.45-70 Gov vs .340 Weatherby vs 9.3x74R O/U

[Kak2R🍸🧀]

Could one of you veterans school me on the pros and cons of each? I've read the wiki for all. I've narrowed down my rifle choices to these because

- water buffalo is permitted
- the 5.5-22x56mm scope fits

What I want is a rifle that can either
- one shot all its permitted species very well
OR
- be fast enough at consecutive shots or reloads so that I can 2 shot my prey easily if 1 shot isn't enough

Been using a parker python against buffalo, getting a bit tired of shooting and tracking it multiple times until death lol.

Thanks

[Nicpus]

The 9.3x74R O/U is really nice for 2 shot kills. It also dont have that much of an issue bringing down its prey.
45-70 gov is also pretty nice. Although personaly i prefer the 9.3

[Janilski]

.45-70 is good overall, the classic version of it can be used for long range shots while the lever action one can pump out at least 3 bullets in a very short amount of time.


.340 is a big game rifle I don't use much but I can say that the performance is nearly the same with .45-70. Also long range shots are easy if you calculate the ballistics right.

Originally posted by Nicpus⚔:

The 9.3x74R O/U is really nice for 2 shot kills. It also dont have that much of an issue bringing down its prey.

Nicpus said it all, the rifle returns exactly where you shot giving you better chance on landing another shot if you missed or messed up the first due to the massive bullet drop or bad shot placement. Also lots of permitted species.


Personally I prefer 9.3 for Piccabeen Bay because of the double shot feature, and the .45-70 (any version) for Whiterime Ridge since moose and bison don't stand a chance.

Either the 5th or 6th mission for the water buffalo requires .340, so I'd recommend if you are willing to farm them go on and buy it.

[pinwolf]

For long range shooting with 5.5-22x56mm scope Weatherby is best of the three.
But Piccabeen Bay is mostly close range jungle/swamp, so .45-70 lever action is more useful for Water Buffalo and Banteng.

Weatherby is better for stuff like hunting polar bears out on the shelfs or making longe range records on brown bear and red deer on Val de Bois.

9.3x74R O/U has large species list, but suboptimal optics list.
(The 1.1-8x30 Rifle Scope can only used with the 7x64mm Bolt Action too.)
Kind of 'the jack of all trades master of none' of the large game rifles.

Classic .45-70 Buffalo Rifle is not really good for long range shoots (200m+), because of the scope. But it has incredible penetration. I like to hunt pigs on Rougarou Bayou with it.

Also, for all question about weapons/equipment, this is the best place to find evaluations:
-> https://forum.thehunter.com/viewforum.php?f=213

[DanthemanBoone]

I have all three rifles but prefer to use the 45.70 lever action . Its good to 300m with the 5.5 - 22 scope once you become familiar with the trajectory drop. It has the best open sights for close shooting charging animals. Anything inside the ring at less than 25m is history.

[AbSlayer]

I am still a fan of lever action 30.06 a very fast shooter
Can put 3 shoots in a animal before it can get away , or shoot three of a group before they get out of range

[pinwolf]

I also have all weapons, scopes, equipment + camo clothing etc.
From the rifles I mainly use .300, .45-70 lever, .30-06 lever, 7mm (both versions), .243,
and .22 Plinkington.

[Kak2R🍸🧀]

Thanks guys. At roughly what distances does bullet drop become noticeable/need to be considered for the 3 rifles being compared? I've still never had to deal with it! And which have the least/most bullet drop?

pinwolf, when you say Weatherby is best for long range, is that 'best' because there is the least bullet drop or most power or?

[pinwolf]

Originally posted by KingGhidorah:

At roughly what distances does bullet drop become noticeable/need to be considered for the 3 rifles being compared?

roughly...
Weatherby: ~ 200m
.45-70: ~ 150m
9.3x74R ~ 125m

Originally posted by KingGhidorah:

...And which have the least/most bullet drop?

at 250m+
least: Weatherby
most: 9.3x74R

Edit: made some pics...
-> https://i.ibb.co/y5LjLJK/20200809150217-1.jpg (pic of shooting range)
-> https://i.ibb.co/pwVSKTL/20200809145825-2.jpg (hits at 250m target)
At the bottom left in the second pic you can also see tiny/zero drop amount of Weatherby around 200m with similar aimpoint as I used in the target around 250m.
At 300m Weatherby would hit the bullseye. .45-70 and 9.3x74R will drop below target.

Originally posted by KingGhidorah:

...when you say Weatherby is best for long range, is that 'best' because there is the least bullet drop or most power or?

At far out distance it has least bullet drop and I think best penetration.

[pinwolf]

Made some more tests.
This time at the 330m target (the most distance I get with my shooting range)

Weatherby vs 7mm-08 Scout vs .300

And the winner is:.... Weatherby with least bullet drop.
7mm-08 Scout is roughly the same as the .300 ... but only with HV ammo (!).
With HP ammo ... no chance.

[Kak2R🍸🧀]

pinwolf that is awesome, thank you! Think I'm leaning towards the .45-70. Will see how I feel when I've got enough gm$

[DanthemanBoone]

A helpful discussion here on bullet drops on several guns with scope diagrams.

https://forum.thehunter.com/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=91737&hilit=Bullet+drop

[pinwolf]

Originally posted by KingGhidorah:

...I'm leaning towards the .45-70.

That's the best choice, I would say.
Standard 'Laminated Wood' version looks actually better in the hands than the engraved version, IMO.

I would prefer the 2-6x26mm Rifle Scope for the .45-70.
It has the better 'view' for the ranges where the .45-70. shines, especially for a lever action.
Also the illuminated reticle is very nice for fast aiming and very useful in the early and late hours, when it rains, dark woods, dazzling snow etc.

5.5-22x56mm scope would just seduce you to shoot from a too far a distance, where you have to search than for the animal cadaver more often than it should be.
Also, when the cow that lurks in the bush next to you comes out, you will always have forgotten to zoom back your scope, of course.
So, cow will probable win.

-> https://i.ibb.co/Lx3yKqd/45-70.jpg

[Kak2R🍸🧀]

Damnit, I was only going to buy the standard version but in that pic you showed me the engraved version looks real sexy. Why you do this?! Neither of those scopes look very good on the gun though imo. Wondering if the silver 3-9 Anschutz scope would look better on both. How's the Anschutz scope in your opinion?

Originally just wanted the eagle scope so I have the option of crazy long range.

Also thanks Dantheman for the link.

[pinwolf]

Originally posted by KingGhidorah:

...How's the Anschutz scope in your opinion?

Solid scope. Nothing wrong about it.

-> https://i.ibb.co/sRfSmZj/45-70-with-ansch-tz.jpg

I think the engraved .45-70 looks a little bit 'kitschy'. Something to hang on the wall in the lodge, not something you take out with you in desert, wood, swamp and ice...
But tastes are different of course.

[pinwolf]

Ok.
To go the full round here are the .45-70 Government Lever Action Rifles with 12x50mm Rifle Scope:
-> https://i.ibb.co/WWsczdr/45-70-with-12x50.jpg