Favorite 45-70 Loads
Desert Dog:
Yep. Those Garretts are devistating and kill at both ends.
Last year I packed a Marlin 1895 Limited III (18.5 octagon bbl) 45-70 in AZ during an elk hunt. The day before opening, we decided to check the zero on our traditional elk rifles. I had never shot the Marlin to that point. I had mounted a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8 on it with Cabela's version of the Warne quick release mounts. For the initial sight-in, I used some standard pressure PMC factory loads. The recoil was mild. After I got things adjusted and grouping well with the PMC loads, I loaded up with the Garrett 420 gr. +P Hammerheads. Holy Moly! Even with the lace-on leather recoil pad and a PAST shoulder pad, it felt like I'd been kicked by BOTH hooves of a mule. I shot it a total of eight times, before me and my shoulder were satisfied. I've shot some big stuff in my days, but nothing in my experiences is as refreshing as that light, little Limited III with the Hammerheads.
Upon inspection of the target, we noticed the Hammerheads had nearly shot down the old dead pine tree it was attached to. The bullets had passed clean through and ripped out some big chunks of wood. None of our .270, 30-06 or .338 Win. rounds had penetrated through.
I carried that gun for the first two days of the hunt but switched over to my Model 70 on the third day (for longer range). The morning of the fourth day I finally came across a shooter elk and put it down with one shot from the .270.
In November I again carried that gun during Missouri's firearm deer season. I had one goofy little buck come by me three times one morning and held on him for quite a while as he was studying me hard at about 30 yards. All the while I thought about how quickly he'd hit the ground if I touched the trigger. But I let him go to grow up (and wise up) a little.
I am really wanting to see the results of the Hammerhead on deer or elk this season. After the results on the pine tree, I believe their 'lengthwise through a cape buffalo' statements.