For Fans of the song, I am surprised at the amount of people who think "Big Iron" would have been a 45 Single Action Army. The Arizona Rangers were active around 1860 to 1861, and then again later in the 1880s for a short period, then for about 8 years right after the turn of the Century. That means that the "Big Iron" would most likely have come from the earlier period, and would either have been a Colt Walker or more likely a Colt's Dragoon. The Walker was the biggest, but the Dragoon was still massive compared to the small frame 1851 navy and pocket revolvers then also available. This is noteworthy, as all of these revolvers had iron cylinders and frames.(most likely the steel used had very little carbon in it so it would be considered iron) It was not until the 1860 Army came along with its new "Silver Spring Steel" that a .44 caliber revolver could be had in a Navy sized package. It was also the start of the civil war, and the only southern force to be able to acquire them before the war's end was the Texas Rangers, who had remained neutral as a law enforcement body instead of joining the war like the Arizona Rangers did. Answer, Colt's Dragoon is the most likely candidate for the Big Iron name.
They were talking about the 5.56 and the AK round when they mentioned Small Arms ..not the 400 grain lead pill at 1250 fps which just keeps on going like an express train
I have in my basement a 5 gal bucket of - dry - sand that I can shoot into to test some aspects of handloads before going to the range. I have fired 22 Hornet, 38, 357 and 45LC into that sand (distance approx 2 feet). Never found any slug more than 7" down. As someone else pointed out 45-70 is not a "small arms" round. It is a hefty rifle round. In the late 1800s it brought down 3/4 ton Buffalo at ranges up to 100yds. And that was black powder. Modern smokeless loads are even more potent!
+Frederick Wise You have no idea what "small arms" means. A .45-70 _is_ small arms, small arms means weapons smaller than _heavy tripod or carriage mounted guns._ All shoulder fired rifles are small arms, and a handgun is small arms by _any_ definition.
WJS, Whats YOUR point? I said NOT ONE THING ABOUT "ARMS BIG OR SMALL". BTW What did you have to say to Bruce Penny who DID imply the 45-70 was NOT small arms. (400gr 1250 fps), Maybe you feared taking him on? So I guess you might consider the WWI German Anti-rank rifle "Small Arms" because it was shoulder fired?? www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww1/Germany/AT-guns/mauser-tankgewehr-m1918/
Jerry many many months ago, possibly as many as 18 months ago, I asked you to do some videos where based on big bore revolvers, and you replies stating that you would, I just wanted to say that true to your word you have done just that. I just wanted to thank you, a true man of the people. Great work Jerry, keep kickin' ass and drive on mate!!
Mr. Miculek - you are one lucky son of a gun -> not for the millions rounds you shoot or your success in competitions - but for all the interesting pieces of boomsticks you tried - thank you for sharing with us your passion. Cheers from Bulgaria and please excuse my poor English.
***** Ha. If only that were the case. In California, a gun must be approved by the California DOJ even if it's just the color being changed. the COLOR.
Great timing. I'm loading 45-70 tonight when your video posted. I have a Magnum Research BFR stainless six shot revolver with a 10" barrel and it is a ton of fun to shoot. The full power heavy hunting loads are ridiculous. The heavy weight of the revolver tames the recoil a bit but they still hurt and five is all most people want to shoot... or less! I also have a nice little stainless Rossi lever action carbine that will really thump. I cast my own lead bullets. I have 450 gr and 500 gr bullet molds. I've been tumbling the bullets in powder coat and baking it to cure the powder into a very tough powder coat jacket that is surprisingly good to over 3000 fps with no leading at all. I have three loads for the 500 gr bullets that I designate according to Taco Bell sauce packets - mild, medium and hot. I think I'll develop a full power load and call it fire. As Jerry mentioned, downloading makes the revolver more fun to shoot, and that big heavy bullet still penetrates like crazy. With the powder coat instead of bullet lube, I can even shoot softer lead at the lower velocities (pressures) and they'll expand. I might even drill some deep hollow points to get a real big energy dump.
