45/70 Options Other Than Marlin?

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JeffDilla

JeffDilla

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I'm seriously looking at a 45/70 for various reasons; hunting, the history of the cartridge, and, well, just to have one. I really like the Marlin 1895, but continuously hear about all the issues with the new models since Marlin was taken over by Remington's parent company. As much as I'd like one, I'm really turned off by the bad reviews. I've looked for quite a while for a used, older model Marlin, but so far have come up empty handed in my area.

So, my question is, what are some other options for the 45/70 cartridge? I'd prefer a shorter barreled (18.5-22") lever gun. A friend has a Ruger Number 1 chambered in 45/70 and it's a beautiful gun, but those are out of my price range.

What other makes and models am I overlooking? All replies are appreciated, so thanks in advance.

Also, I know there are other threads regarding the 45/70, but the search function didn't reveal anything that gave me any insight.
 
Also, does anyone know if the Marlin XLRs have the same issues as the the others?
 
I'm sure others will have better advise, but here are some I can think of off hand. Winchester Model 1886 in 45-70 a used original or there are current production Winchester Model 1886 coming out of Japan. Browning also had some Model 1886's made in the late 1990's and early 2000's from Japan. Early versions with out tang safety, newer ones with tang safety. Pedistole out of Italy has a new Model 71/1886 in 45-70 for about $1600.00 The Marlin 1895's with the JM stamped on the barrel near the receiver will not have any of the Remington related problems. For Marlin 1895's look for 2009 and older versions. However, it seems like Remington has been getting there act together and I've seen some better looking 1895's lately. I have not shot any Remington made 1895's. I do own and shoot a Marlin 1895 Cowboy in 45-70 and a Winchester 1886 in 45-70. Hope this is helpful, ignore my spelling errors.

DMH
 
I have both an h&r single shot and a Marlin XLR. Both are very capable and accurate. There are other options. Rossi is making a .45-70 that I've handled but not shot, but its everything the guide gun is and a bit more in my opinion. You could also roll your own by making an Enfield or Mosin Nagant into a .45-70. I'll be doing a Mosin sometime next year. There are still some Gibbs conversions floating around as well. The one I handled looked pretty. Not sure about accuracy. There is also this http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/60304 which looks like a lot of fun. What do you want to do with it? That may narrow down your choices.
 
options

Jeff:

I have a new unfired Marlin 45-70 in an 24" FULL Octagon barrel (not the less desirable part round one) that I bought from Matt Fugute of Fugate firearms a few years ago. It is a LTD model. Very rare. It cost me $995.00 plus shipping and FFL transfer. He had it listed for $1299.00 for a long time and I bought it when he dropped the price. You can wait for the rest of your natural life and will probably not get another crack at another one. Make me an offer in a PM, not in a post. It will be an FFL to FFL transfer if you want it.

If you are totally anti Marlin you might try a Siamese Mauser. There were a few gunsmiths converting them to 45-70 a few years ago and every once in a while one shows up on gunbroker. They tend to be on the heavy side but shoulder well, but beware, they have the reputation of often the last round will not chambering from those guns.

Best of luck in your search.
 
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Thanks for the replies.

I'll be using it for hunting, predominantly a brush/woods gun, so I'd prefer something with a shorter barrel. That's why I'm attracted to the Guide gun, or even the regular 1895 with 22" barrel.

I've looked at the Winchester 1886 and even the Browning BLR in 450 Marlin, but those are more than I'm hoping to spend.

I tend to not listen to a lot of internet hearsay when researching a gun, but the overwhelming negative experiences and feedback with the "Remlins" are leaving me very cautious about a new Marlin.
 
short barrel 45-70

My advice would be to avoid a guide gun unless you are planning on shooting the 1300 FPS 400 grain stuff from Remington. Way too much recoil.
 
What price range are you looking at? There are a lot of good used rifles out there. You might even want to look at some 458 Win Mag or 458 Lott rifles. You can always download them to 45-70 levels. I picked up a Ruger #1 in 458 Lott for $650.
 
My price range is probably $600-700, but, as usual, there's probably some wiggle room there. A friend to me the Cabelas here in Maine has a nice Ruger #1 but they're asking $850 for it.
 
Jeff look at some used Marlins and make sure to find one with "JM" stamped on the left side of the barrel near the receiver. Look at the serial numbers and take the first two digits and subtract that number from 100 to get the year of manufacture. to be safe I'd say 2007 or older, however I do have a 2009 1895cb that is still a "JM" stamped barrel and still considered a Marlin.

DMH
 
You might want to look at an H&R single shot.

Twenty two inches, and they will usually surprise you with their accuracy.

The first load I put through mine was a 500 grain bullet at about 1200 fps that put three shots into an inch and an eigth at 100 yards. This is from the bench. Further testing showed that that was no fluke. When I can do it (certainly not all the time!) the rifle will.

They have no pizazzz, and are looked down on by many. But they can really perform and if you're a results kinda guy like I am, they can make you happy.

Plus, since they are so cheap, if you don't like it you're not out much.


