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Author Topic: 45/70 I think I need one!  (Read 1756 times)

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Offline JD338

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45/70 I think I need one!
« on: August 20, 2005, 10:40:06 AM »
Guys,

I have been a M700 guy for years, 22-250 up to 338 RUM. I also reload for everything I own, over 30 yrs experience.
I am getting very interested in the 45/70, thinking of a Marlin 1895 or 1895 Guide Gun.
I would use for tinkering, maybe WT Deer hunting, Bear, etc.

What do you guys think? (talk me into it)!

Regards,

JD338
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Offline hogship

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2005, 11:08:08 AM »
Sounds like you've already got yerself half talked into it already!

Good groups, big holes, a thump on your shoulder, and the looks in their eyes when you tell 'em yer shootin a 405g bullet!

If that doesn't push you over the edge, you just ain't got "the right stuff"!

Get one.....you'll never scratch that itch by thinking about it!

hog
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Offline oso45-70

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Marlin Lever Action Centerfire Rifles
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2005, 11:39:43 AM »
JD338

I don't know how you made it this long without a 45-70. Thats where all the fun is. Yes i have a few marlins 95s one CB and two GGs one blue and one Stainless, Also have one in Ruger #1.  I think i have more fun with my 45-70s than all my other guns put togather. I think you will enjoy a 45-70 Marlin mod. 95. Good luck Sir :D ........Joe........
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Offline AkRvrrat

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2005, 05:39:23 PM »
JD338, you been reloading wisely for many years and I suppose you can tell us a thing or two as well. Reloading is an art especially when "truly" developing a load for a particular caliber and firearm. When the barrel is slugged and when the throat is sized and you load up for "bear" their is no getting over a lever .45-70. Bullets are as diverse as some calibers and more. Lots of quality jacketed to fit every need and hardcast as well. Equipping your "little" levergun is fun too. Many accessories of various brands and quality, its your oyster, shuck it and enjoy! My 1895G was worked over by Jim West and his crew and am pleased with internal mods. and exterior finish applied. Have had it for many years and never really "papered" the rifle, never figured a "brush" gun needed it. To make a long story short this rifle sent out many fliers which made me take a long hard look at slugging the bore. Came out with 3 diff. measurements ranging from .455-.4595, WOW! Now you can see where the "fliers" came from - swaged bullets! I studied what Veral and Marshall Stanton had on "Firelapping" and the finished results are not only staggering but would give most bolt actions a run for their money! I am now getting with .425grn. 460dia. WLNGC BTB with 52 grn H322 .7"@100yds! I also mounted a Leupold Scout Scope with a XS Base and a set of TC Maxima QR low mount rings prior to all this work to aid in my questionable shooting eyes. I think you will enjoy the .45-70 it is truly an astounding firearm that can with the right loads shoot straight and hits em hard!
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Offline Coyote Hunter

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2005, 04:05:39 AM »
JD338 –


Since you shoot a .338RUM I don’t think you’ll be put off by the .45-70’s recoil, even with hunting loads.  And for sheer fun a .45-70 with plinking loads is gentle enough my wife and daughters will shoot it and very easy on the pocket book.  A warning, though, Marlinitis has no known cure!  Fortunately you can scratch the itch.  I started out with a Marlin 375 (.375Win), then got my .45-70, then a .30-30.  All were used but have been great shooters.

Since I got the .45-70 I’ve developed something like 19 loads for it – considerably more than any other single firearm and more than almost any combination of two or three.  Here’s a sample of what I shoot:


Plinkers @ $2.50 per box of 20
13.5g HS-6, 300g or 350g Laser-Cast bullets, ~1100fps, ~7 foot-pounds recoil.  Very accurate.

Practice loads (suitable for hunting) @ $9.50 per box of 20
A big dose of H4198, Speer 300g UCHP, 2247fps, ~32 foot-pounds recoil.  Very accurate.
A big dose of H4198, Speer or Hornady 350g, 2150-2200fps, ~39 foot-pounds recoil.  Very accurate.

Hunting load @ $24 per box of 20
A big dose of H4198, North Fork 350g bonded, 2183fps, ~39 foot-pounds recoil.  Very accurate.