Edwardlewis18 Comparing full power loads, the 45-70 is punishing but not as punishing as the 500 S&W magnum, but both revolvers can be downloaded to be real pussy cats if you like, and they're fun to shoot at any power factor. I don't own a 500 S&W but I do love the BFR. It's VERY well built. The cylinder spins like it's on bearings. The gap between the cylinder and barrel is tight. Everything about it is top notch. I put the Hogue rubber grip on it (same one that fits a Ruger Red Hawk) and I did a Poor Boy trigger job (lifted one side of the spring to reduce the hammer force) while I was swapping grips. I do wish there was a rubbery grip with deep finger grooves and some rubber padding on the back side. The Hogue grip is nice but the back strap is still exposed steel.
You handled the recoil so well. I read an article on the 45-70. It said that in a modern firearm the only thing stopping you in reloading was what recoil you could handle.
Hey Jerry, Ian covered these revolvers a few years ago and told about the guys who built the guns. They initially formed the company and used the term Century because they were building them in the centennial year of the cartridge, 1973. It took a long time to deliver the goods, so most were well past the centennial year age. I love the versatility I have with the cartridge, loading it for my #3 carbine and my 1886 rifle. The 300gr HPs are like lightning bolts.
My then 13 year old younger brother bought that copy of guns n ammo, I was 15 when I read the article on this cannon and Elmer Keith. Legend. I used to cut out the photos and put them on my bedroom wall. Happy days!
That is a rare piece Jerry. I was not aware of a hand gun in that old caliber. I love the lever action 45-70 but the ammo is a bit expensive. That is why I did not buy one. Good review showing this thanks.
The '73 Colt single-action .45 army was the pistol Custer's guys had at Little Bighorn. They also used the Springfield Trapdoor carbine with the reduced load cartridge (using wadding to fill the gap in the cartridge, I understand). With these two things in mind, it's interesting to see a single -action revolver firing what was considered a powerful long gun round in 1876! LOL
Who doesn't love shooting a massive hand cannon. The slow motion is awesome, really neat to see the fire. Also, what a great story about how you got the gun.
I'm 56 and I can remember 2 nickel plated 45/70 revolvers in a showcase at Arenkils Pawn in Aurora, IL. in the mid 60's. They were a matched set with 12" barrels. They sold them in the past few years.
I wish I knew more about it but my father has been shooting competition silhouette with a 357 super mag, a 454 single shot, and you guessed it a 45-70 gov. For little more than 30 years. By far my favorite revolver is his 45-70 gov. I fell in love with the first time I shot it!
@@baker90338 Actually - in the game there are two 45 70 revolvers. The "hunting revolver" is most certainly modeled after the BFR from Magnum Research. But NCR Rangers carry a different revolver in 45 70. And that revolver is more similar to this one.
James Robinson The Ranger Sequoia is literally the same model as the base hunting revolver, but without a scope and a color palette swap. They’re very much inspired by the Magnum Research BFR, though the Fallout guns have swing-out cylinders instead of a loading gate.
I had a Magnum Research BFR chambered in .450 Marlin, which is a belted cartridge based on the .45-70, and essentially a magnum version of the .45-70. All I can say it was a beast but fun gun.
I had a chance to shoot one of these back in 81. A friend bought it in "95% finished" form. Don't know if it was from this particular company. Black powder kit guns were really popular back then. We were both students at Colorado school of Trades back then. He took it on an elk hunt and actually dropped a big bull with one. We were hiking from camp to where we intended to set up and he hadn't loaded his rifle yet and the elk just stepped out of cover about thirty yards away. One of those one in a million shots but that 45-70 did the job real proper. I tried it out and it was surprisingly manageable.
Love this video. I have become a big fan of the 45-70 since buying my Marlin 1895. Eventually, I want to load my own since factory ammo can be in short supply, where I live. Lehigh Defense had a really impressive multiple projectile cartridge in 45-70.
