Anyone got a 45/70?

[GoldTip]

Not sure exactly why, but I got a hankering for a 45/70 in the stainless Marlin Guide gun.  Anyone got one or shot one?  Any opinions on them?  For some reason wanting a close quarters easy handling gun that would work from deer all the way through elk/moose, and have been wanting a lever gun, thought this may fill the bill.  Thinking of using either a old peep style site or a low mag scope.  Any insight on the 45/70 and or the guide gun would be appreciated.

[EastWaViking]

My dad has a 45 70 single shot and loves it for deer.  Perfect brush gun.

[Sagedawg]

 I dont have one but Ive shot a couple. Quite the thumper on both ends.  Not bad but you know its there. They handle and balance real nice, and would be great in the thick stuff. I wouldnt mind having one for elk in the timber. I have also shot the 450 Marlin and it seemed to be about the same. I dont belive that that one is as available as the 45/70, so it might be abit harder to find ammo for it.  My vote would go for a 1.5 x 4 variable on it. Just my  


  Sage

[washingtonmuley]

I have one with a forward mounted 2x Leupold scout scope and love it. It kicks nothing like a belted magnum. I also have the AO ghost ring site on it as well.

[GoldTip]

WAmuley, do you have the see through rings on your scope so you can use the AO ghost ring, or do you have the quik detach scope mounts?

[BULLBLASTER]

i have one, marlin 1895 (not guide) with a 6 power by 44 mm lens. awesome gun. hollowpoints thump elk good!!! the only drawback is the scope height. too high on mine to get solid rest with my cheek on the stock. i dont like the lower power scopes, looks farther away than without one to me. 5 or 6 power is the lowest i ever use.

[fc2038]

I have a 1895 marlin guide gun . Love it would not trade it for anything. It is a hard hitter and has quite a kick too. Great brush gun for deer and elk in the tinber. Go get one you will not be dissapointed.

[mossback91]

I would love to have a marlin in 45/70

[Gutpile]

I bought an 1895 this spring and love it. I didnt like the guide gun though, it felt different to me. Factory stuff is a breeze to shoot but the leverrevolution stuff is pretty stout. I'm useing a peep sight. Its my first lever gun and i love it.

[Jason]

if you go with a lever gun,you should look at the .444 its a great round.

[high country]

I would never take a 444 ove the 45/70 or 450. the bullet choices are the reason. I have a guide and I would suggest against the poerted one if you think you might use it for protection. the ported gun will flash you at night making a second shot impossible. if you have not tried a big dose of varget with a 400-500 gr bullet, then yep they are mild......add those together and it will change your mind!! the 45/70 is a hoot to shoot and a timeless classic. the ao sights are a must.

[hornhunter]

Ive had the same thought for the last couple of years.  Ive used my Ruger Red Label All Weather over under with slugs hunting deer in western Wa more than my rifle.  While carrying the shotgun Ive done alot of dreaming about a 45-70 with fibar optic peep sights!! .  If the .416 Rigby wasnt so heavy I might like one of those  

[fc2038]

Hey horn quit dreaming and go get one!!!!

Gutpile what was so different that made dislike the guide gun? Was the stock different? You can get the stock in the old flat winchester style or the pistol grip style. Mine has the pistol grip style. MAN I LOVE THAT GUN... I just got it a couple months ago.... Let me say it again.. MAN I LOVE THAT GUN

[Gutpile]

I really don't remember specifically. It just didn't feel as "natural".  I considered the guide gun, I really liked the stainless one. It just didn't fit the same. I really don't remember the stock style that was on it. Not saying it's a bad choice, it just didn't fit the same to me.

[fc2038]

Just a little eye candy

[GoldTip]

Thanks for all of the input guys, I think I just found my Christmas present......

[fc2038]

In my opinion I don't think you can go wrong.

[cohoho]

Got the guide model, and it is a blast to shoot, I used it as a boat/ATV/fishing gun for Bears up north...  Trust me it will knock the snot right out of a Moose.... 

[fremont]

Yeah, I'll pigpile on, too.  I have a 45/70 Guide Gun that I took hunting the first time this year.  It was my "afternoon gun," as we'd hunt the sagebrush/hills at dawn & dusk, and I'd beat some pine stands during the sunniest/warmest part of the day with the 45/70.  What a joy to carry.  Light & compact.  Unfortunately wasn't able to use it....but my buddies got a kick out of my 405 Speer handloads.  "Whaddya gonna do with those?  Do they just push the deer over?" etc etc

I've installed a "One Ragged Hole" rear sight (ghost ring) which I really like.  It's accurate.  You just don't want to be on the bench to the right or left of this thing when it fires, though; the muzzle break & short barrel is N-A-S-T-Y.

[fc2038]

fremont-- How do you like that ghost sight? Did you hunt with it this year? Is it worth trying out or should I just put a small scope on mine. I have been thinking of doing one or the other

[fremont]

I like the ghost ring a lot.  Much better than the buckhorn rear sight.

I carry the 45/70 in the brush.  I own enough scoped guns.  I wanted one to carry with iron sights.  I have three now.....336c 30-30, 1895G 45/70 and a Win 71 348Win.  Scope are NEVER going on any of them.

