said, 70 years, cataract and other surgery on both eyes, and trifocals have moved me to using a scope on most everything I shoot ....

[Sir Henry]

Holding a rifle steady is important but to me timing is more critical. No one can hold a rifle perfectly steady as even your heartbeat will change the aim an inch at 50 yards. It is more important to send the bullet downrange when its on target than to hold the rifle perfectly still.

[BigAl52]

The CCH 45-70 is a joy to shoot for me. That recoil pad makes it really nice. I as well watched several you tube videos of guys shooting the brass 45-70 and I didnt think I wanted to be hurting quite that bad. Im glad they came out with the CCH series and I hope when they come out with the 38-55 next year and it as well will be offered in CCH. Al

[MountainRifle]

The concern I have with the LeverEvolution 325 grain 45-70 is the cautions the Hornady manual gives about reloading - specifically the need to trim the case short due to the longer ogive. After reading the cautions I went ahead and reloaded standard 405 grain Oregon Trail LaserCast with excellent accuracy results on paper.

As to the concern that the load will beat you to death from the bench, I've found a Caldwell Lead Sled works very well at dialing in accuracy - regardless of the load and caliber - without beating ones shoulder to black and blue. It turns an otherwise miserable experience into pure joy and comfort. Christmas is coming, and a Lead Sled is in your future.

[North Country Gal]

BigAl, that is some fine shooting. Impressed.