So do I really need a 45/70 Lever Gun to add to the stable?

Rockrivr1

Rockrivr1

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2002
Messages
1,872
Location
Massachusetts
First off I HATE reloading, so I'll not be reloading this cartridge. Yes, I understand the ammo is expensive.

The real question though is do I really need a 45/70 rifle? The answer may be no, but for some reason I want one and that usually means I'll get one sooner or later unless someone comes up with a really good reason not to get one.

I was in my LGS last weekend and they had a consignment Marlin Ranch Gun in 45/70 with a Burris scope mounted. They guy was out of his mind with the price he wanted but after playing around with it I really did like it. Though there are some good options out there with Marlin, Henry and Winchester right now that I've been looking at.

So which brand/model do you prefer for your lever guns? I know I'll get some options with other calibers, but I already have levers in 38/357, 44 mag, 45LC and 30/30 so this would be an additional add.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
First off I HATE reloading, so I'll not be reloading this cartridge. Yes, I understand the ammo is expensive.

The real question though is do I really need a 45/70 rifle? The answer may be no, but for some reason I want one and that usually means I'll get one sooner or later unless someone comes up with a really good reason not to get one.

I was in my LGS last weekend and they had a consignment Marlin Ranch Gun in 45/70 with a Burris scope mounted. They guy was out of his mind with the price he wanted but after playing around with it I really did like it. Though there are some good options out there with Marlin, Henry and Winchester right now that I've been looking at.

So which brand/model do you prefer for your lever guns? I know I'll get some options with other calibers, but I already have levers in 38/357, 44 mag, 45LC and 30/30 so this would be an additional add.
Click to expand...
I briefly had a 2006 Marlin 45-70 and it was cool as heck, but I sold it as I didn't really like shooting it a lot as it was just too expensive even with reloading for it since good 458 bullets aren't cheap and also I have a Remington 870 so I'd rather just shoot some slugs out of that...
 
Rockrivr1 said:
First off I HATE reloading, so I'll not be reloading this cartridge. Yes, I understand the ammo is expensive.

The real question though is do I really need a 45/70 rifle? The answer may be no, but for some reason I want one and that usually means I'll get one sooner or later unless someone comes up with a really good reason not to get one.

I was in my LGS last weekend and they had a consignment Marlin Ranch Gun in 45/70 with a Burris scope mounted. They guy was out of his mind with the price he wanted but after playing around with it I really did like it. Though there are some good options out there with Marlin, Henry and Winchester right now that I've been looking at.

So which brand/model do you prefer for your lever guns? I know I'll get some options with other calibers, but I already have levers in 38/357, 44 mag, 45LC and 30/30 so this would be an additional add.
Click to expand...
Marlin, Rossi, Henry or Ruger like buying a car all about taste and looks. Henry does make a single shot 45/70 which is reasonable.
 
The discussion has come up recently.

45/70 worth it?

I’ve been wanting to increase my number of leverguns I guess I just enjoy shooting them and hunting with them. I already have a .45colt lever gun, going to get a 30-30 and possibly a .357. Was wondering since I have a 45 colt that shoots plus p if I’m really gaining anything other than on...
www.thehighroad.org

Best 45-70 lever gun?

Since the discussion about 45-70 lever guns has been kicking around the forum in another thread for a while, I'm curious what people's experiences with theirs has been, and if you've had experience with multiple brands? I have very little experience with them so far, I picked a Browning 1886...
www.thehighroad.org

"worth it" is kind of subjective. I only entered the .45-70 lever gun foray a few months ago. If you buy smart and look for a good price on a used lever gun, you can always sell it for what you paid for it or more, if it doesn't tickle your fancy. Seems the .45-70 lever gun is seeing a revival in a big way.

I won't be getting rid of mine anytime soon though. Its a different animal than high velocity rifle rounds and earns its reputation as a thumper.
I bought a box of 300gr federal fusion HP rounds, and I spent an afternoon trying to catch a slug in milk jugs full of water. A 165gr SP out of a .308 will usually end up in the 4th jug of water, so I started at 3. It blew all three to pieces, not even close to stopping. So I used 4 jugs. Same result. Then I used 5 jugs, and it blew 4 of the jugs up but only split the 5th jug of water in half so it was starting to run out of steam. I ran out of jugs, and I've been saving them since...I'm up to 6 now, I'll try at 8.
 
Last edited:
Scooter22 said:
I'd ask why do you want it? As a plinker and all around fun gun. No get one of the 92 handgun carbines. If you want to hunt with it go for it. I always wanted a 45-70 but ended up with a .444 Marlin and .348 Winchester. Nice rifles but not plinkers either so I speak from experience.
Click to expand...
Yeah I would like a 45 Colt lever action with a threaded barrel a lot. I think I saw a Citadel brand one on one of our wholesalers websites a while back but I gotta sell stuff to make room for it first lol.
 
I got the Marlin 1895 with the pistol grip and the half magazine a few years back, because it reminded me of classic Marlins and Winchesters. Remington had a $100 rebate on them, so I took the plunge. It is a well made gun and different enough that I am glad I bought it. I can't justify it but fortunately do not have to. Buy one if it speaks to you, pass if it doesn't make you happy.
 
