Inexpensive Reliable .45-70 Breech Loader?

[Googleplex]

Okay, so I've been posting some erant stuff lately. Most of it for personal research. Now I'm asking about something I may purchase. Maybe. Does anybody know of any good .45-70 breech loaders (preferably not break-open) for under $600?

 

[56hawk]

I would suggest looking for a used Ruger #1. I have a 458 Lott I picked up for $650. It's super accurate and really well built.

 

[Googleplex]

I've thought about that. I'd something on a more historic design, but you can't use higher pre3ssure rounds in anything else. I've seen a #3. Another thing I'm interested in Is a Chaparral Arms 1876 in .45-60. I've seen a bunch on GB, all for the same price. I'm a little wary of that. How much do they normally cost and are they any good?

 

[Dmitri Popov]

H&R Handi-Rifle or Buffalo Classic.

 

[Googleplex]

Preferably not break open. Not that I have anything against them, but I just don't like the look of the Buff Classic and I don't want another handi-rifle. One is enough.

 

[Dmitri Popov]

Well if you don't want another Handi, you could only spend $100 and get a new barrel for your existing rifle. But hey I'm broke and look for the cheapest way.

 

[Googleplex]

I'm not really interested in that route either. I don't feel comfortable with sending it in to the factory. Too much risk for my taste, and the handi isn't exactly my favorite setup. It's just fine in 7mm-08, but a large caliber would just make the less than desirable pistol grip highly uncomfortable. I appreciate the input, though.

 

[Pete D.]

$

The Gibbs Firearm Co., at one time, offered Lee Enfield #5 Jungle Carbines that had been converted to 45-70. You might find one on Gunbroker....but it won't be cheap.
Maybe a Marlin 1895 lever gun? Does that qualify as inexpensive? Historic enough?

You prefer it were not a Handi-Rifle (but that is the best choice for inexpensive and powerful) and yet all the other guns are considerably more costly.
Pete

 

[Robtattoo]

If you can find one (they show up every now & then on Gunbroker) I can HIGHLY recommend a Uberti 1885 High Wall.
I paid $700 for mine, brand new (+ transfer) & it's one of the nicest longarms I've ever shot.

 

[.45Guy]

One of the Navy Arms Siamese Mauser conversions would fit the bill.

 

[Googleplex]

I'm looking for $700 and under. I have found a rolling block at the top of my price range. The high wall Robtattoo recomended would be viable. As for mausers, I don't know. I find the idea of the mauser action in .45-70 interesting, as well as the enfield, but I'm not in the market for a bolt action. I'm not a Marlin fan, but the 1895 keeps drawing my attention for some reason. The older ones are probably great, but new Marlins are going downhill. I'm interested but cautious at the same time. I like the merits of a good brush gun, but I would like to able to use spitzer load for it for long range shooting. The Ruger #3 can use any .45-70 load on the market, and the carbine version looks very practical. And I found them well inside my price range. I like the rolling block, too, and it is the style of RB that I like. Maybe I should use the opportunity to buy that, but I don't know. The #3 tops in practicality. At this point, it's between the #3 and the RB, with other options acknowledged as worthy of consideration.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Probably not what you're looking for, but I found this nice Trapdoor for just under $700 last year. 45-70, made in 1883.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have a Marlin 1895 in 45 70. Great rifle and capable of up to the #2 level loads. You shop around and you can pick them up for 400 to 500 all day. Total classic, historical platform, looks great and really can be dressed up nice.

You may love having a rifle that will kick the Hades out of you but I don't. You start running high end Ruger class loads out of a #3 and you will be in for the kick of your life. Easy to get 60+ pounds of recoil out of that small rifle. A 150 grain hunting round out of a 30 06 that weighs about 9 pounds generates about 29 pounds of recoil for comparison.

I love Rugers and have a #1 but not in 45 70. I also traded a #3 in 45 70 straight across for a #3 in .223. Even medium loads in the #3 were totally unpleasant.

I put a Limbsaver on my Marlin. My heaviest load is 49 grains of Varget under a dead soft 405 grain lead bullet. Close to 1500 fps. One day I will take it hunting. That round will pass through absolutely anything in North America.

I have loaded up the traditional 70 grains of black powder under a 405 grain bullet too. That is the classic round that killed all the buffalo.

 

[Googleplex]

Probably not what you're looking for, but I found this nice Trapdoor for just under $700 last year. 45-70, made in 1883.