I have one of those too. When I go to the range I draw a crowd everybody loves it. Your video was very impressive but your shooting ability is the best. You never stop impressing me I just wish I could shoot half as good as you. Chris
I read Elmer Keith's article on one in "Guns and Ammo" about 1976 when I was 15, and wanted one sooooo bad. They were long out of business by the time I could afford one. Had to be satisfied with a 50/70 contender! Lol
Created in 1973 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the .45-70 cartridge by the US military, the Model 100 revolver is a behemoth of a six-shooter. It was made by Earl Keller and Gene Phelps of Indiana, under the name Century Mfg, Inc (no relation to Century International Arms). The design is a Single Action Army Colt scaled up, and was made with a bronze frame, and with a cross bolt safety added. They were initially chambered for .45-70, but this expanded to include .50-70 (“The Mother Load”), .375 Winchester .444 Marlin, and .30-30 Winchester. Phelps and Keller parted ways in 1976, with Keller continuing to make the guns the same way and Phelps changing to stainless steel and abandoning the cross bolt safety. In total, something close to 3,000 guns were made in total between the two. (Ian McCollum, Forgotten Weapons)
Brings back lots of good memories from the 70's with an old Thompson Contender.... What a brute in the larger bores... Good stuff Mr Miculek... Good Stuff :)
I've been told that the .45-70 is a good brushland hunting cartridge due to the lack of the bullet deflection from brush and twigs from it's mass. Ordering this pistol and waiting for a retirement gift now 30 years from now
Great video that looks like a lot of fun. A buddy of mine used to load his 45-70 close to 458 magnum specs and shoot it in a Browning Single Shot, I took a shot with it and holy cow did it kick. Great looking revolver though I think your right that Elmer Keith did the article for it way back in 77 or so.
I have an 1873 Springfield Trapdoor 45-70 that was made in 1883 that has been in my family for like 5 generations now. I shoot 405 grain cast lead bullets out of it and it kicks like a horse! I can`t imagine what even a light load would be like in a pistol, but I would sure like to try it!
If I'm not mistaken, the 45-70 was the big dig until the S&W 460 XVR took it's crown by utilizing the same 45 caliber projectile and not only meeting the velocity but also surpassing it in 2005.
A good friend of mine has one of these, he also waited 9 or 10 years to get it but it was worth the wait. It's definitely fun to shoot. Love your videos Jerry, wish I could meet you someday and sling a little lead with ya.
Jerry have you ever shot a 22 TCM ? Armscor makes it and RIA makes a 1911 in 22TCM. The bullet flys out of the muzzle at 2000 fps. And it makes a bright flash and a loud boom.
Interesting video-I have a .45-70 in a 12" Contender, it definitely turns heads on the range. Only had two people ask to shoot it though, can't imagine why.
I remember Elmer Keith reviewing a revolver in 45/70 years ago. He said his friend, Erv Malnarich , a hunting guide in Hamilton, MT could handle it easily because ol Erv was a big fellow.
My Magnum Research BFR4570 is a 5-shot SA, stainless steel. I'm a 69 y/o woman and I have no problem handling it. Ironically, the 405gr loads are nicer to handle than 300gr rounds. BTW: I've offered grown men the opportunity to shoot it and they just backed away. {MR offers the BFR in several calibers, including .30-30, .454 Cassul, .460S&W, .500S&W and others.}
Wow! I saw a modern stainless variant of this, I can't remember the manufacturer but it was just awesome, gargantuan cylinder and a 7" barrel with nice porting at the end. This was a beautiful gun however, I like the brass and black classic look and the power, incredible!
I'm not experienced, but I thought .45-70 is supposed to have more recoil than 30.06. And 30.06 is kinda the level of recoil where it feels pretty serious to a shoulder. Jerry makes this revolver look pretty comfy to shoot.
Seeing you check how far a bullet went into a berm got me wondering about how your range is designed and maintained. If there is something that can be made about those topics or just ranges in general, outdoor or indoor, and that fits the spirit of your channel, it would definitely be interesting to see. (The video on melting lead or the one that showed tumbling brass in a cement mixer are the kind I'm thinking about) Thank you
I have a Marlin '95 in .45-70 I Ioad with 300gr bullets at 1700fps. Can the BFR handle the same load? I'd like to get a BFR as a companion to the Marlin...
The BFR is not intended to handle rifle pressure rounds. That said it may be able to handle the trapdoor older style rifle loads, but not anything like Ruger #1 rifle loads. There is pistol ammo load data available online for the BFR. Please be careful.
The806Traveler I've been looking at the .45-70 BFR but am wavering now that you mention that it isn't built for rifle rounds. Are you limited to only using pistol rounds? Thanks in advance
They were made by Century Manufacturing Company. It is different than Century Arms. CMC was developed and used the name Century because they began making this pistol at the Century anniversary of the .45-70 cartridge. They also made the .50-70 "The Mother Load" model called the model 500.