Big and cheap
A big dose of H4198 or Reloder 7, Remington 405g JSP, 1925fps, ~39 foot-pounds recoil.  Very accurate.  

Rhino Blasters @ $6.50 per box of 20
A big dose of Benchmark, Cast performance 460g WFNGC, 1812fps, ~43 foot-pounds recoil.  Very accurate.

Too expensive for anything but Africa @ $93 per box of 20
A mid-30’s dose of Reloder 7, Speer African Grand Slam Tungsten Solid, 1554fps, ~34 foot-pounds recoil.  Best penetration of any load.

The practice and hunting loads are all suitable for elk out to about 275 yards if zeroed for Maximum Point Blank Range for a 6” diameter kill zone. (Max rise 3” @ 100, zero @ 173, down 3” @ 203, down 15” and 1500fpe at 275 yards for the North Fork load).   The plinkers are great out to 50 yards.  The Rhino Blasters penetrate 9 family-sized Minute Maid Orange Juice jugs filled with water.  The Speer AGS Tungsten Solid exited the side of the  9th jug and buried itself too deeply into a clay embankment for recovery.

A lot of people like the Remington 405g at 1800fps for hunting and its a great choice when the range isn’t too great.  Others like hardcast.  There certainly isn’t any shortage of components to play with!

Scratch the itch but don’t be surprised if a .30-30 sneaks in the door a short while later!
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Offline big medicine

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2005, 09:12:45 AM »
Dont look for anyone here to try and talk you out of getting a 45-70..matter of fact, most will tell you that you NEED both the 1895 and the Guidegun both :lol:  :lol: you wont regret it.
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Offline Thebear_78

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2005, 01:19:40 PM »
I really like my marlin guide gun.  Its accurate, quick handling, and very powerful.  I only shot one load out of my guide gun.  STarline brass, H322 powder and either 405gr Rem JSP or 405gr Kodiak bonded.
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Offline mr.frosty

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2005, 04:04:50 PM »
yup you need one real baaad!! :grin:
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Offline JD338

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2005, 07:22:35 AM »
Guys,

Stoppppppp! Yur killing me! I must come out of the closet.

Here is my problem.
I know I need an 1895 ASAP.
I have a bear tag for 3rd season in MI UP, (late Sept).
Just bought a new truck, GMC 2500HD Crew Cab with 6.0L engine.
12 mpg OUCH!

I was hoping to pick up a 1895 45/70 b4 bear season but I don't think I can quite swing it yet.

however,

Deer season is Nov 15 and the late doe season is late Dec.
Since you guys were not able to talk me out of a 45/70, I guess I will have to get one for deer season!

Maybe you guys should keep convincing so I don't get cold feet.  :wink:

Thanks for all the feed back.

Regards,

JD338
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Offline armory414

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2005, 08:54:29 AM »
You know you are going to get one.  So you might as well get one with a 26 inch octagon barrel, and get a Marble's tang sight, and well, you get the idea. . .
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Offline mr.frosty

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2005, 11:39:49 AM »
aint nothing like a 1895 and the new truck what more could ya want....
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Offline Muskie Hunter

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Hey JD338
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2005, 04:11:40 AM »
Jd,
I know that your post is a month old now but I'd just like to say that I have a whole bunch of rifles and pistols too and I have been reloading for as many years as you.Everything takes up room in my gun safe and my Guide Gun 45/70 is all I play with now.I really don't like the term,play,when talking guns but this baby is fun.It makes everything else in my safe seem boring.
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Offline JD338

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2005, 03:58:51 PM »
muskie hunter,

Thanks for your comments. I have a hunch that I am going to really enjoy the big 45-70. I just set up my bait pit for bear this past Sunday. I am looking at a 40 yd shot with my 338 RUM. I know it is much more than needed but it is currently my favorite rifle and I don't have a M1895 yet.
Be rest assured that the next bear will fall to my 45-70.
I am planning on having one by Nov.

Thanks guys for all your help and support.

