405 Winchester & 45-70

[SJPrice]

I shoot the 45-70 quite a bit with loads from light weight to heavy weight projectiles and a wide range of velocity. I have no experience with the 405 Winchester, but was curious so I have been checking load data for it. How do the 2 rounds compare from those who have experience with both

[shawn_c992001]

The 45-70 can handle alot of bullet weights as you pointed out and can be easily loaded hotter for the 95 and Ruger, the .405 is pretty much relegated to 300gr bullets unless you lengthen the chamber to handle 400gr bullets, and it's a little harder to load hotter.

[Don McDowell]

The 45-70 is better at hurling heavy bullets. The 405 has shoots flatter and has better retained velocity down range.
Components and ammo availability for the 45-70 is way above the 405.
They boths serve a purpose.

[Old Time Hunter]

In pure factory loadings the 405 is much more powerful than any .45-70, it is also much more unique. That being said, if you throw out the original parameters of the .45-70 and hot rod them for which they never were intended, then the .45-70 could definitely be made as if not more powerful. But, anybody can have a .45-70.

[Pathfinder09]

I hunt, and relaod for both calibers. The .45-70 has more load options and well a bullet type and weight options. I have Reciever sights on all my lever guns, so the max range I will shoot with my .45-70 is 200 yds max.

The .405 winchester can be had with spitzer type bullets with flatter shooting and longer range. For hunting elk I use Barnes 300gr, TXS bullets. I will take a shot at 300 yds with no problem. I personally think the .405 is the more powerful round. Goes out at about 2200 fps.

Both have their place on the field and in my heart. Two great rounds.

.45-70's:



My 1995 Moroku Winchester 1895: