.45-70 or .340 - Which one to buy?

[DarkFalz]

I already have my starting .243, the .30 R and the ten point crossbow and now I want a rifle for big game. But I can't decide between these two.

[magicISO Sweden]

i love using 45-70 great on follow up shots

[DanthemanBoone]

I have the 340 but hardly ever use it. I use the 45.70 lever action nearly all the time for big game. It does have some bullet drop at ranges over 150m but with the big scope it is easy to compensate for ranges out to 300m.. For close work or charging animals the open sights are the best on any rifle. Has a great mag capacity and a far faster rate of fire than the 340. The 45.70 also seems to have more knock down power than the 340. For me, The 340 really only comes into its own for long range big game hunting.

[CollinBeBallin]

45-70 is my go-to rifle for any big game, I don't have the .340 but I'd highly recommend the 45-70.

[Slowsilver]

I would take .340. Dropping power is so good. I don't think 45-70 is so good at longer distance either. When it comes to looks 45-70 takes the cake. I don't really usually need multiple shots anyway when it comes to big game. Usually it's just one animal but If you would use something like bear barrows that could be really useful tho. In the end it's more about personal taste. I don't really like or use any of these Winchester style rifles much but some people do like them. I used 45-70 but not after I got .340.

[DYEUZ]

.340 without any doubts./hesitations

[Hylie Pistof]

i have used the 340 for a long time, and its realy a great rifle. strong, reliable, precise... especialy if you take the longer shots like i do ;)

another reason is (at least at the beginning befor you have alot of gold XD) you can use the 2x-10x scope that you hopefully already have for the .243! would also have fitted the 300 what is imo the better choice then your .30 R ( IMO !! )
the 5.5x-22x eagle scope will fit both, but the 45-70 needs another low mag scope (3x-9x anschütz)

since i leveled out the 340 i use the 45-70 lever alot, and most encounters are less then 100-150m, what is a good distance for both. and even long range shots are ok once you get used to it.

i would prefer the 340 first, i like that magnum power, but they both do the job fine and the sound of the 45-70... well, XD nice ;)

its realy up to you and what you prefer.

btw:
i try to avoid follow up shots, usualy. thats why non of those arguments are relevant for me, more the opposite actualy.
since i have weapons that rebolt or lever fast, i get tempted to try and shoot a fleeing animal what is often a bad shot and a waste of ammo, because the first shot will bleed out most animals fast enough with those calibers.

[Pete Gaimari]

Originally posted by DarkFalz:

I already have my starting .243, the .30 R and the ten point crossbow and now I want a rifle for big game. But I can't decide between these two.

What do you hunt or plan to hunt that you call big game?

[DanthemanBoone]

There is another option that you may have overlooked, that is the 9.3 x 74 double barrel. Since you already have the 30R you will be familiar with it and no doubt like the way it performs. 9.3 is basically the same only bigger and with more pronounced bullet drop at range. The 9.3 has the same bullet drop as the 45.70 but its big advantage is that it is permitted for roe deer to water buffalo, and on many maps that means you will only need to carry one rifle. It will fit three scope options one low power and the 5.5 - 22 in two variations. It did appear to me that it was a little more wobbly than some other rifles at the lower skill levels but that will pass by about level 7.

[DarkFalz]

Originally posted by OldMtnMan:

What do you hunt or plan to hunt that you call big game?

All the biggest animals like water buffalo, bison, moose and bears.

Anyway I am leaning towards the .45-70 since I tend to take shots from around 150 meters or less so the bullet drop shouldn't be a very big problem. But I've still got to finish more missions before I have the money so I'm still open to changing my mind. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

[pinwolf]

Occasionally you stumble across a resting pig, bear or cow in the undergrowth.
With the .45-70 in hand, there's a better chance of saving the first aid kit.
But a .454 without a scope is even better suited for these kinds of incidents.

[krzychuzokecia]

Another vote for .340 - I bought it mostly because it allowed me to use same 2-10x scope I had on .243 (and that scope is fantastic IMO), but when I saw that I can drop moose on the spot from distance bigger than 200 meters, I was in awe.

Not that .45-70 is a bad choice, it's definitely on my "to buy" list. But I feel like it could use some more low-power sights, like 1.1-8x scope or Aimpoint H34L (which I use on Anschutz .308, and is really great for short ranges and fast moving targets).

[Hylie Pistof]

the 45-70 fits the 3x-9x anschütz, what has more possible weapons to mount then the 1.1x-8x, that only fits 2 rifles.

the 3-9 is a fine low mag and less is (TMO) useless, you can use a red dot or iron sights then.

i agree with your though, the power of the 340 over distance is a good reason for it, especialy as beginner, and the 2-10scope saves some coin ;)
although i dont agree to the *fast moving target* thing, i try to avoid that and wait for a good shot (well i try XD), that is often enought to drop any animal.