Henry Rifle Forums

I know that the X series comes threaded for a muzzle brake, but I really wanted the looks of the Classic Side Gate 45-70 so I bought one. I know it's a big caliber that depending on the load will have a sizable kick to it. I've had major surgery on both shoulders, most recently my shooting shoulder (10 months ago). When I go to the range I like to put 50 or so rounds downrange. I shot my 30-06 for the first time post-surgery and after 50 rounds I realized that I was going to need a muzzle brake to shoot that often.

So now I have my 45-70 on the way, and have never shot one before. If the recoil is too severe, I'll try with a recoil pad. Beyond that if I have, I'll have a muzzle brake installed on it. For those of you shooting the 45-70, have any of you put a muzzle brake on one, and if so, how much improvement was it for managing recoil? And what did you use?

Get a PAST recoil shield that straps to your shoulder. If you can shoot offhand instead of from the bench that will also help. Do you plan on loading your own ammo for it? If so you can use a lighter (300 grain) bullet and a mild powder charge.

Travlin wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 15, 2021 10:32 pm

Get a PAST recoil shield that straps to your shoulder. If you can shoot offhand instead of from the bench that will also help. Do you plan on loading your own ammo for it? If so you can use a lighter (300 grain) bullet and a mild powder charge.

Thanks for the tip on the PAST recoil shield. I'd never even heard of it before. That's a superb idea!

Eventually I will be reloading, but that's a couple of years away (longer story).

I just ordered the PAST Super Mag Plus Recoil Pad Shield from Amazon. Thanks again!

You are welcome. I hope that it allows you to do a lot of shooting with your new 45-70.

we installed a Mercury Recoil Suppressor ====> http://www.mercuryrecoil.com/, Mag-Na-Ported the barrel ===> https://magnaport.com/rifle.html, and replaced the OEM recoil pad with the best Kick-EEZ recoil pad ===> https://kickeezproducts.com/ ..... we've used this combination of upgrades on several hard kickers and the consistently produce a substantial reduction in felt recoil .... along with firing Cowboy Action level ===> https://hsmammunition.com/cowboy-action/, actually makes our Henry CCH 45-70 fun to shoot

Even a cheap slip on rubber recoil pad like the Limbsaver will help, but my experience shooting the 45-70 is that the load you are shooting is a huge factor in recoil. Old granny me got along just fine with the old traditional 405 grain Remington factory ammo running at about 1300 fps, but those now common 300-350 grain hunting loads running 1600-1800 fps could be just plain nasty.

Plus one for the magna-porting. Will definitely help.

OP-

See:

https://rangerpointstore.com/marlin-hen ... k-nitride/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrCi9jy48Ds

For a future suppressor:

https://www.silencershop.com/accessorie ... rakes.html

A brake will not reduce MV but it will be louder to shoot especially to the side.

Unlike the add on devices for an individual rifle, the Past shoulder pad can be used with any shoulder arm that the shooter chooses.

A brake will not increase your LOP nor hang up on the stock when you mount your rifle. Ok with me that you use a "strap on", I'll individualize my rifles for ease of use.

50 rounds per range session means you really need to be reloading. Then you can use pussy cat loads to make things a whole lot more pleasant. I love the .45/70, and have owned two rifles in that caliber, but I finally abandoned it entirely for a .44 Mag. I shoot gallery loads for fun, no more than 900 fps. I also keep it for campground protection with very heavy bear loads, but I definitely do not like to fire them.

I installed a linear compensator on my BBX, to redirect the muzzle blast down range. With light loads it is almost hearing safe, and it doesn’t piss of anybody else like a muzzle break does. Be aware that any device you screw onto the muzzle will affect the use of the Henry mag tube, if you are OK with side loading, that won’t be an issue. I was able to modify my linear comp to allow mag use also. Unfortunately that model comp won’t safely work on a .45/70, with standard ammo, which requires a much larger one. It would work for Trail Boss loads.

https://www.kawvalleyprecision.com/category-s/151.htm

John Davies
Spokane WA

45-70 Lever love! I took up reloading because of that rifle lol I now have some decent mid-strength loads. Accurate but not killing my shoulder anymore. For all day fun I can shoot really low pressure cowboy loads and if I want some longer accurate loads I like reloading the Hornady FTX shorties with the minimum grains in em. I also (accidentally) found out that adding a Leather cartridge holder on the stock and keeping it full adds weight and actually helps smooth out the kick Have fun with that rifle!

On another note I don't see how anybody can comfortably fire the brass model. Solid brass butt plate=OUCH

Muzzle brake=loudner