45/70 lever action with a Hornady Interlock for Cape Buffalo

[steve white]

I could approve the use of 45/70....as long as he puts me in his will, somewhere.

 

[dlmac]

350 gr Interlock ramped up to 1900 out of a 45-70 lever? Seems like a recipe for a problem for Cape buffalo. I can’t think of a worse bullet for the job. Interlock is nothing more than a Hornady marketing propaganda label, always has been. Sneeze and that bullet’s jacket will shuck its core.

Like the other guy said, better to use a Corelock or a Barnes original over the interlock. Accuracy is another issue with interlock bullets in my rifle.

 

[Odinsraven]

I was not saying that using a .45-70 on a buffalo is the same as using a .22 Hornet to hunt elk. It was not intended as a direct analogy. My point was that just because something has been, or can be, done does not make it the best option.

Exactly 22lr has taken elephant .....for example

 

[HankBuck]

Exactly 22lr has taken elephant .....for example

@Odinsraven - NOPE a .22LR has NEVER taken an Elephant….Nor has a BB Gun and Not a SlingShot…. Pull up and Post the verified article and include the photos, they should be found on Google with the Flying Saucer evidence and Big Foot pictures

 

[Boone66]

Hunters who can shoot vs Target shooters who go killing. The 223 for everything debate may be the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard propped up by target shooters.

The northern native tribes used to use them for everything, for two reasons, one more ammo could fit on the small plane, so more shots for the weight, they used ball ammo and used them to fur hunt as well as meat, seals, walrus etc and did head shots. For polar bear, they had dogs and treed them on the ground, then shot them from behind into the base of the skull. In the right and extreme circumstances, it will work, if your a very very patient hunter and at a decently close range. Most are not, and when the plains got bigger and supplies more available, they got bigger guns also. I personally think the 223 is ok, up to coyotes under 300yds, but for anything else, use a gun for the game you hunt. I think a lot of those guys that talk about using the 223, hunt small whitetails and treed black bears and haven't really done any hunting where things can eat you. Just my two cents

 

[Boone66]

Even that analogy has flaws. Why use a 375 HH when you could use a 458 Win or Lott, why use any of them when you can go bigger?

It should come down to the fact that if the cartridge is legal then it can be used. Most hunters who use marginal cartridges have the patience to wait for that perfect shot, and more than likely are capable of making that shot. It is no different that those who choose to use a pistol. Be it a 44 mag 10mm or a 375 JDS.

Wow, a 375jdj is in a different category, your mixing fruit with cordite

 

[Boone66]

I also don't really get his choice of Varget and magnum primers.

I use RL7, and have used X-Terminator and H322; most 45-70 guys I know use similar fast-burning powders

I have used varget with good results, not with magnum primers though. 3031, 4198 etc as well as R7 they all work well in my guns. But I don't own a marlin or a suppressor, I would think a faster powder would work better with a can.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Is it not better,he uses a marginal Caliber he shoots well. Rather than a well suited Caliber he shoots marginally?

As for the 223 debate.

You wouldn't believe the hundreds of thousands of deer/pigs/goats that caliber has taken in NZ.

* space reserved for someone inserting scenario of wounded game putting ph and staff at risk*

Is it not better,he uses a marginal Caliber he shoots well. Rather than a well suited Caliber he shoots marginally?

As for the 223 debate.

You wouldn't believe the hundreds of thousands of deer/pigs/goats that caliber has taken in NZ.

* space reserved for someone inserting scenario of wounded game putting ph and staff at risk*

Or he can learn to shoot a more suitable caliber well. It's easy to shoot a .22lr well, but it will.never be a buffalo rifle.

 

[HankBuck]

Or he can learn to shoot a more suitable caliber well. It's easy to shoot a .22lr well, but it will.never be a buffalo rifle.

@Doug Hamilton - some will Never be able to shoot a Magnum caliber accurately, can’t handle the recoil and flinch badly, affecting accuracy…though few will admit it and keep struggling with Magnums. I agree Bigger is Better but “only” when one can shoot it accurately - for many a Marginal caliber that is “accurately shot” is far better. You make a good point on the .22LR because if you can’t shoot that accurately then you have No business hunting Big Game.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

@Doug Hamilton - some will Never be able to shoot a Magnum caliber accurately, can’t handle the recoil and flinch badly, affecting accuracy…though few will admit it and keep struggling with Magnums. I agree Bigger is Better but “only” when one can shoot it accurately - for many a Marginal caliber that is “accurately shot” is far better. You make a good point on the .22LR because if you can’t shoot that accurately then you have No business hunting Big Game.

If you can't learn to shoot a cartridge that is appropriate to the game, you should find smaller animals to hunt or take up golf.

 

[meigsbucks]

The .45/70 wouldn’t be my choice for buffalo, but with proper bullets and proper placement could and has done the job.
I’ve used a Ruger #3 loaded with the 350gr Hornady RN @ 2165 fps on a few head of game, although none near the same category as a buffalo. The most impressive demonstration of it’s penetrating abilities was a number of years ago on a moderate size hog another hunter had wounded, hitting it in the leg. At about 60yds, the .45/70 hit the hog on the front edge of the left ham, penetrated the length of the hog, exiting just forward of the right shoulder, leaving about a quarter sized exit hole. The expanded bullet then went thru about a 2-3” diameter tree. The hog dropped to the shot and quivered for a couple of seconds. The insides were turned to mush.

 

[HankBuck]

If you can't learn to shoot a cartridge that is appropriate to the game, you should find smaller animals to hunt or take up golf.

@Doug Hamilton - are you also better at Golf?

 

[Flewis]

Chapstick claimed to have killed an elephant with a 22. There was one other who also said he did but I don’t recall his name.

 

[thriller]

Chapstick claimed to have killed an elephant with a 22. There was one other who also said he did but I don’t recall his name.

The legendary Chapstick

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Capstick was telling the story of another man doing it. If I recall he said the man tried to “sting” the elephant with it to turn him towards the others. The elephant then died in route.

 

[casey]

I use a 1895 ABL with 430grn, hard cast, WFLN, GC, bullets. They are cast, water quenched and tough. Loaded to 1978fps In my gun, I would not hesitate to shoot a buffalo. I would of course have back up but dont feel it would be needed. I've seen what this load will do on a 2000# injured and sick Angus. One shot to the brisket, bullet was recovered in the ham. Bull never took a step. I'm sure a lung shot on a Cape Buffaloe would be a complete pass through and I'm pretty sure this load will break bone if needed

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Capstick was telling the story of another man doing it. If I recall he said the man tried to “sting” the elephant with it to turn him towards the others. The elephant then died in route.

I thought we we're talking about Chapstick. Maybe use it to lubricate .22 bullets and improve penetration for elephant hunting?

 

[Doug Hamilton]

@Doug Hamilton - are you also better at Golf?

Never tried it, but if I did I'd like to think that I would use the appropriate club.

 

[HankBuck]

Chapstick claimed to have killed an elephant with a 22. There was one other who also said he did but I don’t recall his name.

@Flewis - there is NOTHING close to verifying an Elephant was ever killed with a .22LR——it has Never happened