TESTING:
Buffalo Bore's .45-70 Magnum Levergun Ammo

by Jim Taylor

When Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore called and asked if I wanted to test some of his new levergun ammo I of course jumped at the chance.  What was I going to say?  It isn't everyday that a person gets to shoot all the ammunition they want from manufacturers and developers.  Sure!!   Send it on down.  Then, while waiting for it to arrive I went scurrying around trying to find something to shoot it in.  Fortunately my good friend Mike Harmon had a brand-new Marlin Guide Gun.  It had not even been fired yet.   What an opportunity - break in a new gun and test out some new ammo. 

Buffalo Bore's ".45-70 Magnum Levergun" ammunition is loaded - like all their ammo - with Large, Dangerous Game in mind.  This is serious stuff.  It is not intended as plinking or target ammo, though it will perform that duty should you desire it to. The main purpose behind it is to provide owners of big-bore rifles with some loads that develop real power.  With 3 different bullet types and weights the shooter has a good choice.  Buffalo Bore loads a 350 gr. Jacketed-Flat-Nose bullet to 2100 fps;  a 400 gr. Jacketed-Flat-Nose bullet to 1800 fps;  and a 420 gr. LBT LFN cast lead bullet to 2000 fps.   These are heavy loads and are not intended for every .45-70 on the market.   The label on the cartridge box lid carries the warning that these are to be fired ONLY in Browning Model 1885 & 1886;   Marlin Model 1895 manufactured since 1972; Ruger Models #1 and #3;  new production Winchester Model 1886;  and Shiloh Sharps rifles. Use in firearms other than these could result in a wrecked gun and/or shooter.

I fired these loads through a PACT Model 1 chronograph so see how close Buffalo Bore's advertised velocities came to what I would get out of the short-barreled Marlin.  I am pleased to report that they all were within the range of allowable variation - close enough so as to be called "right on"!  Out of the short Marlin the 420 gr. lead bullet averaged within 10 fps of advertised velocity.  The 400 gr. jacketed was 27 fps faster, and the 350 gr. jacketed load was 26 fps under.  Those small variations are found within the normal range of many loads.  It seems that if Buffalo Bore says their loads do XXXXX fps you can pretty well count that they do.

I also shot targets with them at 50 yards.  My old eyes are not what they used to be, and the sights sure are close together on the little Marlin.  Yet I was tickled with the results obtained.   The worst group of the day was under 1 1/2" at 50 yards.  Now if you hung a scope on the little rascal and shot from sandbags I am sure you could cut the group size by a lot.  I just fired these leaning over the hood of my 4WD, resting on a piece of rolled-up carpet.  (In my circle this is called a "Taffin-Kelly Machine Rest")  One thing I will say.  Even though it is ported, the Marlin Guide Gun will pound you, especially if you are leaning over the hood of a truck.  With these loads you do get a lot a recoil generated and they definitely are more comfortable to fire while standing up on your hind legs.

Like I said at the beginning, these are serious loads.  They would be more comfortable in a heavier rifle - unless something large and hairy with big teeth and claws was bearing down on you.  Then I doubt you would feel the recoil at all.  Packed in really nice - sturdy plastic ammo boxes, these speak quality.  The headstamp is a nice touch = "LEVERGUN .45-70 MAG". 

In the table below compare the power level to some of the other cartridges on the market.  These loads put the old war-horse into a new category formerly achieved only by handloaders.

LATE ADDITION - John Taffin accepts responsibility for his part:

"Jim, anyone that says it is fun to shoot these big bore Buffalo Bore loads
obviously hasn't shot them. Its my fault too. Tim used my Marlin to come up
with these loads. They will be great for hunting. Should increase one-shot kill
averages. No one will want to shoot it again! They certainly will be comforting
to have if what is out in front of us is big mean and nasty."

To Visit Buffalo Bore's webpage Click HERE