Not that anyone will read this :)

Went to the range Sat. to sight in my Marlin1985GS .45-70 (got some Williams "fire sights" for it .... FP peep rear / fiber front bead). I was unable to get the rifle sighted in all the way (its 1.5" high @25yards) 'cause I ran out of ammo (only had 16 shells left .... I've got to load some more up). But I did have the chronograph out there with me and was able to chronograph my hand loads. This is out of an 18.5" barrel mind you (7lb gun) ... I shoot 300gr Remington bullets, the velocity was 2370 +/- 10FPS between the 16 shots..... I was impressed (and my shoulder is sore) ....... that's over 3700 ft/lbs of muzzle energy :)


Oh, I chronied my muzzle loader too (50 caliber 24"bbl 1-48" twist side lock cap) ... 385Gr lead (hollow base, hollow point) over 90gr of "clean bore" FFG ran about 1000fps give or take 100fps.

I didnt understand all the numbers you were throwing at me, mostly because I dont understand guns (what type are which, etc).

I've only fired off a small 22 rifle, I believe, and my aims pretty good! That was out huntin'. My boyfriend and I have been meaning to go to a firing range, cause I want to fire a hand gun, but I'm really worried of the kickback, plus I saw on tv where it can grab your skin?

Any pointers?

That's pretty good velocity for that rifle. You may not want to touch the sights until you have a chance for a 100 yard zero. An 18" barrel and a 300 grain bullet = serious bullet drop, especially after 100 yards.

A little history fact for you. The .45-70 is so named because it fired a .45 caliber bullet, and was loaded with 70 grains of powder. The reloading info was in the name to make it easier for the cowboys of the old days.

Originally posted by Lateralis
I didnt understand all the numbers you were throwing at me, mostly because I dont understand guns (what type are which, etc).

I've only fired off a small 22 rifle, I believe, and my aims pretty good! That was out huntin'. My boyfriend and I have been meaning to go to a firing range, cause I want to fire a hand gun, but I'm really worried of the kickback, plus I saw on tv where it can grab your skin?

Any pointers?

I mostly shoot rifles. Put allot of time in shooting the small rifles first ... you do not want to developed a filch (a flinch is the anticipation of the recoil and it will cause you to jerk the rifle just before firing and it will have an adverse effect on your accuracy). When practicing, shoot form a rest (sandbags on a shooting table … etc), Aim at the target, take a deep breath, let it out, holding steady on the target … slowly squeeze the trigger (do not jerk it). If the rifle you are shooting starts to hurt when fired and you think you are moving just before the shot (flinching) … put the gun down …. Shoot something with less recoil or get a better recoil pad …. Do not let yourself develop a flinch, after time (and a lot of shooting) you will get to the point where you can shoot whatever you want and not flinch. The rifle I was shooting over the weekend (my .45-70) I shoot with a PAST recoil pad (one I wear on my shoulder) and a towel folded up between me and the gun, and I wear a glove (the leave comes back and hits my figures) … I look like a dumbass shooting, but I shoot good. (I do not have to do anything like that with the other rifles …. I use to have to wear extra padding when I first started shooting my .30-06, but I’m use to it now).

It’s been a while since I shot handguns (I have a few, but I prefer to shoot rifles for fun). I’ve never had my hand pinched by the action (but then again I usually shoot revolvers). I believe the proper stance for shooting a handgun is to hold the gun w/ your right hand, then grasp the gun with your left … but your left thumb stays on the left side of the gun (your left thumb should point towards the target). If standing to shoot (most of the time that’s how I shot the handguns) you’ll want to have both your feet facing the target w/ your right foot placed slightly farther back than your left (your body … chest should be facing the target) …this will help “absorb” the recoil …. Oh, and try to keep your arms straight and lean into it a bit (this will keep the gun from hitting you …. It’ll push you back a little). Start shooting 22’s and work up to the bigger stuff ….. W/ the bigger stuff, the lighter the gun the more it’s going to jump around when fired. And if you start to be intimidated by the gun (starting to develop a flinch) …. Put the gun down and shoot something w/ less recoil.


There are many many types of guns …. Chambered for many different cartridges. The 1985 I speak of is a leaver action gun chambered for the .45-70 cartridge …. It is a very respected gun (hard hitting on both sides). Popular types of Rifles actions are “Bolt Action”, “Leaver Action”, “auto loading” (semi-automatic), “pump action”, “break action” (single shot). There are countless cartridges available in each type of actions (You’ll have to pay for a custom job if you want something crazy …. Like a semi-auto .45-70 or some thing else as crazy).

Handguns come in several different kinds; the most popular are revolvers and semi-autos. The revolvers have the cylindrical magazine and the semi-autos are generally clip fed. There are hammerless and regular guns (the hammer is the part that you cock back and when you pull the trigger it will hit the firing pin). The hammer guns can come in “single action” or double action” … you do not have to cock the double action guns (but it’s better to because the trigger pull is longer if you do not) due to the fact the when you pull the trigger it will bring the hammer back and then it will fire it in one pull. The single action guns you have to cock it back first (the single/double action is mostly directed to the revolvers).


Sorry the post is so long … I like talking about guns. :)

Originally posted by Ponycar_302
That's pretty good velocity for that rifle. You may not want to touch the sights until you have a chance for a 100 yard zero. An 18" barrel and a 300 grain bullet = serious bullet drop, especially after 100 yards.

A little history fact for you. The .45-70 is so named because it fired a .45 caliber bullet, and was loaded with 70 grains of powder. The reloading info was in the name to make it easier for the cowboys of the old days.

I was thinking the same thing.... bullet drop will be an issue with this thing. :)

Right you are about the 45 cal / 70gr (of black powder) The .45-70 was adopted in 1873 by the US government for use in military rifles ... then the .30-40 krag replaced it.... then the .30-06 replaced it (in 1906 of course). I'm glad Marlin started chambering allot of rifles in the .45-70 (their 1895 models).... they helped save it from extinction, and when using hand load it is a very potent cartridge.

as a shooter.... of ALL weapons, I'll throw a little free advice your way.... invest in a laser sight/zeroing system. It'll save you a ton of ammo when learning a new weapon/adjusting sights and scopes. Step two.... fire in the natural pause in your breathing on the out breath cycle. Step three.... using the very tip of your finger (most people use the first knuckle) SQUEEEEEEEEZE, don't pull. Personally, I like the .308, or the .30-06 for most shooting/hunting/target practice for rifles.... but if you should get the chance to fire a Barrett .50.... you'll LOOOOOVE it...LOL.

For pistols, I prefer the wheel guns to auots except for my Desrt Eagle in .50. Most of my pistols are .41 and .44, with one .357, and one 9 mm.

If you want to learn combat shooting, drop me a PM, and I'll be glad to give you some tips.

I hear you on the laser bore sighting thingy.... I'll try to talk my dad into getting one; since my Mom just bought him a new rifle.... then I'll use his :)

We are along the same lines on the shooting preferences :) ... my absolute favorite rifle is my old, ugly, Remington Sportsman 78 .30-06 (it's in great condition ... it's just a low end model, but it's a tack driver). I like the wheel guns too for the most part. But, I'll probably pick up a Colt 1911 .45 and start practicing w/ handguns again (always wanted a 1911).... then maybe some combat/competition shooting.