And the ranger's aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip.
big iron on his hiiiippppppppppp
Marty Robbins fans I see......and Fallout NV fans no doubt
Big Iron... BIG IRON...
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
For Fans of the song, I am surprised at the amount of people who think "Big Iron" would have been a 45 Single Action Army. The Arizona Rangers were active around 1860 to 1861, and then again later in the 1880s for a short period, then for about 8 years right after the turn of the Century. That means that the "Big Iron" would most likely have come from the earlier period, and would either have been a Colt Walker or more likely a Colt's Dragoon. The Walker was the biggest, but the Dragoon was still massive compared to the small frame 1851 navy and pocket revolvers then also available. This is noteworthy, as all of these revolvers had iron cylinders and frames.(most likely the steel used had very little carbon in it so it would be considered iron) It was not until the 1860 Army came along with its new "Silver Spring Steel" that a .44 caliber revolver could be had in a Navy sized package. It was also the start of the civil war, and the only southern force to be able to acquire them before the war's end was the Texas Rangers, who had remained neutral as a law enforcement body instead of joining the war like the Arizona Rangers did.
Answer, Colt's Dragoon is the most likely candidate for the Big Iron name.
In the army they told me 18 inches of dirt would stop any small arms fire. So much for that.
don't forget the 4 water jugs
They were talking about the 5.56 and the AK round when they mentioned Small Arms ..not the 400 grain lead pill at 1250 fps which just keeps on going like an express train
I have in my basement a 5 gal bucket of - dry - sand that I can shoot into to test some aspects of handloads before going to the range. I have fired 22 Hornet, 38, 357 and 45LC into that sand (distance approx 2 feet). Never found any slug more than 7" down.
As someone else pointed out 45-70 is not a "small arms" round. It is a hefty rifle round. In the late 1800s it brought down 3/4 ton Buffalo at ranges up to 100yds. And that was black powder. Modern smokeless loads are even more potent!
+Frederick Wise
You have no idea what "small arms" means. A .45-70 _is_ small arms, small arms means weapons smaller than _heavy tripod or carriage mounted guns._ All shoulder fired rifles are small arms, and a handgun is small arms by _any_ definition.
WJS, Whats YOUR point? I said NOT ONE THING ABOUT "ARMS BIG OR SMALL". BTW What did you have to say to Bruce Penny who DID imply the 45-70 was NOT small arms. (400gr 1250 fps), Maybe you feared taking him on?
So I guess you might consider the WWI German Anti-rank rifle "Small Arms" because it was shoulder fired??
www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww1/Germany/AT-guns/mauser-tankgewehr-m1918/
Good Crocodile Dundee opportunity ,"That's not a revolver ,THIS is a revolver!"
Yes
+Kimber D Revolver/artillery piece.
Looking good for a 27 year old Jerry. Love how he snuck that in there.
Bryce Rother in 77 he was 27 lol
@@cozyrules1457 1877
Jerry many many months ago, possibly as many as 18 months ago, I asked you to do some videos where based on big bore revolvers, and you replies stating that you would, I just wanted to say that true to your word you have done just that. I just wanted to thank you, a true man of the people. Great work Jerry, keep kickin' ass and drive on mate!!
Mr. Miculek - you are one lucky son of a gun -> not for the millions rounds you shoot or your success in competitions - but for all the interesting pieces of boomsticks you tried - thank you for sharing with us your passion.
Cheers from Bulgaria and please excuse my poor English.
Your English is quite good, better than some for which it is even their first language.
Yea... You type better English than 80% of America buddy.
Не можах да се сдържа.
***** Your English is excellent. :)
Thank you all and have a nice day.
Ranger Sequoia
Taking out Legionnaire's, one shot at a time.
I think the Sequoia might be prohibited in the New California Republic for civilians to own. The Rangers are the only ones permitted to own them.
***** lol in the current California Republic you can't own anything! XD
But yeah, I'd totally live in California if their gun laws weren't shite. FONV
*****
Ha. If only that were the case. In California, a gun must be approved by the California DOJ even if it's just the color being changed. the COLOR.
