Marlin 45-70

[ExAgoradzo]

After some thought and various encouragements known and unknown by you on THR, I have finally decided on the Marlin 45-70 (unless I found a 450 or 444 at a real good price and it just 'landed' in my hands, but I don't have to explain that to you guys... ).

But now the question is which one do I get?

The Guide gun with the short barrel is perfect for loading in the trailer, can get it in SS.
The 1895 cowboy is great looking, holds 9 rounds in the mag!

Not particularly interested in cowboy shooting, but I guess that could be a plus in the 1895 favor. I like the look of it better, but could be persuaded that the other one is 'good enough'...

Like the short barrel for quick maneuvering in a trailer in case I need to remove a bear or other predatory varmint from my campsite.

1. Will the shorter barrel be significantly worse in this gauge when it comes time to actually hunt with it (in terms of range mostly, not worried about the power of the cartridge)?
2. Will the shorter and 1/2 lb lighter gun make the recoil noticeably stiffer?
3. Give me your opinion on which looks better (I can't figure out how to post the pics off Marlin...sorry).

Thanks.

 

[DPris]

Either will work well for hunting, within the caliber's practical hunting limitations to about 150 yards with a point blank zero. (Yes, I know it'll run farther, but not without sight adjustment & holdover.)
The heavier gun will not recoil as hard as the lighter gun, with the same ammunition.

Which looks better is entirely up to you.
Denis

 

[Bobson]

I was looking at an 1895 in .45-70 the other day. Looks like a great rifle. Just be wary of the Marlington thing... plenty of threads with info on it. Here's a very recent one: Click me.

 

[Craigman]

mine 1895SDT has a 16.25' barrel and with the williams firesights, shooting off sandbags, I can group "fist sized" at 100yards. Im sure it would be better with a scope. Super handy gun and plenty of power.

For the "cowboy" model.... ever held one? Heavy and huge. They're pretty sweet and i"m sure it'll crank em out pretty fast, but not so good in a trailer or lugging around all day. IMO

 

[lizziedog1]

The Guide gun with the short barrel is perfect for loading in the trailer,

Do you have game roaming around inside a trailer?

If you do decide to discharge a 45-70 inside one, make darn sure you have proper hearing protection on.

 

[Robert]

I use my 1895G, older model from before the merger with the ported barrel, for hunting in thick brush and it works like a charm. Recoil is very subjective. I use hand loads that push a 405gr hard cast lead bullet near 2000fps. It will thump a bit but I do not find it uncomfortable. My hunting partner thinks I have drain bramiage. He shot one. One. So it really depends on you level of tolerence. Factory loads are fairy light unless you get into Buffalo Bore or the like.

 

[Badlander]

My 1895 GS is Acurate,handy, and beautiful. Hits like A sledge hammer. What's not to like? If you buy A remington made Marlin watch out. Most of them I have looked at I would not buy. They can't even manage to get the sights on straight. God knows what is wrong inside!

 

[dprice3844444]

craigman,you got a davidson's special,me too 16.25 bbl. cheaperthandirt.com makes a nice over the shoulder scabbard for it

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/76636-1.html

 

[kenken]

I have the 1895 GBL and I got a good straight one. I really like this little gun alot. It shoots real good also.

kenken

 

[Hizzie]

I'm new to big bores. My 458WM is only 8.5lbs and has a hard rubber recoil pad that is rather unforgiving. I can tolerate 12 full house 510gr loads before I'm done. Proper shooting technique and a good recoil pad can make a world of difference.

To see the numbers find the particulars for the load you intend to shoot and plug them in here http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp and just play with rifle weight. The slightly reduced loads (405gr @ 2200fps, about 90%) represent a 14% drop in recoil velocity and a 26% drop in free recoil.

The shorter sight radius would more of a difference the longer the range got. Your application sound like it would be pretty close range. A low power optic, reflex sight or red dot would also improve accuracy potential.

My Whitworth is pretty but I love SS/Laminate guns. I almost bought a Sako Kodiak in 375H&H and keep eyeballing the Ruger 416 Alaskan.

 

[jeepnik]

The OP made one point. The Guide Gun is lighter. Now unless you are superman, at the end of a day carrying it over hill and dale, that 1/2 lb is going to feel more like 20.

You do loose a bit ballistically, but not enough to matter. If you don't hit a game animal properly, a couple hundred fps won't make any differenct.

 

[Coltdriver]

The bigger the bullet diameter wise, the less the effect of a shorter barrel. A .243 loses a lot compared to a .308 when you compare the velocity loss inch to inch.

The 45 70 does not suffer much at all from a shorter barrel. And if you got the nads to shoot over 2000 fps you are crazy anyway

I liked the looks of the cowboy version but the barrel makes it front heavy. The short version has major cool factor and makes a great anti bear weapon. I got the 22 inch blued version because I like the balance and wanted some weight.

I put a limbsaver butt pad on mine. Makes shooting the heaviest loads something I can do. My heaviest is a 405 soft lead bullet over 49 grains of Varget. Goes out the barrel right around 1450 fps.

Mine has a cartridge holder that I made. Also got a piece of fancy wood for the forearm and added a sling that I made. The scope sits on see thru mounts and is just a 1-4 20. Someday I will put a bigger loop lever on it and call it done.

