I want a 45-70 lever action... Marlin or Winchester???

Well, the thread started 5 years ago (almost to the day) but I prefer Marlin.

 

I have a standard Marlin 1895 and it is a great gun. The action is as smooth as can be right out of the box and it will put Rem 300 GR HP, over 49 gr Re#7 in a ragged hole at 50 yards. I'll drop this load to trapdoor level before next deer season as the damage the faster load does to a deer is way too much.

RJ

 

Sure you can, for several thousand dollars!
Even one of the Browning or Winchester repro's they made a few years ago will set you back a couple grand at least.

That's three or four Marlins, or more!


rcmodel

 

Actually, you can find Browning/Winchester (Miroku) 1886 repos for well under a grand. I bought a new "Extra-Lightweight" last year for less than $800.00 (from a dealer in S.D. I like this rifle a lot and I don't think the Marlin has a significantly (if any) stronger action. I guess I'm the Lone Ranger with this opinion but I stand by it.

 

I'll throw in with the Marlin 1895. I like 1886 Winchesters to, but not fond of the repro version.

 

Jap lever gun? That ain't right.

I used to have a Miroku Browning trap gun. It was built well enough. But a lever gun?

My growing list of Marlin lever guns have been instant favorites, though. Something about them...

 

Have to go with Marlin on this one! But I already have 2, one in .30-30 and one in .44 Mag! Next up is the 1895G 18.5 inch barrel in .45-70!

Grunt Out!

 

my dad bought a marlin guided gun and it is awsome i shoot it more than he does

 

If you wan't or care about authentic styling go 1886. Japanese Brownings and Winchesters are around, bought a used Browning last year used for $800.

Winchesters run around $1200 new, friend has a 1886 take down 45-90 that is a great gun and a blast to shoot long range with iron sights...

If you just want a lever 45-70 get a Marlin.

 

I have three variations of the Marlin 1895
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1219065

I like the Cowboy the best. I'd like it even better if it had a shorter barrel. I've hunted the most with the Guide Gun. VERY handy. It took its first Black bear in 2007. The 45-70 is a wonderful hunting cartridge.

All are very accurate. Here are some 50 yard target pictures:

http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1206746
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1239550

 

I've had 2 Marlin guide guns. Found both the be excellent firearms. My 45-70 was a micro groove barrel and it proved to be very accurate. I gave it to my brother-in-law for his birthday one year. My second is chambered in the 450 Marlin cartridge and it is awesome. 405 gr. at about 2100 fps. It hits like a freight train, looks like a toy
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4828/marlinm950009to9.jpg

 

I have a 1972 vintage 1895 and like it a lot. It is accurate has good weight and balance. I also have a Winchester/Miroku 1886 ELW. Makes no difference to me that it's made in Japan. It's very well made and the action design and modern metalurgy make it very strong.

 

Get the Marlin for the 45-70.

Then get the Browning remake of the Mod. 71!

Two Big Bore Lever guns is better than one any day!

The 45-70 loaded hot is good for big animals and such. When you want to varmit hunt you can use the small bore .348 and shoot em with the 200 gr bullet around 2500fps.

I have both and frankly love either one in the woods. Both have serious wompability.
The Marlin takes the Leupold 1.5x5 scope and the Browning has Williams Fool Proof peeps.

I have taken deer with both and if they dont fall on the spot, they woble for 20yds or so and then fall over.

The reason I bring up the .348 idea is so the wife unit has an easier time of understanding why you need another big bore lever gun! Different caliber of couse! Honey. Bigger is better, right baby?

What ever you choose, you will have fun.

Big Bores Roar!

 

"I bought a Marlin 1895CB in .45 LC and I like ity [sic] a lot. I bought it over the Winchester becasue [sic]the quality is much better"

____________________________________________________

Out of curiosity, what do you base that opinion on?

Here's my EL - it has a shotgun buttplate, not a crescent style, and I use a Galco removable recoil pad:




For the original poster - you might have posted at leverguns.com already, but if not you could go there and search (please) for their opinions also.

 

The newer Marlins have ballard rifling, however the older Micro-Groove barrels shoot cast bullets extremely well as long as you use .431-.432 diameter bullets, and push them hard. They are also easier to mount scopes on. My 1971 Marlin in 444 Marlin shoots MOA at 100 Yards with factory Hornadys! The newer Guide guns are not ported, BTW. You might try www.Marlinowners.com for info on Marlins.

 

What is the going price for a 1895 SS? Thanks.

 

cowboy

The marlin is as good as you can get, I have a 1895 cowboy with a 26in octagon barrel, I love it, It is slow but pwerful. The buffalo hunters used 45/70 and they didnt shoot close up, there has been recorded kills up to 700 yrds, They have shot up to 1200 in competitons, for most part most people will hunt within 300yrds, A person really needs to know their windage and elevation no matter what gun they shoot. Yes the 45/70 drops bad, but if you know your gun , know windage and elevation then dont be scared to shoot long distances. Think about it, the army used them the buffalo hunters, and big game hunters in africa...Why, because it is an effective gun with a hell of a lot of punch. Even military snipers need to know their windage and elevation. So dont be scared to experim,ent with the 45/70, study the ballistics, find a good grain and brand of bullet and practice, I shoot shotguns a lot and everyone said for years a slug was a fifty yrd gun, My dad killed a buck at 120 yrds with a remington 870 , 30 in barrel using a rifled slug. He didnt realize the shot was that far but it was . I have been shooting shotguns all my life and I have never been scared to shoot a deer at a hundred yrds. In fact a slug will not drop at 100 yrd s as they say they will, now people are buying rifled slug guns and scopes and saying they can shoot up to 200 yrds. Its all about knowing your gun and learning to shoot it. As far as the checkering on the marlins, i like it but when I bought mine, i got one without it , I am a traditional shooter and wanted something that looked original, I am searching for a load that i like above all right now nad havent decided whether to use blackpowder or modern, I will buy a handloader this spring and experiment for myself.

 

* Marlin *

 

I just ordered a Marlin 1895 with the 22" barrel. I have wanted one for a long time I just never made the jump. I should have it in about a week.

 

I have both and after reading and researching over at Leverguns.com, they both are very good rifles. If you want to mount a scope, the Marlin is easier, but the modern Browning/Winchester '86 is a stronger action by design.

Here is a link to an article written by Paco Kelly, who is very much an expert on most everything lever action:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/4570_leverguns.htm

Enjoy reading and please join that forum. Great group of guys that shoot lever guns and SA/DA revolvers in classic calibers!!!

 

I have never been a fan of marlin lever guns... I guess its because Im spoiled from my Henry's.... too bad they dont chamber 45-70 in any of their guns though!

 

Marlin, mainly the later models 1895. My 45/70 will group 1" at 100 yards with a scope . Although I really like the 1886 Winchesters too.

 

And now for something completely different ...

http://www.nrvoutdoors.com/GIBBS/GIBBS SUMMIT.htm