Anyone have a .45-70 Marlin Cowboy?

[Big Boomer]

Seeing that we can't dredge up old threads anymore, I'll start my own...

So those of you asking me to use the "search" button, I've already read all the old posts thank you, go away, and don't bother me.

While visiting the local Sportsman's Warehouse, I had been noticing one of the 1895ss and started talking with the guy behind the counter and he says to me you should really check out the cowboy. I thought it looked to big and heavy, but turns out that with 9rd capacity to boot it actually feels lighter to me (even though specs put it at 1/2 lb heavier) and the action is MUCH smoother!

Is there something about the smoothness of blued vs stainless here? My other reasoning is that a stainless brush gun might get scratched up a bit too much.

I really like the look of the stainless though. It would be hard to tear away from that but there is just so much of a difference in the action.

In addition, those that shoot the Marlin's what are the upper limits of the threshold for loads? I know they are not as strong as the Ruger #1/#3 but are far stronger than the old trapdoor rifles of yesteryears.

For those that "hotrod" their marlins what performance can you expect to achieve from this platform?

 

[Seafarer12]

I don't like the cowboy that much because of the long barrel. I just use my guide gun for hunting and the long barrel would make it a pain. Having 9 shots isnt an advantage to me. I never load more than 3 in my gun at a time anyway and never need more than one. I run +p+ loads through mine. I haven't started reloading 45-70 yet but when I run out of ammo I will. The stuff just costs too much. Even the crappy Remington green box is almost 1.50 a shot. You should be getting a 350 grain into the 2000 fps range with the +p+ loads. A longer barrel would get you a little more speed but not a whole lot.

 

[Big Boomer]

I see you live in Austin? We should go shoot sometime!

 

[stolivar]

Load it up with

Marlin loads. they are listed in every reloading manual out there. You are about to the bottom end of 458 mag loading starting point.


steve

 

[Big Boomer]

Well Marlin doesn't make a 458 mag in a lever action, or I think I would opt for one of those! Ouch! I mean oh yeah hehe!

Never shot a 458 though, much less a hot 45-70 so I am looking forward to be punished. In other worlds they call it S&M, here we call it recoil junkies

 

[dmftoy1]

I've got one and love it. I thought it would be "heavy" compared to my buddies Guide Gun, but I don't even notice it. I tend to shoot 405 grain cast lead bullets the most but I've put a few of the heavies through it. It kicks pretty good with the hot loads, but with the Cowboy level loads it's really soft shooting and the accuracy is very good.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[Seafarer12]

I see you live in Austin? We should go shoot sometime!

I just moved here at the begining of the year. Are there any good places to shoot? I still run up to Waco now and then to the inlaws and shoot up there.