.45-70 Rifles (Lever-Action AND Bolt)
I'm looking into acquiring a rifle chambered in .45-70, and I'm interested in two configurations: lever-action, and bolt. As far as lever-action goes, I find the Marlin 1895 Cowboy to be fairly attractive, though I know not how good it is for durability, reliability and overall quality. I've been to the Winchester website, but they only have that goofy-looking "1886 Lite" listed, which I find unappealing. Apparently, they don't make the full-length 1886 anymore. Can anyone reccommend either a website or rifle model for a good lever-action .45-70? I find it hard to believe that Marlin is the only one who's cranking them out. NOW....As far as possible bolt-actions goes, I've seen those stubby little Gibbs rifles built on the Enfield action, and I'm not too keen on that idea. I'd like something with a longer barrel and not so "sporterized"---something more along the line of a full-stock configuration. I've searched the Web and come up empty-handed, so any advice or info on this particular bit of lunacy would be greatly appreciated too. My apologies if this has already been covered here, but since things change, one never knows if someone has some fresh insight on this since the last go-around!
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I have an Marlin 1895 cowboy in 45/70. I really haven't had time to thoroughly put it through its paces. I've put a couple boxes of cartridges through it, and am shooting about 3" groups at 100 yds. I think that with more experience with the rifle, and tinkering around with handloads, I can improve that dramatically. I am very pleased with the quality, fit & feel of the rifle. Excspt for that stupid cross-bolt safety. I've been seriousley thinking that I might need a Ruger #1 in a 45/70 real soon.
Proud member of the NRA
When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion.
Abraham Lincoln
If I had only known, I would have been a locksmith.
Albert Einstein0 -
you cann't go wrong with the marlin, i've also got one of those win. 1886's and it is also a fine rifle. the older win. 86's weigh a lot more than this one. the new one is a very good reproduction (except fot the tang safety). 0 -
Mike: Where did you get the reproduction 1886 Winchester? 0 -
I own both original and new model 1985 Marlins and like them a lot. I also use the new Model 1895 Cowboy and like it better then the shorter barrled versions,but, still think that it is a little to light. It would be better with a heavier barrel. After shooting with the factory sights, the first thing that I did was to remove the factory rear sight and replace it with a Williams peep sight with the low light aperture. This improved accuracy a great deal and in the woods, is faster to use then any scope as you can shoot with both eyes open. Deer hit by the .45-70 don't go anywhere. If not killed outright, they just lay there and wait for you to walk up and finish them. Not many need a second shot. This is a great cartridge for the reloader. I cast my own bullets and cast them softer then those available from the commercial casters as I find the softer bullets to be more effective then the harder ones. With bullets fired at 1700-1750 fps. the .45-70 is a true 200 yard rifle. Beyond that distance the .45-70 is still a great killer, but, range estimation becomes critical due to the trajectory. Safe working pressure for the Marlin 1895 is around 40,000 psi.
As to the bolt action, if you do not like the short Gibbs Enfields (I don't either) Then look for a rifle built on the Siamese Mauser action. They are stronger then the Marlin, but I don't think near as handy.
What ever you decide, best of luck.
Scout0 -
The 1895 Marlin is a gun that you can't go wrong with. 
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Can the 1895 handle the heavier (500 gr) bullets and is it possible to shhot blackpowder loads through it w/o gumming up the works?
PS - Don't mean to hijack you here, trstone.0 -
I have the 1895 Marlin with the microgroove rifled barrel. Plus side is it will shoot three shot groups at 50 yds with all holes touching. Down side is you cant shoot cast bullets in it for plinking. The prices on these seem to have come down now that deep rifled Marlins are available. 0 -
Ever consider a single shot?
My Wesson&Harrington Buffalo Classic was very accurate but a bit heavy(Nine pounds w/scope).
BW
IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.0 -
get ya a thompson contender 45/70
Its really hard to soar with the Eagles, when you are stuck with turkeys!0 -
Because of the rim the 45/70 is not suited in bolt actions generally. The Siamese Mauser was rimmed and can be converted ,though expensive to do.The Marlin in 45/70 is the simplest way to go. If I were you I;d take a good look at the 450 Marlin . The 45/70 is not as powerful or accurate as the 450.If you dont like the Marlin lever action then any 98 Mauser,Remington,Winchester or other action can be rebarrelled to the 450. Any you already have can be converted to it. Study the ballistics ,you will see it is better than the old 45/70 which is mild in comparison.
I built one for myself on an FN 98 action and love it.It shoots 3 shots in a cloverleaf touching each other at 100 yds. I took two deer with it in Nov. and without a doubt it is the deadliest thing in the woods.
The Lyman reloading manual has 3 different sections for 45/70 . One for the old rifles(mild like factory) one for Marlins (medium)and one for Ruger and T/C single shots - hot.
The factory Hornady 450 is better
than any of them.0 -
The only reason for buying the Marlin 450 is if you don't reload. In a strong action rifle, the .45-70 will do everything that the 450 will do and is just as accurate. For most game shooting with black powder type cartridges velocity takes a back seat to bullet diameter, weight and momentum. This is why these cartridges kill all out of proportion to their velocity.
The Model 1895 Marlin will not handle the long 500 grain bullet without the bullet being seated so deep into the case that the powder capacity is greatly reduced. Overall cartridge length for the Marlin is 2.55 inches. Black powder is black powder. You will get just as much goo with the Marlin as with any other type of rifle.0 -
Don't anyone be betting the farm that the .450 Marlin is faster than the 45-70 in a modern firearm. Actually, the .450 has a SMALLER case capacity than the 45-70, so the 45-70 can be loaded just a little more stiff than the .450. Any of the Marlin 1895's built on the 336 action can and will duplicate any load you poke into a .450. I'm not advocating you stick these loads in the older trapdoors or blackpowder rifles, but you surely can the Win '86's, Marlin 1895's and T/C's. The Ruger #l and modern bolt actions are another class for even higher pressure 45-70 loads.
Keep off the Ridgeline0
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