Anyone got a 45/70?

[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?