The Marlin 1895 in 45-70 Govt.

[7]

Hi all!

Pics to follow!

I own 2 Glock 20sf's (10mm) but take the Marlin 1895 chambered in 45-70 Government with me also when i walk in the Alaska woods.  The 45-70 originally signified the bore (.458) and 70 grains of black powder.  Although black powder is not used today, the name stuck.  The old style (in a thoroughly modern design) lever gun shoots 300-525 gr hardened lead at between 1350-2000ish fps and will reliably shoot strait through--------end to end......... brown bear or buffalo regardless if through tissue or bone.  The heavy rounds will penetrate 20+ 1-gallon milk jugs full of water.  That's right, 20.

Its only limitation is its effective range of 225 yds.  Inside that, however, it will anchor anything walking or crawling on the planet.  It holds 6 in the tube magazine and 1 in the chamber.  Just love that thing..........like the 10mm!

[sqlbullet]

The box-o-truth did a penetration test of a variety of round one time and tested a 45-70 at the end. 

Their moral:  "Don't get in any gun fights with buffalo hunters. There ain't no such thing as cover."

Is your Marlin the Guide Gun or does it have a longer barrel?

[Deadguy]

the 1895 with the 22" barrel is my dream lever action rifle.

[Wilhelm]

The 45/70 has been getting popular in Alaska. Many are switching over from the 12 ga. pump for bear defense. Wild West Guns in Anchorage has been doing custom work on these for years. Lots of custom ammo available from Buffalo Bore and other small companies. Excellent choice even loaded with standard ammo.

[7]

My Marlin is the 1895 SBL (which are all made by Remington these days).  The SBL (Stainless/Black) is a version of the guide gun that took many of the improvements that shops like Wild West Guns/ Grizzly etc were doing to the Marlin Guide Gun and featured them on the factory gun.  The gun is all stainless and a black/grey laminate (for the Alaska weather).  It has an 18" barrel, the longer magazine tube (holds 6 rounds end to end), the large loop lever (nice with gloves), the pachmyr deceleration pad, and XS peep sights and tactical rail for optics----------all stock from the factory.

I have seen it set up with scopes, scout scopes, red dots, lasers etc.  I have a Nikon 1-4 scope on mine with a German #4 reticle which is perfect for me given the 200 yds or so effective range of the gun.  When i am fishing, I leave the scope off.

The Marlin is very accurate, very powerful, provides fast follow up shots, and is not at all punishing to shoot.  It pushes about like a 12ga.  My buddy says it is way easier on him than his light weight 30-06.

I use mine strictly as a defensive weapon when i fish (10mm back-up), but lots of guys hunt with them.  I have read about everything from deer to elk, buffalo, black and brown bear........even elephant and cape buffalo.

I tried to post a pic but the photo has to be on a photo website........cannot upload from the computer.  I love that gun............just something about a lever gun in a uniquely American cartridge like the 45-70 Government.

[harrygunner]

I too have a Marlin 1895 45-70. Mine was made in 1982 with a 22" barrel.

Wanted an older one without the lock the newer ones have. Found one at the Cabelas in Reno. Picked up a couple boxes of Buffalo Bore's 45-70 Magnum 405 gr. J.F.N. expander ammo for it. Will pick up some 430gr. Hard Cast penetrator in the future.

Now, all I need to do is make it to Alaska. Always wanted to visit. Funny, I've hesitated because of what I've heard about mosquitos there. I hate buzzing, biting insects. Guess I'll have to man up.

Marlins have a nice action. My other lever action is a Winchester 94 in 30-30. Had to have one. Happy to have it, but the Marlin is a nicer gun.

[hillbillyhans]

I live here in WY, and have thought about the Marlin, but I just love my M590A1 too much. I'm very familiar with it, and it doubles as my home protection piece. I can stuff it with 8 shot for grouse/doves, 4 shot for ducks/turkey, 00 #9's for home invasion, slugs for bear/deer/elk. I don't have the range with the pump gun, but I have alot of versatility, a capacity of 9, and less types of ammo I need to keep on hand. As it is now, I only need to stock 12/20ga., .22LR, 10mm, and .38sp. On a side note, my buddy Vic has one and it is the guide gun. It's sweet!

