45/70 or 30/30 in a 16 inch barrel

[ExAgoradzo]

Count me a ‘double-like’ Varminterror’s post...

Greg

 

[Riomouse911]

I also have both the Winchester Model 94 in .30-30, (circa 1971 Model). And the Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70. And as far as I'm concerned, the .45-70 is easier to shoot. For one the .30-30 has a much sharper recoil in the light Model 94 carbine. Where as the .45-70 is more of a, "big push". Even with 405 grain bullets. Factory 170 Gr. loads in the Model 94 in .30-30 give a good, hard smack.

Yes, my Guide Gun in .45-70 is one of the older models that is ported. But I've fired non ported models as well. And the recoil is not much worse. If anything the non ported Guide Guns are a bit more comfortable to shoot, because the noise level is much less. Which is one of the reasons Marlin stopped porting them. Most hunters don't wear ear protection.

Mine is also an early ported model with the brick on the butt masquerading as a recoil pad. The 26” CB is a lot heavier, but the plastic buttplate doesn’t offer much love when firing the big boomers.

.30-30 recoil can be sharp, but it’s still much less than high-horsepower .45/70 loads. Cupcake and moderate loads are a breeze in the .45/70, as the others have said.

This is a good dilemma to have.., I could complicate it a touch by also suggesting a 336 in .35 Remington as an alternative... the 16” barrel may have to be a custom job if you can’t find a rare used short-barreled Marlin, but the round is a great one for your purposes, too. My 336 .35R is very accurate, shooting 100 Yd 3-shot cloverleafs with Rem 200 gr CoreLokt RN and even (When single-loaded) the old Rem 150 gr PSP.

Stay safe.

 

[Paul R Zartman]

30/30...

 

[0ne3]

Which ever one you choose you may want to put a tang sight on it, if you are not going to put a scope on it. At 71 my eyes are not what they once were for open sights. I thought long and hard about putting a tang sight on my lever gun. I did it. Best thing I have done for a long time. i was amased at the differnce it made.

 

[Charlie98]

I don't know that I would put a tang sight on a hunting firearm, but a receiver peep is good advise. Like One3, I can't use the factory open sights any longer (and expect a hit!) but boy howdy! I can shoot a peep... so all my guns have peeps on them...



L to R...

Marlin 1895, Browning 71 (now... THERE's a piggy poker!) Marlin 1894, Savage 99, Marlin 336, and even my lowly Marlin model 15.

 

[Huntolive]

4570 Governor it's a hell of a lot more fun
And we'll take your pigs out before they breathe again.

Barrel length 16in won't make a big difference

I have to disagree about recoil in 4570 governor
To me it feels like shooting 3 inch 12 gauge turkey shot.
It's a nice thump of recoil but not bad.
Definitely very noticeable but more of a thump than sharp and nasty.

 

[Huntolive]

I strongly recommend you get the 4570 1895sbl that thing is a beast!

 

[d2wing]

30-30, shoots a little flatter, less recoil and is plenty powerful.

 

[792mauser]

My vote goes to a 24" bbl 45-70 Marlin 1895CB.
Tang sights.

Makes ringing the 200 yard steel a breeze with an aloxed 410gr lead pumpkin over 13gr of trail boss. Easy to load and cheap to shoot and easy on the shoulder.

The Marlin will take a gnat sneeze load through a T-rex droppers that I definitely don't touch off using the tang sight (I like my eyeballs)

 

[Charlie98]

T-rex droppers that I definitely don't touch off using the tang sight (I like my eyeballs)

...or your upper lip. Just saying. That .45-120 loaded with black had no remorse...

 

[792mauser]

I hear ya.
My martini-henry carbine has only been fired with a full rifle load EXACTLY TWICE.
The first time I thought it'd be like my trapdoor carbine, unpleasant but manageable. Nope! Dang thing rang my bell hard!

The second time was just to make sure I hadn't lost my mind, it couldn't have been that bad. Oh God, it was.

The 450/577 carbine is proof the devil's real and is whispering into gunmakers ears.

 

[Weflyfast]

I own both....its apples to watermelons....
The 45-70 will do everything the 30-30 will....plus it allows for much more close in horsepower....

 

[Armorer 101]

I own a farm in N FL so I do have some experience with wild hogs. If they do not know you are there almost anything will kill them. However with their dander up, a hog can be hard to anchor. Their nervous system can be very slow to react when wound up. A hog is also one of the few animals that will come after you and not run away. If you think you are going to sneak up on a hog through the brush, better get another plan, they can smell a corn hog bait for 3-5 miles and they can hear quite well. I own a 45-70 M-98 Mauser for a reason.

 

[army_eod]

 

[Bfh_auto]

I vote 30-30 using 170s. Generally heavier bullets lose less velocity in shorter barrels
I'm a new convert to using the Williams fool proof. It's faster than a scope up close.
45-70 fans like to break about the power it has. But when recoil comes up, they talk about the recoil of lower level loads that are fun to shoot.
I've shot hot loads and they aren't fun in a Marlin.

 

[Huntolive]

1895 SBL 45 70 Super Fun

 

[eastbank]

i have six rifles and a 16" contender barrel in 45-70. 300 gr hornady bullet at 1900 fpl in a strong rifle is a killer to 200 yards and is easy if you know your rifle. they do kick, as you can see the 45-70 lets the blood out on both sides(ruger #3). and when shooting at game i never felt it and i have used magnums in africa. i have quite a few lever actions with 5-6 in 30-30, but hardly ever hunt with them.

 

[GooseGestapo]

My elegant solution is I have multiples of both!
I have a M1895GG and a recent REMLIN M1895; as well as two Winchester M94’s, and a Glenfield/Marlin M30A in .30/30.

Used .30/30’s are plentiful at pawn shops after hunting season ends. I suggest getting a clean used .30/30 and the new “tacti-cool” .45-70 as it will have better future value.

Nobody plays golf with just one club! (Except putt- putt).

EastBank; that’s wonderful that you take your grandfather hunting with you! He must be pushing 90! Do you let him carry a gun?

 

[eastbank]

he,s long gone(1978) but he was one of the ones who started me on the life long sickness.