Nice. I love trapdoors, but I don't want to be limited to ultra light loads. I would like to be able to use #2 loads. Top end loads I can live without, though.

Coltdriver, you have a point. I don't want something that will beat me to a bloody pulp and steal my lunch money. Those Marlins are intriguing. I keep hearing somethings about them. How well do they shoot?

 

[Weedy]

A 150 grain hunting round out of a 30 06 that weighs about 9 pounds generates about 29 pounds of recoil for comparison.

Chuck Hawks says 17.6 pounds of recoil from that load out of an 8 pound rifle but anyway...I would go for the 1895 as well, they shoot great, although I'm not a big fan of the factory sights. There are many options to fix that though.

 

[snakeman]

Ok here's the thing. I would suggest the h&r or nef that everybody raves about, but mine was JUNK. The thing would only go bang if you YANKED on the trigger. I took it back to the store and grabbed the next one of the rack and it was the same way. This was their "ultra hunter." Go for something better like a Rossi, yeah I said it! I would prefer a uberti high wall or rolling block myself but that's completely up to you.

 

[Googleplex]

I don't know much about the Rossi other than it's based on a 92 Winchester. The 92 is way too weak for a .45-70, so I kinda wonder how they managed it. How does it shoot and handle? So far the Marlin seems to be a good bet.

 

[snakeman]

I was talking about the single shot. But their 454 leverguns work great and shoot great I will be getting one soon. Their 45/70 is based on the marlin.

 

[788Ham]

A friend of mine has the Marlin 1895 in .45-70, the Guide Rifle. It shoots good, yes, it shoots hard too, but whatever it hits, its going down! If you're looking for a good firearm in this caliber, plus made to handle the cartridge, get the Marlin! This same friend has a Pedrisoli {Sp} Ballard in .45-70 also, now that sucker plain knocks the snot out of you!

 

[Googleplex]

If it's the break open rossi, then count me out. It just looks a little funky to me. As for their levergun, I don't know. I've heard mixed things about them.

 

[dprice3844444]

google,i have a new model 1895 ss 16.5 bbl 45/70 marlin.feeds great.check out the ruger also.

 

[Googleplex]

The Decision With More Flip-Flops Than the Primaries Comes to a Head- Maybe.

I hear the guide rifle is very popular. Personally, I like the 22 inch barrel. I'm starting to lean that way. Definitely the least expensive option.

Good feeding is a major plus. I've heard that newer 336 rifles were having feed trouble, but it seems everywhere I turn my ears and eyes the 1895 is having songs sung about it. With so many positive reviews, there must be something right about the 1895.

I think I may just go that route.

 

[pikid89]

id go with the Ruger No.1
I have one in .270 that is awesome

just keep in the back of you mind, should you ever decide you want to try out some nuclear .45-70 loads, only the Ruger can do it, and the No. 1 is heavy enough that it may not hurt too bad lol

 

[StrawHat]

Googleplex Quote:
Probably not what you're looking for, but I found this nice Trapdoor for just under $700 last year. 45-70, made in 1883.

Nice. I love trapdoors, but I don't want to be limited to ultra light loads.

I have used Trapdoors and many other 45-70s. I have come to prefer the original ballistics of the cartridge. Complete penetration from any angle and mild recoil, what's not to love. If the trapdoor is not for you, keep looking for a Rolling Block or Sharps, but be ready to buy when you find it in your $ Range, it won't last long.

 

[Googleplex]

I have used Trapdoors and many other 45-70s. I have come to prefer the original ballistics of the cartridge. Complete penetration from any angle and mild recoil, what's not to love. If the trapdoor is not for you, keep looking for a Rolling Block or Sharps, but be ready to buy when you find it in your $ Range, it won't last long.

Basically what I'm looking for is rifle that with the mildest loads is *adequate* (as in will take them cleanly every time with a correctly placed round- yeah, I know. That's every rifle on the planet, but if I shoot for the heart and lungs, I don't wanna bore a hole straight through and do no terminal damage, as some faster big-bore rounds and some smaller rounds will do) for deer. The slow moving projectile of the .45-70 oughta be perfectly capable of transfering energy and not proving to be too much to be effective. Also less trauma means less meat damage. Also where I'm at in Texas there are tons of exotics. And plenty of huge ones too. How would a trap-door safe load fair against, say, water buffalo? I'm doing a terrible of wording what I mean, I know, but basically what I'm looking for is a good general purpose large bore.