[cwlongshot]

Marlin made some great guns... Wish I could say the same for the Remington/Marlins...  :-

I am lucky enough to have a few Marlins of old and the 70's 1895 is a favorite of mine! I also have a Micro groove 1895 as well as a Guide gun but without the porting. (Benefits of living 10 miles form Marlin in North Haven CT AND knowing a VP, Tony Ashelman personally...) I bought one of the commemorative 1985's in French Grey, but "lost it" in a robbery of the store I bought it from...

2000 fps form 500g+ weight bullets is a bit of an exaggeration....  But 2000+fps from a 400g is VERY "doable" and shootable. I have a good pointed Gibbs mold (Modified to a GC) that throws a 500+ gr spitzer GC bullet. I can get it going 1600fps, but its very stout recoil and the case is pretty near full of powder as well that 500+G bullet takes up some space in the case ya know.

I have shot a bit of game with the too and prefer the 400g Speer and Remington for med game and the 350g RN Hornady for the tough stuff. I load mostly with 4198 but RL7 is another good choice for heavy loadings.

CW

[7]

The 325gr Hornady rounds are at 2000+fps, the heavier rounds are slower.  Sorry, I thought that would be obvious.

As for the Remington- Marlins, I will leave that to people with more knowledge and to the internet commandos.  I am always saddened though when a small company like Marlin with rich history and pride in workmanship is absorbed by a larger company like Remington.  I have not doubt that some things in the product get lost in the corporate move.

But the truth is that there were poor examples of Marlins out of New Haven just before the sale as the company fought with its employees and the city.  There were also some early Remington examples with poor quality control which have been fixed now or destroyed.  I have shot the old Marlins and the new ones built by Remington (which does have some history of their own producing quality firearms) and the new ones are as nice looking, powerful and accurate as the old ones. My particular rifle is accurate to 1 MOA or better and functions flawlessly with any ammo........probably not a museum piece though.......but its a working gun and i trust it in the role for which it was purchased which is self defense against large predators in Alaska.

[ennis]

I have always liked Marlin Lever gun action. They are stronger and simpler than the Winchesters plus the Marlins don't rattle. I own a 28", octagon barrel 93 Marlin, 30-30. It was made in 1913 and is still as solid as it was when new.  I was looking for a full length mag, octagon barrel 1895. The LTD III, came close, but I favor the pistol grip stock over the straight stock for helping me manage recoil. I swapped out the necessary parts from another 1895 that I had and I was a happy guy. There are one or two mods on the gun (sights, stainless follower, limbsaver pad) but nothing else too major.

[cwlongshot]

I agree!! I can tel you I own or have owned 95% of the Marlins made since 1950!!

The 35 and 375 ans 45s are my favorites!! 

CW

[ivanimal]

I own 2 of these other than my 300 win mag these get out the most. Fun as heck to reload for too!

[7]

Anyone considering the new Marlins............jump right in.  There were some bad examples of Marlins BEFORE the sale as the company fought with their employees and the city of New Haven AND some bad weapons right after the sale as Remington retooled and gained experience but I have a new 1895 in 45-70 that looks great, functions flawlessly, and shoots 1 MOA or less!  Love the SBL with the Stainless Steel, laminate stocks, ghost ring sights, large lever, and top rail..........oh extended mag tube also.

Carry my 10mm as back-up in the woods of Alaska and as primary everywhere else......but when hiking the trails, the .458 is out front. ha ha

[TGR]

the 1895 with the 22" barrel is my dream lever action rifle.

This is what I got with a Nikon 2-7x32 scope on it. Shoot my own cast 405gr lead bullets backed by 13.5grs of trailboss. Really accurate load for my rifle!

[BillR]

I see this thread is older, but I just saw it.  I have a 2000 Marlin GG.  Love it, small compact and plenty of firepower.  Bought some Garrrett +P 540 gr Hammerheads, rated at 1550 fps.  Shot 2 of them, first out of curiosity, second out of ignorance.