They are a niche rifle that fills a void between most lever gun rifle cartridges (.30-30, .35 Rem, etc.) and “bear stoppers” like a 12 ga slug.

I bought my factory ported JM 1895G in the 1990’s when they first came out. Trapdoor loads are fun to shoot; accurate and rather mild in recoil. Stepping up to some handloaded 405 gr JSP over a hearty dose of IMR 4198 (or 3031) is another experience entirely. Lever gun recoil can be surprisingly sharp, and the brick-hard factory pad is little help.

I stumbled upon a nearly new JM 1895CB in a pawn shop in Victorville, Ca. several years ago. I bet the owner fired no more than 5 shots before tapping out and selling it. (There was a box of 15 factory loads in the counter at the time, I will guess it was part of the deal.) The 26” octagon barrel is really cool, but the plastic buttplate isn’t. I had the stock shortened slightly and a new recoil pad added. Much more pleasant to shoot now. :thumbup:

Both of my Marlins wear a Williams peep, plus I put fold-down rear sight blades in place of the too-tall-for-a-peep buckhorn rear sights that were standard.

If you want one to have one, get one. They are fun guns that can do a lot of duty within 150 yards (200+ if you are a really good shot. I admit my limit is about 150). They can get pricy to buy, and they are pricy to feed factory ammo to, so factor in the expense and give it some thought.

Let us know what you decide to do.,:D

Stay safe.
 
I've been in the market for a thumper carbine to throw my suppressor on, and I would be lieing if I said a 45-70 lever gun wasn't one of my top choices.

A 45 Raptor barrel for my Sig Cross (or a ground up savage build) might be my second choice.

A BCA 450BM upper would by far be the cheapest option (and might happen one way or the other)

A 450BM Ruger American might be the most pragmatic choice though.
 
W.E.G. said:
You'll probably get your fill of "plinking" with it before it puts you in the poorhouse. Especially if you shoot factory ammo. I've never shot a 45-70 lever gun that wasn't a real STOMPER.
Click to expand...
Ya, at $2.50+ a shot it gets spendy awfully quick!

The trapdoor loads are nice on the shoulder. A 400 gr LRN at 1150 fps is downright pleasant and super accurate to boot. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
First off I HATE reloading, so I'll not be reloading this cartridge. Yes, I understand the ammo is expensive.

The real question though is do I really need a 45/70 rifle? The answer may be no, but for some reason I want one and that usually means I'll get one sooner or later unless someone comes up with a really good reason not to get one.

I was in my LGS last weekend and they had a consignment Marlin Ranch Gun in 45/70 with a Burris scope mounted. They guy was out of his mind with the price he wanted but after playing around with it I really did like it. Though there are some good options out there with Marlin, Henry and Winchester right now that I've been looking at.

So which brand/model do you prefer for your lever guns? I know I'll get some options with other calibers, but I already have levers in 38/357, 44 mag, 45LC and 30/30 so this would be an additional add.
Click to expand...

Yes. As a matter of fact you need THIS one (because I don't need it anymore) ;)-

hgtW6k1l.jpg


35W
 
If you asked then the answer is yes.

The recoil aversion is really over rated, I am not sure I understand. HMS and Black Hills make and sell, and is readily available, the 405 grain HCL historic (cowboy) loads and they are pussy cats at between 1,000 and 1,300 fps. Next up is Remington 405 grain JSP at 1300 fps (trapdoor safe) and then the Federal Fusion/Hammerdown is not bad at all. I do particulalry dislike the Hornady LR with the 325FTX bullet because it has a hard, snappy recoil. But the HLR ammo is often MOA in my three Marlin .45-70 rifles, there is that ;). I have several bolt rifles that recoil at least as much if not more. Yes, if you ante up some "Bear" level loads then you best be prepared for a thumping on both ends and then some!

The OP does not want to reload and I certainly understand not everybody wants to reload but with the .45-70 a lot of flexibility is lost and there are simply loads that are not available off the shelf leaving performance on the table otherwise and it is a fun and easy round to load for. Lever guns are Americana.



Missing from that photo is a JM "Cowboy" that is getting, very slowly, some TLC.
 
Last edited:
Déjà vu is a sense of having already seen something you're currently seeing or experiencing—. Or did I really?

45/70 worth it?

I’ve been wanting to increase my number of leverguns I guess I just enjoy shooting them and hunting with them. I already have a .45colt lever gun, going to get a 30-30 and possibly a .357. Was wondering since I have a 45 colt that shoots plus p if I’m really gaining anything other than on...
www.thehighroad.org

But, if for every thread there was for black plastic MSRs in some anemic cartridge there was an equal number of .45-70 lever gun threads I would be as happy as a boll weevil in high cotton ;).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
  • Poll
Best 45-70 lever gun?
2
Replies
47
Views
2K
Riomouse911
Riomouse911
T
  • Locked
What are my choices for a 45-70?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
4K
Dain Bramage
Dain Bramage
G
  • Locked
lever gun: .45-70 or .30-30?
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
redneck2
redneck2
C
  • Locked
Trying to decide on a lever action
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
Alaska
Alaska
biogenic
  • Locked
Pre 64 Winchester or Marlin in 45-70
Replies
6
Views
485
eastbank
eastbank
Back
Top