Regards,

JD338
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Offline hogship

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2005, 06:46:07 AM »
I wouldn't be surprised if your 338rum gets a little dust on it......well, for awhile, anyway. The guide gun will definately put some spice in your life!

hog

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Offline JD338

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2005, 03:58:38 PM »
hogship,

Very nice collection of lever actions!
How many of them are 45-70's?

Regards,

JD338
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Offline hogship

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2005, 06:18:14 PM »
Quote from: JD338
hogship,

Very nice collection of lever actions!
How many of them are 45-70's?

Regards,

JD338


Howdy JD338.....

Thanks.

Only the bottom one is 45/70.

They are from top to bottom:

Marlin 39a, 22lr, Williams FP receiver sight
Marlin 336CB, 30/30, Lyman tang sight
Winchester Trapper, 357mag, Williams 5d receiver sight
Marlin 1895GS, 45/70, XS ghost ring sights

hog

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Great, great, great, great, great grandson of a Revolutionary War Veteran.

--> Bill of RIGHTS, not bill of NEEDS <--

Visit my photo album, Vietnam 1968-69 at: http://www.picturetrail.com/taipan22alpha

Offline hogship

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2005, 06:30:17 PM »
BTW JD338.....

You're really going to like reloading for the 45/70. It's a very easy cartridge to reload for and a wide variety of components are available.....not to mention how much fun they are to shoot.  

Let us know when you've taken the plunge!  (Or, should I say.....bit on the hook!) :lol:

hog
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Great, great, great, great, great grandson of a Revolutionary War Veteran.

--> Bill of RIGHTS, not bill of NEEDS <--

Visit my photo album, Vietnam 1968-69 at: http://www.picturetrail.com/taipan22alpha

Offline JD338

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #17 on: September 25, 2005, 01:47:14 PM »
hog,

Thanks for the info. The hook is already set and you guys reeled me to the boat. Just waiting for the net.
I should have a M1895 by the first of Nov. '05.
I am tending an active bear bait in the UP (330 miles by GPS from home) and will be hunting it Tuesday night. Looks like I have a big bear hitting the bait.
The 45-70 would be perfect for this set up but the cost of gasoline is killing me. I will use the 338 RUM for this hunt and my next bear hunt will be with a 45-70.

Regards,

JD338
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Offline animal

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2005, 03:39:22 PM »
Hogship,
Thanks for the service in Nam. I was with 1st batalion 7th Marines, 1st Mar. Div. 81 mortars about 35 miles N. of DaNang , 1968 -69. We liked it when the choppers were around.
                                                  Animal
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Offline hogship

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2005, 04:11:11 PM »
Quote from: animal
Hogship,
Thanks for the service in Nam. I was with 1st batalion 7th Marines, 1st Mar. Div. 81 mortars about 35 miles N. of DaNang , 1968 -69. We liked it when the choppers were around.
                                                  Animal


You are certainly welcome, animal......

.....and thanks for your service, as well.

It was you guys that took all the punishment, though. I have forever since become an admirer of you grunts.

When you guys called, we come a runnin'!

hog
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--> Bill of RIGHTS, not bill of NEEDS <--

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Offline Cottonwood

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2005, 05:36:02 PM »
Impact Guns Marlin Page

Right now they are out of the Marlin 1895 22" barrel model for $439.99  I want this model and will be extending the tube to full length as well.

BUT they do have the Guide Gun Models with the 18.5" barrels in blue for $445.22 and for stainless $554.99

 :D
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Offline animal

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #21 on: October 24, 2005, 03:19:42 AM »
Do any of you guys know if Marlin made a 444 non-ported guide gun? I held a stainless 45-70 GG a couple days ago. Seems like a perfect stalking rifle for the woods. I've never fired a 45-70 or 444 but reload and use my 44 handgun alot. I 'm not decided for sure between 45-70 or 444, but if I can't get a ss GG in 444 I'll go with the 45-70.
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Offline Cottonwood

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45/70 I think I need one!
« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2005, 06:25:57 AM »
Even in the Marlin 1895 in 444 Marlin

The .444 Marlin in the GG is offered here is the 2005 line up for Marlin.

Marlin Catalog in PDF Format
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