45/70 barrel question

[TexasHorn]

Lots of good stuff on the 45/70 so I have decided to purchase a Marlin 1895. I like the guide barrel because I have some wooded land but I also have fields which could give me 200 yard shots on axis, white tail and pigs. Is the 1.5" of barrel going to make big difference in a shot at 100 to 200yards? I also will be hunting bear in the future with the model I choose.

Thanks

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

My advice on this question would be to not worry as much about the difference in barrel length and worry more about which model feels better in your hands.  The straight grip vs the "pistol" grip will feel different to you (some persons prefer one over the other).  As far as the difference in barreel lengths, practice will make up for the small differences in the drop of the bullet at the same yardage with the 1.5" difference.  Shoulder both guns a couple of times, carry them like you would while hunting, and consider which of them seems to fit you best.  


If you made a mistake, you could always but another one.  :wink:

One of the options that you should also decide on is stainless vs blued...consider how much inclement weather that you hunt in, and how much time you will spend cleaning gun afterwards.

[victorcharlie]

I don't think there will be that much difference.  The thing to do with either gun, no matter which you pick, is to practice at that range.  Remington shows the 300 grain leaving the muzzle at 1810 fps, and with a hundred yard zero, being down 4.6 inches at 150 yards and 13.8 inches low at 200 yards.

Seems most people like a little heavier bullet especially for hogs as the 300 grain remington is said to be a little explosive and designed more for deer.

I'd say the flattest shooting factory round that most would agree are sutiable for hogs would be the PMC 350 grain HA or +p+.  It's a horndy 350 grain flat nose at 2125 fps.......it's a hot load and has a fair amount of recoil.  The price is right on these, and I've bought them for $18.45 a box.  They shoot very well out of my rifle........

There is some custom stuff out there that I haven't and probably won't try because of the inflated price.  Reloading would be the way to go, and I plan to start reloading for this round soon.....

Right now, I'm zeroed for and am deer hunting with the 300 grain remington corelot........It's a little milder in recoil and all I need for the small deer around here.....

[EsoxLucius]

I've found that with most loads for the 45-70 there is about 20 fps difference per inch of barrel.  70 fps or even 100 fps is not enough to make a practical difference in the field.  Factory ammunition from the major companies (SAAMI spec) are going to make 200 yard shots more work as you will have to learn where it shoots at that range.  40,000 CUP reloads of 300 or 350 grain bullets will achieve 6" diameter point blank ranges of 200 yards or more.

Conley Precision Ammunition makes a 300 grain Hornady HP load for $25 a box that is rated at 2100 fps.

[tanoose]

Texas i think the guide gun has a 18 1/2 " and the 1895 standard is 22" so thats 3 1/2 inch difference . Go with the model most comfortable to you as they all will get the job done to 200 yds . Later Tanoose