I see what you did there.
Great timing. I'm loading 45-70 tonight when your video posted. I have a Magnum Research BFR stainless six shot revolver with a 10" barrel and it is a ton of fun to shoot. The full power heavy hunting loads are ridiculous. The heavy weight of the revolver tames the recoil a bit but they still hurt and five is all most people want to shoot... or less! I also have a nice little stainless Rossi lever action carbine that will really thump. I cast my own lead bullets. I have 450 gr and 500 gr bullet molds. I've been tumbling the bullets in powder coat and baking it to cure the powder into a very tough powder coat jacket that is surprisingly good to over 3000 fps with no leading at all. I have three loads for the 500 gr bullets that I designate according to Taco Bell sauce packets - mild, medium and hot. I think I'll develop a full power load and call it fire. As Jerry mentioned, downloading makes the revolver more fun to shoot, and that big heavy bullet still penetrates like crazy. With the powder coat instead of bullet lube, I can even shoot softer lead at the lower velocities (pressures) and they'll expand. I might even drill some deep hollow points to get a real big energy dump.
Great comment! How do you like the BFR, and how is the recoil compared to something like the 500 Smith and Wesson?
Edwardlewis18
Comparing full power loads, the 45-70 is punishing but not as punishing as the 500 S&W magnum, but both revolvers can be downloaded to be real pussy cats if you like, and they're fun to shoot at any power factor. I don't own a 500 S&W but I do love the BFR. It's VERY well built. The cylinder spins like it's on bearings. The gap between the cylinder and barrel is tight. Everything about it is top notch. I put the Hogue rubber grip on it (same one that fits a Ruger Red Hawk) and I did a Poor Boy trigger job (lifted one side of the spring to reduce the hammer force) while I was swapping grips. I do wish there was a rubbery grip with deep finger grooves and some rubber padding on the back side. The Hogue grip is nice but the back strap is still exposed steel.
Thanks!
You handled the recoil so well.
I read an article on the 45-70. It said that in a modern firearm the only thing stopping you in reloading was what recoil you could handle.
Love my 45-70 lever action. Can't imagine a hand gun with that round
And today you can still get a 45/70 revolver from Magnum Research in their BFR model.
BFR? Big Friggin' Revolver? lol
@@edb3877they say Biggest Finest Revolver.
They made this gun for about 20 yrs so the last buyers should be receiving it shortly.
@Sean K California in fact, bad
@@somnolentSlumber strict gun law bad lenient gun law good
@@channelchannelchannelchannel Yeah well its fucking true
"I'm going to have that for concealed carry" Sure, if you're waltzing through the ghettos of Anchorage, it'd fit the bill well.
unfortunately just about every area of anchorage I'd becoming mountain view
If your familiar with the BFR if you have a look on google this guy gots like a 3 inch barrel in .45/70 that he carry’s.
_proud Hickok45 noises_
@@fauxbro1983 that’s why I’m going to concealed carry when I’m older
@@fauxbro1983 because of places like Mountain View
Jerry is like a living Discovery Channel with extraordinary shooting skills!
Really a treat to hear you speak on a classic American cartridge in a very cool platform. Thanks for the content Jerry, absolutely love the channel.
The 45-70 is one baddest round I've seen an it makes me happy to hear that
Hey Jerry, Ian covered these revolvers a few years ago and told about the guys who built the guns. They initially formed the company and used the term Century because they were building them in the centennial year of the cartridge, 1973. It took a long time to deliver the goods, so most were well past the centennial year age. I love the versatility I have with the cartridge, loading it for my #3 carbine and my 1886 rifle. The 300gr HPs are like lightning bolts.
45-70. For Grizzlies, Rhinos and T-Rex
And deathclaws.
They had to stop making these because the Feds were fed up with good old boys shooting down Russian satellites with them.
T-Rex? Heh heh... maybe .50 BMG but no single shots. lol
My then 13 year old younger brother bought that copy of guns n ammo, I was 15 when I read the article on this cannon and Elmer Keith. Legend. I used to cut out the photos and put them on my bedroom wall. Happy days!
