45-70 - The Firearms Forum

merc · 08-21-2003, 06:18 PM

Hi everyone
I am considering buying a Marlin lever action (1895?) in 45-70 gov't.
Any thoughts?
Good all around for close black bear and deer?
I saw 2 used ones in the local shop for 350 each.
They look new.
what do you think?

inplanotx · 08-21-2003, 06:32 PM

Merc, I have a 1895G and 1895SS. You need to find out the exact model. The money doesn't sound bad, but which one ya buying? I have both of the above plus a Browning 1886 lever in 45-70. Love them all, but partial to the Browning. The guide gun is real nice in that it is short and sweet. Nothing like putting a 405 gr Remington in motion and watching your shoulder move back two feet!

Close Black Bear will turn the sun of a gun inside out. A deer? You'll find his pieces in the next county. Massive meat damage up close!

Boomatic · 08-22-2003, 08:31 AM

Wow...here I go agreein' with a Texan again!

I owned a guide gun in 45-70. Very nice little guy. But as plano said, they do pack a wallop! I had to give mine up when they stuck a pacemaker in my shoulder...too much recoil!

Gotta agree, too, a on the deer aspect...overkill definitely applies here.

Xracer · 08-22-2003, 08:47 AM

"Good all around for close black bear and deer?"

Hell yes.....and moose, and the occasional stray elephant!

Seriously......probably more gun than you need for even the largest New Hampshire buck or black bear. One nice thing about that ol' .45-70 bullet, though....it doesn't get deflected in even the heaviest cover. Plows right thru twigs, bushes, branches, and even the occasional tree!

Boomatic · 08-22-2003, 01:59 PM

...the occasional buick...

08-21-2003, 06:18 PM	#1
merc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 309	45-70 Hi everyone I am considering buying a Marlin lever action (1895?) in 45-70 gov't. Any thoughts? Good all around for close black bear and deer? I saw 2 used ones in the local shop for 350 each. They look new. what do you think? __________________ Merc Living without Liberty is not Living -->

08-21-2003, 06:32 PM	#2
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Merc, I have a 1895G and 1895SS. You need to find out the exact model. The money doesn't sound bad, but which one ya buying? I have both of the above plus a Browning 1886 lever in 45-70. Love them all, but partial to the Browning. The guide gun is real nice in that it is short and sweet. Nothing like putting a 405 gr Remington in motion and watching your shoulder move back two feet! Close Black Bear will turn the sun of a gun inside out. A deer? You'll find his pieces in the next county. Massive meat damage up close! __________________ Last edited by inplanotx; 08-21-2003 at 06:34 PM..

08-22-2003, 08:31 AM	#3
Boomatic Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,088	Wow...here I go agreein' with a Texan again! I owned a guide gun in 45-70. Very nice little guy. But as plano said, they do pack a wallop! I had to give mine up when they stuck a pacemaker in my shoulder...too much recoil! Gotta agree, too, a on the deer aspect...overkill definitely applies here. __________________ Boom-a-tic Boomer Sooner!!

08-22-2003, 01:59 PM	#5
Boomatic Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,088	...the occasional buick... __________________ Boom-a-tic Boomer Sooner!!

08-22-2003, 08:47 AM	#4
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	"Good all around for close black bear and deer?" Hell yes.....and moose, and the occasional stray elephant! Seriously......probably more gun than you need for even the largest New Hampshire buck or black bear. One nice thing about that ol' .45-70 bullet, though....it doesn't get deflected in even the heaviest cover. Plows right thru twigs, bushes, branches, and even the occasional tree!