Cat
 
+1 on the H&R, I have an older guide gun and the H&R and they're equal in accuracy if not the edge to the handy rifle, and I don't know the going rate but I got mine new In box for under 200
 
I have a new unfired Marlin 45-70 in an 24" FULL Octagon barrel (not the less desirable part round one) that I bought from Matt Fugute of Fugate firearms a few years ago. It is a LTD model. Very rare. It cost me $995.00 plus shipping and FFL transfer. He had it listed for $1299.00 for a long time and I bought it when he dropped the price. You can wait for the rest of your natural life and will probably not get another crack at another one. Make me an offer in a PM, not in a post. It will be an FFL to FFL transfer if you want it.
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I passed on them not two years ago at $700. No way I'd pay $1000 or more for one now when you can get a better rifle in a new 1886 for the same price.
 
+2 on the H&R. A H&R would be a good entry level investment into 45-70. I believe they made one with like a 32" barrel that would get you into some long range shooting.
 
I do not have any experience with the H&R single shot .45-70 rifles, but for the price if you do not want a "new" Marlin than I say go for it >(Personally I have yet to have an issue with my NIB Marlin guide gun, it has done just fine). Any other suggestions other than finding a used one in good condition and being patient for it would put you out of your price range over $1k that includes A. Uberti rifles from Italy, and I also believe Winchester 1885's.
Good luck.
 
I have no interest in the 45-70 or similar rounds.

I see them as "Low hit, high kick."

For woods use I favored my .358 Winchesters and for open land the 30-06 thru the smaller magnums.
 
I have no interest in the 45-70 or similar rounds.

I see them as "Low hit, high kick."

For woods use I favored my .358 Winchesters and for open land the 30-06 thru the smaller magnums.
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Okay...:uhoh:
I guess it's proven history of taking down big game was just imaginary then?
Cape Buffalo, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, Moose, Elk, pretty sure it might take down "Big Foot" as well. "The .45-70 Gov't and its history"> as the original OP said they were interested in. Pretty sure although I am not positive the .58 Winchester does not have that kind of historical significance. The other mentioned .30-'06 Spfld. I know has a wonderful history but comparing a .45-70 Gov't vs. a .30-'06 Spfld. both totally different animals in their respected fields. (You might have opened up some off topic A's vs. B's with that comment.)
 
what about a ruger #3 in 45-70? i got one off the net for 400.00 plus shipping in ex condition last year on a buy it now,eastbank.
 
Savage99 said:
I have no interest in the 45-70 or similar rounds.

I see them as "Low hit, high kick."

For woods use I favored my .358 Winchesters and for open land the 30-06 thru the smaller magnums.
Click to expand...
I think it all depends on your training.

I decided this some 15-20 years ago when I watched a group of big burly men whining and moaning about the recoil of their 45-70s at a SASS Long Range match and then a little 12 year old girl with the handle of "Sedona Sue" came to the line with her father's 45-90 and proceeded to be able to handle that rifle better than most (and as well as any of the rest) of the men standing there.

The simple truth is that I consider the Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun to be about the handiest "all purpose" rifle I own. It wears a Williams "gallows" type aperture sight and is a tack driver out to 175 yards. Which is "ample" for any purpose I have.

In my 70 years, I've never seen a better "woods" rifle than a short 45-70.

If I get "invaded" by an errant horde of al quida charging across my high desert ranch, I'll grab my M1A for distance and speed of reloading.

Until then, I'd be hard pressed to find a better all purpose rifle than a short lever gun in any caliber.

Your Mileage Obviously Varies and that's why we're "here". The polite exchange of opinion is the sole purpose of any forum.
 
I have no interest in the 45-70 or similar rounds.

I see them as "Low hit, high kick."

For woods use I favored my .358 Winchesters and for open land the 30-06 thru the smaller magnums.
Click to expand...

Well here's the crazy thing, I do have an interest in the 45/70, so I want to buy one. I don't only want one for woods hunting, I'm interested in the history and tradition of the caliber, and they just seem like an interesting gun. I have a variety of rifles in my collection that I hunt with and enjoy shooting. I just simply want to add another to my collection.
 
I recently inherited my dads old Ruger #3 in 45/70. I used to hate the thing when I was younger, and with heavy loads, it was (still is actually :)) brutal to shoot with its "Mini 14" stock. I was about to get rid of it, and decided to try some softer "lead" loads, and Im glad I did.

With a 300 grain bullet over 14 grains of Trail Boss, its a pussy cat, and a lot of fun to shoot, and accurate to boot.
 
I'll tell you Jeff, one advantage that the H&R has is you can load (if you reload) bullets out much longer that the action of the Marlin will allow.

It's a wonderful caliber. Roung balls at 145 grains to huge. I've a Lyman mould that drops a 560 grainer. I've three barrels for mine, a 16.5, a 22 and a 32 incher.

I've used from fast pistol powders like Unique to slow rifle powders such as 4831. Very versitle. Very accurate. And as powerful as your shoulder will take! :)


Cat
 
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