That is a rare piece Jerry. I was not aware of a hand gun in that old caliber. I love the lever action 45-70 but the ammo is a bit expensive. That is why I did not buy one. Good review showing this thanks.
The '73 Colt single-action .45 army was the pistol Custer's guys had at Little Bighorn. They also used the Springfield Trapdoor carbine with the reduced load cartridge (using wadding to fill the gap in the cartridge, I understand). With these two things in mind, it's interesting to see a single -action revolver firing what was considered a powerful long gun round in 1876! LOL
Is it just me or is there simply something so satisfying about watching someone load these old style revolvers before they send a few down range?
Who doesn't love shooting a massive hand cannon. The slow motion is awesome, really neat to see the fire. Also, what a great story about how you got the gun.
I'm 56 and I can remember 2 nickel plated 45/70 revolvers in a showcase at Arenkils Pawn in Aurora, IL. in the mid 60's. They were a matched set with 12" barrels. They sold them in the past few years.
I wish I knew more about it but my father has been shooting competition silhouette with a 357 super mag, a 454 single shot, and you guessed it a 45-70 gov. For little more than 30 years. By far my favorite revolver is his 45-70 gov. I fell in love with the first time I shot it!
That is a GIANT revolver. I've shot the 500 s&w magnum so I know the feeling of power- this looks pretty insane.
Note to self. Don't hide behind 4 jugs of water.
henerymag, and a 3ft dirt berm,. Probably not even behind a neighbors wall and refrigerator or a car (maybe a military humvee) LOL
This is my favorite! Love big bore hand cannons!
wow a real life ranger sequoia.
Absoleet A i know right
The handcanon is actually a magnum research bfr
This is fallout talk, you scavver
@@baker90338 Actually - in the game there are two 45 70 revolvers. The "hunting revolver" is most certainly modeled after the BFR from Magnum Research. But NCR Rangers carry a different revolver in 45 70. And that revolver is more similar to this one.
James Robinson The Ranger Sequoia is literally the same model as the base hunting revolver, but without a scope and a color palette swap. They’re very much inspired by the Magnum Research BFR, though the Fallout guns have swing-out cylinders instead of a loading gate.
Big iron, big iron.
And he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip, big iron on his hiiiiiiip.
+A boy and his rifle. amazing
+Fenryr 3001 you too
Fenryr 3001 What the fuck is a "Ranger Sequoia?"
It's a 45-70 revolver in the videogame Fallout New Vegas.
Impressive! I just purchased a Marlin lever gun in .45-70 and can't wait to play with reloading and shooting!
thank you Jerry for all the great times!
I love the giant $25,000 check in the background... LOL... Only in the Miculek family.
I could listen to Miculek talk about the history of guns and ammo all day
I always love watching the videos you make Jerry. All the years and experience you have and bring to people is always great. Keep up the great work.
Mrs. M ever gonna cash that check? LOL
It's actually my daughters and I think its been long cashed!
***** lucky girl
one handed shooting bfr 45/70
Cracks me up when he's shooting the steels, turns back to the camera and says "Yeeeah!" Awesome.
I had a Magnum Research BFR chambered in .450 Marlin, which is a belted cartridge based on the .45-70, and essentially a magnum version of the .45-70. All I can say it was a beast but fun gun.
"Monster of the east, huh? well I've got the Monster of the west in my hostler now. Hope I get to introduce them."
I'm so happy they made a revolver for this round
I had a chance to shoot one of these back in 81. A friend bought it in "95% finished" form. Don't know if it was from this particular company. Black powder kit guns were really popular back then. We were both students at Colorado school of Trades back then. He took it on an elk hunt and actually dropped a big bull with one. We were hiking from camp to where we intended to set up and he hadn't loaded his rifle yet and the elk just stepped out of cover about thirty yards away. One of those one in a million shots but that 45-70 did the job real proper. I tried it out and it was surprisingly manageable.
I knew Earl Keller, watched him develop that gun. Ordered mine in 1973, got it the day my 2nd son was born in 1981. Always a head turner
Jerry shoots a .45-70 with the same level of recoil control that most normal folks shot a .357 with. Gotta get on his level.
Ok, Jerry, now you gotta shoot the .45-70 Alaskan Survival Derringer.
That thing is NASTY!
