45-70

The other thing, sorry to bother everybody, is whether or not to even bring the 45-70. Its a hog gun [BIG hogs] in Georgia. Is the 45-70 an available ammo in RSA/Namibia and is it an applicable round for game or should I just leave it home. Ammo is the Hornady 325g FTX [2100fps at 50meters]. She's a pretty girl and Id hate to leave her, but if its not even legal, then obviously.....

I'm not speaking from experience here, but the 45-70 should be legal and effective on non-dangerous game, and possibly even thin-skinned dangerous game. I recently read of someone using one to great effect on a leopard in a hound hunt in Zimbabwe. I believe it's legal in some countries for thick-skinned dangerous game, because I've seen ads and photos of people killing buffalo with 45-70s. What's the gun?

I can't comment on availability, legality shouldn't be a problem shy of Elephant or Buffalo, and it will be effective on a lot of the game you'll see. If it's the rifle you use well, then it seems like a good choice.

Got it today. What a pretty girl! Sights are a mess...., but you cant hope for everyting... Gonna have the smith put on good express sights and Im gonna put on a good reflex sight. Im telling you guys, though, its a pretty girl. If you're not buying this cause it don't cost 10k, then your missing the boat. Im gonna order the 93 tomorrow. Workmanship, fit and finish are fine. Very well put together. NOT the Russian Remington thing

There are some answers to your questions, but I'd like one answered for me! What make is the 45-70 and is it a double rifle?

The fact is the 45-70 cartridge is not legal strictly speaking. Though it is OK on the diameter department the cartridge simply doesn't develope enough muzzle energy to qualify for things like Cape Buffalo, or larger dangerous game. I would be reluctant to use it on African lion as well, and that only leaves Leopard of the big five. That is not to say you wouldn't be allowed to use the rifle on those animals simply because most game scouts are not well up on ballistics, and look only at the bullet size. The one who needs to know is you, because if something happens, and someone in the safari party is hurt, or killed by a wounded member of the big five, and the real athorities find you were useing an illegal caliber, and can find nothing else to blame, you, and your rifle are the most likely suspects!

The big hole in the muzzle doesn't necessarily make a rifle a "STOPPER", and though I love the old 45-70, and own, and have owned several rifles so chambered. I wouldn't take on a Cape Buffalo, under all conditions, with nothing but a 45-70, especially with a 325 Gr FTX. The lightest bullet I'd use would be a 480 gr Woodliegh soft, and solid, and loaded up to the hot Ruger No1 loads.

As far as the plains game in Africa the old Indian killer will show it's muscle! If I were going to Africa and wanted to blood the rifle there, then I would take it, and do just that. If there will be any of the big five involved on the menu, then I would take another rifle as well for that, minimum 375 H&H with 300 gr bullets both soft and solids !

I know the 45-70 looks like a big bore cartridge to folks that have never been exposed to real big bores, but frankly it just isn't that lethal, on anything tougher than say a good broadside shot on moose, and a 30-06 is more than enough for that. The rule is basically just under 5000 pound feet of ME to be legal.

GARRETT Cartridges makes 45.70 Sledge Hammer cartridges that people have used in africa for ALL dangerous game if your Sabatti will shoot them and the regulation makes it feasible they also have a solid

still wondering what the make of the rifle is.