45-70 vs 35 Whelen

[BDS05]

The old man is about to retire. It's my task to select a gift. He has mentioned a lever rifle but is open to options.
No reloads and prefers a lever are about the only stipulations.. a "wide screen" scope is what would truly tickle his fancy here but not limited to.
Truth is, he generally hunts a field with 300 yards but is the kind that enjoys a "thump" on the receiving end and enjoys the nostalgic.
I was originally thinking 4570 Henry Case Hardened but am now questioning the 35Rem.
What says TnDeer?

 

[EastTNHunter]

The 35 Whelen has a flatter trajectory, but factory ammo is almost nonexistent. 45/70 is cool, but requires hand loading to get the most out of it.

I feel like both of them need to be reloaded for to enjoy, but I may be too narrow minded

 

[Dennis]

My suggestion would be a Browning BLR in .308

 

[Hduke86]

I personally love the 35rem over the 35 whelen . I like shooting 200gr on the 35rem and recoil is hardly anything. Now I don't think I'd give a poke at 300 without a good bit of practice with the 35rem but the 35 whelen will do that with no problem. Either one delivers that "thump" you mentioned. The 45-70 is a good gun but more recoil than I want in a lever action.

 

[BDS05]

My suggestion would be a Browning BLR in .308

She's a beaut especially in his/our beloved 06 but he has specifically mentioned a Henry in 3030-4570.
I may just throw the BLR into consideration..
Thank you.

 

[Remi]

I own and shoot all three. If I'm shooting 300yds I hope I don't have one of those three in my hands. The Whelen is easier to hit with at 300 the the 35 Rem and the 45/70 but still not a top choice for me mainly because of velocity loss which could lead to poor expansion.

I've killed deer with the 35 Rem and 45/70 and if there is any difference in killing ability I can't see it so I'd get whichever blows your skirt up.

 

[BDS05]

The 35 Whelen has a flatter trajectory, but factory ammo is almost nonexistent. 45/70 is cool, but requires hand loading to get the most out of it.

I feel like both of them need to be reloaded for to enjoy, but I may be too narrow minded

Trajectory is minute on this selection as he was originally looking for another 3030. He won't be pinging steel at 400.
I've seen everything from 250-450 gr for the 4570.
Care to elaborate on getting everything from it? He won't be attempting to shoot dimes…

 

[BDS05]

I own and shoot all three. If I'm shooting 300yds I hope I don't have one of those three in my hands. The Whelen is easier to hit with at 300 the the 35 Rem and the 45/70 but still not a top choice for me mainly because of velocity loss which could lead to poor expansion.

I've killed deer with the 35 Rem and 45/70 and if there is any difference in killing ability I can't see it so I'd get whichever blows your skirt up.

I should have clarified in the original post. He has no intentions for this rifle to ping at 300. If you're maxing at 125 yards, which are you choosing?

 

[Remi]

If he has a 30-30 he's not going to see much difference with the 35 Rem. At least with a 45/70 it feels like you're loading a cigar into the chamber. Lol

For factory loads

Federal blue box 300's use the 300gr Speer Unicore, excellent bullet.

Remington makes 405's that are now going around 1600fps which is slightly above trapdoor pressures.

Ive read good things about the 325 Hornady loads. A few guys around here speak highly of them also.


You can get Buffalo bore and a few others that max out the 45/70 but it gets real unfun real fast.

I load 300's at 2000fps, 350's at 1920fps and 405's at 1600fps. I've ran them hotter but it's pointless.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Trajectory is minute on this selection as he was originally looking for another 3030. He won't be pinging steel at 400.
I've seen everything from 250-450 gr for the 4570.
Care to elaborate on getting everything from it? He won't be attempting to shoot dimes…

Sure. I thought that you were wanting a 300yd gun. The 45/70 factory loads are pretty anemic, as they are designed to use in older actions. You can push the 45/70 harder in bolt actions and lever actions than trapdoors. That is the only reason that the 450 marlin was created was to load the 45/70 to its full potential in a lever gun.

 

[Plateau Hunter]

I would recommend the case hardened Henry in 45-70…especially if that's sort of what he wants…beautiful, capable lever action…

 

[Antler Daddy]

Browning BLR is a fine firearm.

 

[Remi]

Not a fan of the long action BLR rifles the short actions are excellent

.358 win in the classifieds

.35 cal - check
lever gun - check
awesome - check

For Sale - Browning blr 358 winchester

Has a nikon buckmasters 3-9×40 in see through rings. I bought this one new and think I might still have the box. Its been shot very little. I will thrown in a couple of boxes of ammo to get you started $1000.00

www.tndeer.com

 

[CHRIS WILSON]

I should have clarified in the original post. He has no intentions for this rifle to ping at 300. If you're maxing at 125 yards, which are you choosing?

If given the choice between a 35 Rem and a 45-70....the 45-70. If for no other reason than ammo availability.

 

[DaveTN]

The older he gets the less he will like that "thump". I'd stick with the King of the Lever calibers; the 30-30. Some of the others are too hard and expensive to get. But if he isn't going to shoot it much, and just hunts with it; that may not matter. Paying $3 a round or more may be okay.

 

[TN Larry]

Henry makes a Long Ranger lever action with a magazine chambered in 308 and 6.5 creed. Just another option to consider if wanting a flatter trajectory, less recoil, but with a lever action Henry.

 

[tnanh]

I was at Sportsmans Warehouse in Southaven Ms. Saturday and 35 Whelen was 88.00 a box. Kind of expensive and the was the cheaper box.

 

[Cannonball1]

Henry does the wildlife series in several different firearms including the 45-70 and 30-30. They use a nicer grade of walnut on these than the normal rifles and both sides are engraved with gold inlays. I already have a Henry 45-70 All Weather but wouldn't mind having one of the wildlife series rifles below. Just something different to consider for him. He would definitely be carrying one of the nicest lever action rifles in the woods.

 

[BDS05]

Thanks folks. He spotted a Henry case hardened 4570 online.
I couldn't order it fast enough for him.

 

[Remi]

Thanks folks. He spotted a Henry case hardened 4570 online.
I couldn't order it fast enough for him.

45/70 ammo

36 rounds of Hornady leverevolution monoflex 250gr $75 shipped 60 rounds of federal premium hammer down 300 grain. $125 shipped Most forms of payment accepted. Ships anywhere that it’s legal. First unconditional I’ll take it followed by a pm trumps all else.

www.24hourcampfire.com