Talk about needing surgery....DAAAYYYUUMM!! 45 Colt is enuf for my pansy ass!!
Tree shits a pine cone @ 2:32
Lol
Love this video. I have become a big fan of the 45-70 since buying my Marlin 1895. Eventually, I want to load my own since factory ammo can be in short supply, where I live. Lehigh Defense had a really impressive multiple projectile cartridge in 45-70.
Magnum Research makes pistols chambered in .45-70.
Impressive in every way. Somewhere I saw a video of a fellow firing a derringer in 45-70. He fired it once and that was enough.
jerry: i have never shot it,30 seconds later its a fun gun to shoot
My grandfather had a Springfield '73 Trapdoor, the rounds for that thing are huge (and it's a heavy gun)
I have one of those too. When I go to the range I draw a crowd everybody loves it. Your video was very impressive but your shooting ability is the best. You never stop impressing me I just wish I could shoot half as good as you.
Chris
I stand in awe of Jerry's skill, accuracy and speed!! He is what every shooter would like to be!!!
I've got an 1873 Colt New 22 with an 1874 .22lr cylinder installed. Works flawlessly. Old is only a number.
I can't imagine buying a gun and getting it delivered 9 yrs later
I read Elmer Keith's article on one in "Guns and Ammo" about 1976 when I was 15, and wanted one sooooo bad. They were long out of business by the time I could afford one. Had to be satisfied with a 50/70 contender! Lol
Wow, I didn't realize anyone made a .45-70 revolver before Magnum Research.
Created in 1973 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the .45-70 cartridge by the US military, the Model 100 revolver is a behemoth of a six-shooter. It was made by Earl Keller and Gene Phelps of Indiana, under the name Century Mfg, Inc (no relation to Century International Arms). The design is a Single Action Army Colt scaled up, and was made with a bronze frame, and with a cross bolt safety added. They were initially chambered for .45-70, but this expanded to include .50-70 (“The Mother Load”), .375 Winchester .444 Marlin, and .30-30 Winchester.
Phelps and Keller parted ways in 1976, with Keller continuing to make the guns the same way and Phelps changing to stainless steel and abandoning the cross bolt safety. In total, something close to 3,000 guns were made in total between the two. (Ian McCollum, Forgotten Weapons)
I love all the un-burned power igniting long after the round has left the barrel
Brings back lots of good memories from the 70's with an old Thompson Contender.... What a brute in the larger bores... Good stuff Mr Miculek... Good Stuff :)
Jerry it was fun watching you shoot that gun I have one just like it, it is pure joy to shoot.Chris
9 years? The wait was worth it.
Heck Yeah !!!! Nice of you to bring out the old toys !!!! DO MORE !!!
the slow motion video of the bullet passing thru the water jugs was amazing.
Such a steady hand even with that monster gun!
I've been told that the .45-70 is a good brushland hunting cartridge due to the lack of the bullet deflection from brush and twigs from it's mass. Ordering this pistol and waiting for a retirement gift now 30 years from now
Jerry, that big 45-70 wheel gun is definitely you!
Thanks for sharing.
Great video that looks like a lot of fun. A buddy of mine used to load his 45-70 close to 458 magnum specs and shoot it in a Browning Single Shot, I took a shot with it and holy cow did it kick. Great looking revolver though I think your right that Elmer Keith did the article for it way back in 77 or so.
That slow Mo was sick with the fire ring
I have an 1873 Springfield Trapdoor 45-70 that was made in 1883 that has been in my family for like 5 generations now. I shoot 405 grain cast lead bullets out of it and it kicks like a horse! I can`t imagine what even a light load would be like in a pistol, but I would sure like to try it!
"Im about 27 years old" LMAO the absolutely dead cold delivery, brilliant.
I’ve never seen this revolver before. Great shooting.
If I'm not mistaken, the 45-70 was the big dig until the S&W 460 XVR took it's crown by utilizing the same 45 caliber projectile and not only meeting the velocity but also surpassing it in 2005.
A good friend of mine has one of these, he also waited 9 or 10 years to get it but it was worth the wait. It's definitely fun to shoot. Love your videos Jerry, wish I could meet you someday and sling a little lead with ya.
9 year wait!
And then another twenty some years to shoot it!?