[PWN Kurt]

I have 2 45/70s, a Guide Gun and a Ruger #1.  Both are nice shooters.  I recommend reloading for them as you can get better-than-factory performance.  A few upgrades that I recommend: Limbsaver recoil pad, Wild West Guns Happy Trigger, and a 2 x 7 scope.

I also use a 444 marlin, and like that quite a bit.  Took a bear with it this summer.

Enjoy!

[MikeWalking]

Yep Got (had) 2. The current is an 1895 LTD III 18in Octagon bbl 5rd mag straight stock..

I had for years the 1895GS, loved it, once I "finished" it. It had some wicked tool marks in the carrier arm which I blame for a jam at a bad moment.

I had a Pachmyer Redline recoil pad put on it and added myself the ghost ring sight-fibre optic front sight, Happy trigger kit, 1 piece Bear proof ejector, anodized aluminum follower all from Wild West guns in Anchorage + a heavy mag spring from Wolff.  I also spent a couple movies worth of time polishing all the internal parts.

I miss it but I really needed the $$ for a new vehicle.  I really liked the big fat forearm, especially when shooting the hot stuff from Buffalo Bore.

Can't wait to build up another one  when I can.

[CP]

I’ve been eyeing the Knight KP1 as my next rifle.  I can’t decide between 444 Marlin and 45/70. 

[PWN Kurt]

The knights seem a little spendy for what you get.  I guess a TC Encore or Contender would be along the same lines.

As far as the .444 vs. the 45/70, there has been many many articles and threads on the subject (see the marlin forum).  I would have to say that the number of load options for the 45/70 are greater.  The 444 bullet selection for heavy bodied game is somewhat small.

I like them both.  And word on the street is Hornady is going to offer their flextip FXT bullets to reloaders in 2009.

[Gutpile]

Thats great news! I sure hope so

[Huntbear]

I had an instructor in gunsmithing school that built a bolt action 45-70 on a Siamese mauser.  It has a staggered magazine.  His final load of what ever powder was to fill the case to the rim, then compress seat a 400 gr. bullet on top.  He knocked a Colorado bull flat at 225 yds.. with one shot.  I wish one of the gun makers would copy that Siamese mauser staggered magazine design and make a bolt action 45-70.  I would own one in a heart beat. 

[Mo]

I'm another 45-70 addict.  I would love to find a trapdoor Springfield.  I currently have the Marlin 1895 Cowboy, LTD III and an 1895GS Guide Gun.  The Guide Gun was my favorite and go-to hunting rifle until I found the LTD III which combines the good looks of the Cowboy and the handiness of the Guide Gun.  I'll probably end up selling the Guide Gun since it doesn't get much use anymore. 

I've owned five Marlins in 45-70.  All are/were very accurate and performance on game is excellent.  The 45-70 is a fun cartridge to reload too.  My favorite load is a home cast bullet - Ranch Dog Mold TLC-460-425 pushed with SR4759 to ~1500 fps.

[wadu1]

Love the 45-70, I have two SS guide Gun (Pine Ridge 3X9X40) and a H&R (Red Dot)single. Both can take everything on the market if you want a thump-er try the Buffalo Bore it will spin you around. Some of the guides I know in Canada use them as a backup for both Black and Griz bears. It is a fun cartridge to reload and you have a big range of bullets I use 350 grains for deer and 405 for everything else.

[bowhunterforever]

I have a marlin 45/70 guide gun and i love it. Its a good brush gun it handles awsome. I need to get a scope on it sometime though. Any body have any good ideas on what scope i should get for it?

[Old Wanderer]

I built up a #1 Ruger 45-70 about 6 years ago. Put a Holo sight on top of it (just gives you a red circle and dot, no magnification). I hand loaded some new brass with the Barnes 300 Gr X bullet they make for the 45-70.

You can bring the pressures way up in the #1, and it got to the point I said enough...shot good groups, super light and short to get through the brush with when chassing Roosevelt  Elk....Great Gun....A must have IMHO.   

[mossback91]

I built up a #1 Ruger 45-70 about 6 years ago. Put a Holo sight on top of it (just gives you a red circle and dot, no magnification). I hand loaded some new brass with the Barnes 300 Gr X bullet they make for the 45-70.

You can bring the pressures way up in the #1, and it got to the point I said enough...shot good groups, super light and short to get through the brush with when chassing Roosevelt  Elk....Great Gun....A must have IMHO.   

:drool:Sounds like an awesome gun!! got any pics??

[Guy]

I'm a bit of a .45/70 fan myself. Have only taken one mule deer doe with Ol' Brutus the Marlin, but the rifle and bullet did a fine job. Started with the Guide Gun, then decided I liked the standard 22" barreled 1895 better.


The little 2.5x Leupold works really well on the Marlin. Lots of eyebrow clearance for the heavy-recoil of stout loads, and it weighs only a few ounces so it doesn't affect the handling of the big bore lever gun.


Not all .45/70 bullets are created equal. All of these were recovered after being slammed into water jugs at 20 yards:

350 gr Swift A-Frame on left, 350 gr Hornady FNSP on the right:


300 gr Remington hollow point:


405 gr Remington FNSP factory load:


I haven't managed to take an elk or bear with it yet - but it seems a natural choice for those critters!


Regards, Guy