45-70

[LubeckTech]

Sometime in the late fall/early winter I am going to purchase a 45-70 but want to stay under $500. That pretty much limits me to the Marlin 1895 and I was wondering how accurate they are. Can anyone give me any input on the H&R handi rifle or buffalo classic? How dose any of these compare to single shot rifles in the $500 - $1k range?

 

[aka108]

No personal experience with H&R Handi-rifle but have seen a few at the ranges and the owners really like them. We gave a H&R Handi 45-70 away as a door prize at the Elko FNRA banquet last week. Appeared to be good quality for the price. If I had interest in that caliber it would be the first piece I'd buy.

 

[eldon519]

I've got a 1895 Guide Gun, and I'd say it's plenty accurate for most purposes. Very accurate for a lever gun. I've shot some 2 MOA groups with it using iron sights, so I can't argue with that. If you are wanting to do long range, 1000 yard shooting, it may not be your best bet, but for general hunting, it is easily accurate enough to handle just about any shot within the .45-70's practical range. Afterall, it's not a particularly flat trajectory.

 

[gp911]

Handi-Rifle is nice if you like to tinker with your guns. They are easy to tinker with (come apart with one screw), and the buffalo classic has the added coolness that allows for things like lace-up leather recoil pads and long-range old-timey sights.

They're light though, so they kick pretty hard.

The Marlin is overall more nicely turned out, and has a little more heft to it.

I want 1 of each...

The Handi has the extra bonus of the barrel accessory program. You can send in your receiver and about a month later (currently, it varies) you get it back with extra barrels in other calibers including shotguns and blackpowder.


gp911

 

[tbtrout]

If it is single shot you want, I have an Encore. They are top notch and you can buy other barrels without having to send it to the factory for fitting.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I've fired 3 different 1895 Guide Guns, an H&R Buffalo Rifle and an Encore Katahdin, all in .45-70. Of the bunch, the best balanced seems to be the Marlin, especially if you are looking for a hunting rifle. The Encore is my personal rifle (also with a .50-cal muzzleloader barrel), but with its 20" barrel and ~6 pound weight, it seems to kick harder than the Marlin.

Overall, if you just want one and only one, get the Marlin and don't look back. If you want one to tinker and twist and contort and change, well, that's where the single-shots shine.

 

[The Goose]

I have an H&R Buffalo Rifle and I love it. It is very strong and accurate and the trigger is quite good. The Marlin is undoubtedly a much better hunting rifle, but for just plain old fun shooting the H&R is great. Highly recommended.