[LRS_Ranger]

I think that this is an ok buy, but is it a steal? It's in blue with the 18 inch barrel and comes with 60 rounds of brass. (45-70) Whaddya think?

[Baldeagle]

If it's in good shape and I wanted one, I'd grab it up.

[Liberty1776]

I think it's a steal. I also think the last owner could barely stand to fire off the three boxes of ammo, with that 18" bbl...:D

[ArmedBear]

Terrible deal.

BTW, can you give me contact info for the seller?:D

[66912]

YUP!

[LRS_Ranger]

The recoil would be worse for a longer barrel due to the higher velocity of the bullet right? I want it as my truck gun.. It should kill anything in North America. How is the recoil compared to a light safari rifle in .375 H&H? I have shot one of those. The guy did say that it was pretty brutal with 500gr slugs...

[ArmedBear]

The recoil would be worse for a longer barrel due to the higher velocity of the bullet right?

Depends what you shoot in it. I suspect that modern hot smokeless loads wouldn't lose that much velocity in a shorter barrel, so you'd be dealing mostly with differences in rifle weight.

Personally, I don't see a need for the really high-velocity stuff people have been doing with .45-70, for most applications anyway. 500 grains at a lower velocity will also "kill anything in North America."

I've hunted with .45-70 once, and it gave me a healthy respect for the round. 520 grain round nose lead bullet over 68 grains of black powder. North American Bison at 80 yards. One shot, one kill, couldn't tell the entrance from the exit. That bullet probably wasn't going more than 1200 fps when it hit, and that might be generous.

Off the bench, it's horrible to shoot. Offhand, it's really no sweat. You can shoot it for fun. Really. Lower velocity means a push, not a slam, and .45-70 is nothing like a light .375 H&H, with rational loads.

[chuck pullen]

Holy ____ ! That's certainly a "good" deal.

[Beagle-zebub]

The crazy 500-gr. slug rounds are just boutique pieces for killing stuff like elk. (And it will kill an elk.) Loads in the style of the old Springfield 1873 loads are much more reasonable, by which I mean under 1,800 ft-lbs of kinetic energy.

[PowerG]

Steal. I've got one, with mild factory loads the recoil isn't bad at all. With the hotter loads it can go from uncomfortable to call the orthopedist. You shoot things with it they fall down, I've taken about 20 deer with mine and it always impresses.

[ArmedBear]

elk?

Hell, no. 500 is for buffalo. It will kill two if they're in line with each other. You sure don't need it for elk, unless you want to kill several of them in a line.

[Arkansas Paul]

Wow! Wish I could find deals like that.

[Robert]

Planning on taking my 1895G Elk hunting this fall. That is a great deal on a rifle.

[Gunfighter123]

For $300 that is a great deal ---- I have not seen any Marlin 45/70 sell for that in over 5 years around here -----------Off the bench, it's horrible to shoot. Offhand, it's really no sweat. You can shoot it for fun. Really. Lower velocity means a push, not a slam, and .45-70 is nothing like a light .375 H&H, with rational loads.

I gotta agree 100% with that statement ---- I was reloading some 300 gr. LRN and they were very soft --- go up past 405 gr. bullets and they are "thumpers" --- but thats half the fun !!!! BTW ---- we have shot 45/70 single shot Brn.BPCR Hi-Walls out past 500 yards and got 8+ hits on a 1/4 size steel buffalo. Tried the same with my Marlin 45/70 lever and only got 4 or 5 hits out of 10 shots ---- the factory iron sights on the Marlin are not good for real long distance --- at 100 yards , I'd get 9 or 10 hits out of 10 rds.

[KodeFore]

Make sure you get a receipt as proof of your theft & buy it ASAP.

[wanderinwalker]

Just a nit-pick: If it's blued, it shouldn't be an SS, but a G.

Either way, for $300 this should be an I BOUGHT thread and not IS THIS A DEAL? :D

Recoil with factory loads isn't bad at all. The 405s are adequate to shoot through near anything even at the rate 1300-fps or so they generate. 300s seem to bark a bit more, which I suspect is from the higher velocity, but still not overwhelming. I'd rather shoot a box through an 1895G than a box of .300 WSM through a Ruger 77.

[jkingrph]

Just a nit-pick: If it's blued, it shouldn't be an SS, but a G.


Marlin uses "SS" to mean side safety!!

[ArmedBear]

Marlin uses "SS" to mean side safety!!

In what universe?

[Abel]

Marlin 1895SS for $300, good deal?

Never heard of an 1895SS. Is it an 1895GS? Any 1895 is a good deal for $300.

1895GS:
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Images/photo_1895GS.jpg

[LRS_Ranger]

He told me that it is an SS, but I couldn't find it on the Marlin website. I just assumed that it was an old model. I told him today that I will be getting it though. Thanks for the input, it should be a good rifle...

[PowerG]

Mine is an 1895SS, blued last time I checked. That was the older model designation.

[ArmedBear]

Ah. Interesting.

I've seen S added on to mean "safety", but not SS. My mistake.

[wanderinwalker]

Then my apologies gentlemen!

Does the SS have Microgroove or Ballard-cut rifling?

[ArmedBear]

Wait...

I'm sure it's not Side Safety.

The 1895S was the 1895 "Short" changed to "G" for Guide. 1895Short/Safety, like 39AS was 39A/Safety.

Do any .45-70s have microgroove?

[PowerG]

Mine has Micro-Groove rifling, 22" barrel, pistol grip stock. I believe (not 100% sure) that the later ones had the Ballard rifling. I bought it new, I'm gonna say 2000 or 2001, paid around $450+ tax for it. Good rifle. I knocked the rear sight blade off not long after I got it through my own stupidity, the local gun shop just happened to have one, that's the only drama I've ever had with it.

[PowerG]

Well my son just walked through and says the SS has Ballard rifling. I'll have to go look LOL. The older ones (70's) do have Micro-Groove but I'm not sure about mine now.

[Jimfern]

As long as it functions and isn't rusted, I would say it's a steal.