Jerry have you ever shot a 22 TCM ? Armscor makes it and RIA makes a 1911 in 22TCM. The bullet flys out of the muzzle at 2000 fps. And it makes a bright flash and a loud boom.
Could watch these videos all day long....
Love this guy's excitement
Sure did enjoy... Great Video.. that cartridge is close to everyone's hearts for sure... hope you're doing great.
That's one awesome firearm thanks for informing us Jerry!
Thanks Jerry that was fun !
Interesting video-I have a .45-70 in a 12" Contender, it definitely turns heads on the range. Only had two people ask to shoot it though, can't imagine why.
The ring of smoke from the barrel looks so crazy!
I remember Elmer Keith reviewing a revolver in 45/70 years ago. He said his friend, Erv Malnarich , a hunting guide in Hamilton, MT could handle it easily because ol Erv was a big fellow.
That 45-70 is a straight up beauty 😎
Jerry, We had one at Reno Gun Works for awhile....how cool
My Magnum Research BFR4570 is a 5-shot SA, stainless steel. I'm a 69 y/o woman and I have no problem handling it.
Ironically, the 405gr loads are nicer to handle than 300gr rounds.
BTW: I've offered grown men the opportunity to shoot it and they just backed away.
{MR offers the BFR in several calibers, including .30-30, .454 Cassul, .460S&W, .500S&W and others.}
Wow! I saw a modern stainless variant of this, I can't remember the manufacturer but it was just awesome, gargantuan cylinder and a 7" barrel with nice porting at the end. This was a beautiful gun however, I like the brass and black classic look and the power, incredible!
You have way to many awesome videos to have only one favorite.
Damn, Jerry. I'm older than you at 39? Awesome.
That was great. Looked like a .45LC for recoil. Bet the .444 Marlin is an impressive showing as well.
I'm not experienced, but I thought .45-70 is supposed to have more recoil than 30.06. And 30.06 is kinda the level of recoil where it feels pretty serious to a shoulder. Jerry makes this revolver look pretty comfy to shoot.
'bout like shootin' a 12 ga.
Jerry and that gun are BADASS!!!
Seeing you check how far a bullet went into a berm got me wondering about how your range is designed and maintained. If there is something that can be made about those topics or just ranges in general, outdoor or indoor, and that fits the spirit of your channel, it would definitely be interesting to see. (The video on melting lead or the one that showed tumbling brass in a cement mixer are the kind I'm thinking about) Thank you
Jerry is the Chuck Norris of firearms shooting.
I have the Magnum Research BFR in .45-70. It's fun to shoot and a great convo starter at the range.
Me too! The 45-70 BFR is definitely a show gun! I got it for open carry events. It's my fancy Sunday Go To Meetin' gun.
I have a Marlin '95 in .45-70 I Ioad with 300gr bullets at 1700fps. Can the BFR handle the same load? I'd like to get a BFR as a companion to the Marlin...
The BFR is not intended to handle rifle pressure rounds. That said it may be able to handle the trapdoor older style rifle loads, but not anything like Ruger #1 rifle loads. There is pistol ammo load data available online for the BFR. Please be careful.
The806Traveler
Thanks for the heads up!
The806Traveler I've been looking at the .45-70 BFR but am wavering now that you mention that it isn't built for rifle rounds. Are you limited to only using pistol rounds?
Thanks in advance
The first handgun I ever shot was a 45-70 revolver when I was 12 years old. Good times...
Bullshit, no way you didn't have your face ripped off as a 12 year old attempting to control that recoil.
It was a heavy gun, plus it had an optic.
Skeetshooting7 Now i know you are lying.
Okay, not sure why everyone is hating on my comment...
.45-70 wasn't really that bad when I was 12
They were made by Century Manufacturing Company. It is different than Century Arms. CMC was developed and used the name Century because they began making this pistol at the Century anniversary of the .45-70 cartridge. They also made the .50-70 "The Mother Load" model called the model 500.
Elmer used to teach marksmanship at Erv Malnarich’s guide school. A friend of mine went to his school in 75.
Excellent video!!! Thanks Jerry!!!
Merry Christmas Jerry. Keep up the great work!
Very fun to watch course with you a 22 magnum is fun to watch you shoot thanks again and have fun God bless