45/70 sights

[va_hunter]

I have committed to buying a Marlin 1895 in 45/70.  I will be using factory loads. My plan is to get comfortable with iron sights, then prob put scope on it (1x5, 2x7).  NRA has in indoor range you can shoot upto 460 Weatherby.  Great place.  Any suggestions on getting rid of sights supplied by Marlin?  

THX
VA_H

[Fla Brian]

You might try a receiver sight by either Williams or Lyman, or maybe one of the tang sights by either Lyman or Marbles. I've got a Williams 5D on my old Winchester 94 and it works just fine. I leave in the aperture for fine work and screw it out for hunting so it acts like a "ghost ring."

[Con]

Va_hunter,
Visit the Beartooth bullets website and check the tech notes on the 444 Marlin. A very neat arrangement is shown using a Williams peep and Weaver mounts to create a quick detachable system. Very nice!
Cheers...
Con

[va_hunter]

Thx to u both.  I will check it out.

[Coyote Hunter]

va_hunter -

When I got my first Marlin, a 375, I replaced the front sight with a Williams FireSight.  That made a huge difference in my ability to see the front sight under most lighting conditions, which in turn helped group sizes.

Then I installed Warne Quick Detach 'Maxima" bases and rings, and an old scope I had lying around.  The benefit was that I could shoot iron sights or glass at a moments notice.  

When I got my .45-70 I used the same setup but selected a Leupold VXII 2-7x33 scope.  The scope choice was due primarily to the 4.9" eye relief, which meant no worries shooting heavy loads, but also because it is a fairly compact scope.

Too bad you will be shooting factory loads, as the .45-70 is a great reason to start reloading.  I build plinker loads (300-350g hardcast at around 1100fps) for $2.50 per box of 20.  All told I have worked up 17 loads for my Marlin .45-70, 18 if you count the 500g Speer African Grand Slam Tungsten Solids I have loaded but not test fired yet.  Normally I work up wo or three loads for a rifle and call it good, but the .45-70 has been too much FUN.    Do yourself a favor and get it sooner rather than later!

[va_hunter]

Coyote, you hit my plan on the head.  Get the gun, get real comfortable with it using iron sights, then add 2x7 with quick release rings.  I'm only waiting on my next commission check.   :-)

[oso45-70]

fla brian,
Brian I have a question to start with. what does the nil sine magno labore
mean ?
I have two marlin 45-70s one is the guide gun the other is the cowbow and
on these two i put the lyman peeps on and the front sights i used the hi viz
and have had good luck with them. i have two ruger# 1s and they both have 2/5 by 8 leupolds, one is in 45-70 and the other is a 375H&H I have a lot of trouble with my eyes, Macular Degeneration, its not too bad in my right eye but the left is zilch nada vision. In spite of this i'm able to do pretty good with the peep sights whitch was a big surprise to me, I guess what i'm getting at is, that the peep type sights are a lot better than the open. Its no fun getting old when a person loves to shoot as much as i do.
I got real serious about shooting in 1948 and kept it up since.
Have a good day,,, and keep your powder dry,  Joe

[Fla Brian]

oso45-70,

You're the first person to ask me that question. It's my college motto. It means, "Nothing without great effort."

[oso45-70]

Brian, Thanks , I guess if i had gone to school i would have known that,
But since i went to the 8th grade i didn't have much time to learn things like that, Thanks again. Now to the topic, I just fineshed putting magnum
recoil pads on a couple of guns, Both ruger #1s one 375H&H and the other
is a 45-70. The pads are the Pachmayr Mag 990 Triple, lots of soft rubber
about 1 1/4" thick. this should soak up most of the shock, I have a torn
rotator cuff in my right shoulder and it hurts like $$$$ every time i let one off. Take care & keep your powder dry.   Joe

[va_hunter]

Went out today and shot an early 1970's M1895 45/70.  Had williams rear sight.  unsure on most sites, but it had a small circular aperture.  Ghost ring?  Hadn't been shot in years.  Bought Rem 330gr SJHP.  Only thing on the shelf at one place.  Stock recoil (?) pad, essentially a piece of plastic.

FUN, FUN, FUN!!   :-D

With very little sighting in (since i never used this type of sight before) i was table to hit four on the paper sitting at a table.  Now i'm ready to get mine and sight it in good.  No problem with good hard recoil, but will definately put a pad on mine before I use it.  Did you put it on, or have someone do it?

[oso45-70]

VA_hunter
I put them on myself, Did two more yesterday, it's not that hard to do if you have the tools to work with. I remove the old one's then i drill out the holes and then i put a dowel rod in the same size as the drill, put a little glue on before putting them in, let dry for a while then cut the rods
flush, you need a good cut off saw one that won't splinter your stock.
before you do ant thing else take some masking tape and go around the butt of the stock obout 4" from the butt, then figger out how much you want to cut off then make your cut, after you make your cut use the new pad to mark your holes, you can use the cut off piece to guide your drill
so you are streight with the stock. when you get this done you will need some kind of grinder with a sanding disk, just be carefull and watch the tape so you don't get into the wood. oops forgot to drill holes for the new screws. anyway i think you get the idea, main thing take your time.
Good luck, stay safe and keep your powdwe dry  Joe

[va_hunter]

Joe,

Thx for the advice.  You convinced me to have someone else do it   :-)
I have a circular saw, but I won't go near my stock witih that.  Gun shop near by mentioned a recoil pad installed was $80.  I'll double check and see what kind of deal I can get.  Went to a small gun store that really caters to handguns, said he could order the Marlin for me, and he points to the cataloge and says, "heres what it will cost'.  showing me list price.  I said thanks for offerring retail.  can beat that by 150.

anyway, thx again.  I will let you know what happens.