Ok Ok, you convinced me...I have a budget for a 45-70 lever action rifle..

[saturno_v]

After all the reading about how wonderful the 45-70 is....I realized that I have quite a bit of "excess reserves" in my gun budget fund (about 5K and growing at the moment with some already planned purchases)

So here I am, I'm going to give it a try....any advice for the honest price for a long barrel (22") modern Marlin lever action (mod 1895) used rifle?? I do not want to spend more than $500-600. And no SS, just classic blued.

This rifle will fill the niche of "big bore classic American lever action rifle" in my collection

My preferred choice would be the 26" barrel model with full length magazine....honest price for that??

Can I use the "nuclear loads" in a modern lever action 45-70?? Someone told me yes, others not...what is the definite answer to that??
If yes what is the production year "threshold" for the use of such loads??

Thanks!!

Regards

 

[General Geoff]

Good luck to you on your purchase; I'd LOVE to have a .45-70 rifle, but if I got one it'd have to be a Shiloh Sharps 1874 Long Range Express... a bit more coin than you want to spend, but gorgeous beyond words...

 

[Al LaVodka]

Not sure about the Nuclear comment unless you are asking about used guns. Modern made .45-70's can all handle whatever is safe to handload which can be extraordinary vs. factory .45-70's are loaded to be shot in a rusty Trapdoor...
Al

 

[420Stainless]

I have a Marlin 1895 Cowboy and love it dearly.

Never gone nuclear with it though. My Lyman and Hodgedon's reloading manuals have the .45-70 split into 3 categories with the Marlin 1895 and Winchester 1886 in the middle category. Lyman only recommends the hottest loads for Ruger No. 1 and No. 3, or for bolt actions built on the Model 98 action.

 

[MCMXI]

This rifle will fill the niche of "big bore classic American lever action rifle" in my collection. My preferred choice would be the 26" barrel model with full length magazine....honest price for that??

I have two Marlins in .45-70, a Guide Gun and XLR, but would love a Cowboy model at some point to leave bone stock. I know where you can find a NIB 1895 Cowboy with a 26" barrel for $650 ... doesn't get more classic than that!! Just PM me if you want the details.

As for heavy loads, I shoot Remington's 405gr SP in front of VV N130 powder. I don't use a sissy pad or similar or even wear a jacket and after 20 rounds off the bench I know I did something that day. I haven't chronographed any loads yet but plan to. I'd like to see how the 18.5" barrel of the Guide Gun compares to the 24" barrel of the XLR (in terms of velocity).

 

[Rob96]

As for heavy loads, I shoot Remington's 405gr SP in front of VV N130 powder.

I use the same bullet in front of 50grs. of H322. You know you are shooting something when touching them off.