What barrel length for 45-70?

[Apex29]

I'm leaning heavily toward a Browning B-78 in 45-70 (mainly because I can't find a 30-06 without the right handed cheekpiece).

Gunbroker has the 78's offerings with 24 inch, 28 inch and 30 inch barrel lengths. Ignoring actual hunting conditions (thick woods vs. open plains), does one barrel length maximize the 45-70's accuracy over the other (barrel length)?

 

[ocharry]

if you are thinking 45-70 in a highwall action,,you should look at the 1885 version,,,for me they are a better fit,, Winchester makes them and Browning made them too

the 28" barrel on that gun is a good balance,, the gun handles good and accuracy is good

if you want a 30-06 i was thinking browning made the 78s in that caliber along with a bunch of others

to answer your question; in my opinion the 28" barrel is the right length barrel on that gun for hunting apps

my .02 YMMV

ocharry

 

[rcmodel]

Unless you are using open sights, barrel length has no effect on accuracy.
A long barrel has a longer sight radius, so you can in theory, align them more closely.

Other then that, the main benefit of a longer barrel is usually higher velocity. Especially in magnum calibers.

But the 45-70 will perform quite well in any of the barrel lengths you listed.

Another thing is, a single-shot can use a longer barrel and be no longer over-all then a bolt-action with a 2" shorter barrel.

The bottom line is balance, and a 24" or 26" will probably balance closer to the receiver and be easier to carry around in the woods with one hand.

rc

 

[Apex29]

you should look at the 1885 version

Since you mentioned the 1885, how would the Winchester 1885 stack up to the Browning?

 

[ocharry]

same gun ,,different name on the barrel

ocharry

 

[ocharry]

RC is right,,about the barrel length,, probably won't matter for most hunting if you plan on scoping the rifle

for me the Traditional Hunter i have is one of the first ones when Browning made the offering,,,i think it was some where along 96-97,,they made them in 30-30,,38-55,,45-70,,,the gun fits me like it was custom built for me,,when i just throw it to my shoulder the sights are right there,,no adjusting or shifting around,,in line ready to rock,,i love the gun

if i remember when Browning stopped making them there was a few years they weren't made,,and then Winchester and Browning merged and they started making them again with the Winchester name on them,,,just like the old ones

my history my be off a little but i believe that is the way it went

anyone with the real story is welcome to jump in and fix anything i may have messed up,,lol

ocharry

 

[highlander 5]

The '78 is nice rifle,but that curved steel buttplate will beat you senseless even with factory loads. The 1885 has a recoil pad all be it a poor one but it's so much better to shoot especially with near 458 win mag loads. I have 2 1885s 45/70 and one rabarreled to 40/65 and they are a hoot to shoot.

 

[ocharry]

sorry about the confusion i have made here,, i mentioned the 1885,,that gun is the target version of the highwall and it has a 30" barrel,,about half octagon and half round,, and is considerably heavier then the 1885 traditional hunter

the TH has the full octagon barrel and is tapered for a nice carry hunting weight gun,,,much like the 78

the 1885 target guns came in 45-70,, and 40-65 cals,,were in the 10+lb. class,,you could carry one all day i guess but it would get pretty heavy,,this gun was also offered for a very limited time in 45-90 called the Creedmoor

now that Winchester has their name on the barrel again,,i think you can get the lighter barreled version in the 45-90 but i think it has a 34" barrel

just my opinion again

highwall,,45-70,,28" barrel,,,,B78,,Traditional hunter,,i prefer the TH over the 78,,just me,,or the winchester version of these rifles,,,well ballanced natural pointing,, hard to beat for a single shot

ocharry

 

[Harley Quinn]

Marlin info...

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/marlin_4570.htm

 

[Slamfire]

I have one of these Winchester BPCR's. http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=002C&mid=534169

It has a 30" barrel. I am a very good offhand shot and this thing is hard to keep steady offhand as it is nose heavy.

The recoil is not that bad with BP equivalent loads.

It is drilled for some sort of scope bases. Two holes on the receiver ring and two more holes out on the barrel.

 

[teumessian_fox]

i mentioned the 1885,,that gun is the target version of the highwall and it has a 30" barrel

A brief perusal of Gunbroker w/"1885" as the search category gets several hits on different variations of the above.

Here's a "low wall" in 243 w/24 inch barrel:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=204763685

Here's a high wall w/22 inch octagonal barrel, 45-70:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=204635047

Etc.