If you get good at your holdover for a specific round you can really shoot a long distance, however, the arc is more like an artillery round so knowing how your round shoots is real important. There is a great article about a fellow shooting over a mile and consistently hitting a 6 foot square target.

The fun part for me is that the round can be anything from a plinker to a power house.

 

[451 Detonics]

My opinion for what it's worth. The weight differences between the longer barrels and shorter is ounces, not pounds so the weight doesn't make that big a difference to me. The longer barrel will give you a longer sight radius, especially if you add a receiver sight. It also allows you to take better advantage of the slower powders that work so well in big bore, giving velocity with slower recoil impulses. If you you plan on optics for this rifle the Marlin is the best choice, however if you plan on irons...as would be proper...then you might consider the Winchester as well.

I would go classic and find a pre-crossbolt safety Marlin 24 inch, half magazine. Add a receiver sight and you will have a rifle ready for just about anything.

Only reason I don't already own one is because I have a Browning 71 in 450 Alaskan set up in a very classic manner as well...



I will also add this is a wonderful cartridge to reload for and Trail Boss powder makes this round into a plinker you can enjoy shooting all day long.

 

[JustsayMo]

I've owned five 1895's including two guide guns and the Cowboy.

I hunted with the Guide Gun for a number of seasons. GREAT gun and very accurate.

Contrary to what has been stated, I find the Cowboy to be the best balanced and easiest to shoot in field positions.

You could compromise and find yourself a 1895 LTD III and have the best of both worlds, handiness of the guide gun and good looks of the Cowboy.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

What, you don't find game in your trailer??? What kind of hunter are you !
Thanks guys!
Can't find a LTD III out there. Fortunately, i don't need it tomorrow.
I love this forum.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Why not get the plain old 1895 (22" barrel)...best of both worlds.

 

[HM2PAC]

I really like the bigger loop of the GBL.

I hunt with a Marlin 444SS and that would make handling with gloves a lot easier in my estimation.

 

[Redlg155]

I've owned mine for some time now. I've been extremely happy with the rifle.
http://www.gunblast.com/KellyWatkins-Marlin1895.htm

The link above is a review I wrote a couple of years ago.

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

I like the older 1895SS with pistol grip stock. They just feel natural in my hands. Never did like straight stocks for some reason. If you do get a 45.70 you will never regret it. Don't let the words Cowboy fool you. They will shoot any load you want from CB action up to OMG that made the snot fly and my eyes water.

 

[Deputy25]

I have the 1895 with 22" barrel and a Lyman Alaskan 2X on it, and an 1895 Guide Gun. Like 'em both a lot. Which one I carry depends on where and how I'm hunting.

 

[GregC]

I have a "standard" 1895 with a 22" barrel. I really thought I wanted the 18" barrel, but really like the 22" barrel after owing this one.

Contrary to general thinking regarding recoil, the heavier 405 grain remington rounds are what I like the most, as opposed to lighter bullets. The recoil is noticeably less than with the 300 grain.

As for performance, this weekend, I killed two hogs with one shot at about 85 yards. The round passed clean through both hogs, and both weighed about 140 to 150 lbs. each. I have it set up with an XS Sights lever rail and a Leupold VX-R 1.25-4 scope. This gun is a "Hog Hammer!"

Hope this helps.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Push that 405 grain bullet at 1,900 fps and you'll see why folks say the 405's kick like the devil...its because they do.

Factory stuff (Rem) only gets "maybe" 1,200 fps...they advertise 1,330 fps, but I've chrono'd them and have never gotten that, and mine is a 22" barrel.

Not knocking your loads...just explaining why folks talk about the 405's kicking...trust me, the warm loads do!

 

[Dr.Rob]

The Guide Guns have a very thick factory recoil pad that helps tame some of the recoil. the foreend is also thicker so you can really get a good grip.

The cowboy and ltd models typically don't have ANY sort of pad. The forearms are usually skinny, some are smooth wood with no checkering for a positive grip.

This makes a huge difference. Also the long barreled cowboy version is very front heavy when fully loaded and unless you are hunting buffalo at distance a vernier sight is pretty useless. In close cover a Guide Gun is a light and handy powerful weapon, feels more like carrying a short barreled shotgun than a high powered rifle.

Skip the ported versions unless you find a screaming deal. They mostly make the rifle louder and burn the paint off your truck hood.

Hope the info helps.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Redlg
That was a great review. I for one am not going to put a scope on it. I would rather have a peep sight in the back with the brass in the front.

Someone help me understand the purpose of 'porting' the barrell? I'm ignorant on that...

I think I'm sold on the 'reg' 1895 or the guide gun; I am not going to cowboy comps, If I do I'll bring my 1894's and Blackhawks. 22" shouldn't be too long to wield and 18.5" doesn't sound to short to be effective.

Love the comments...

 

[Dan Bear]

^^^ The porting is to keep the muzzle from rising as much. It blows some of the energy out of the top of the barrel to counter the rise. I, for one, do not like it. If you're using iron sights, you have to clean your front sight after every few rounds to get the carbon off.