Can't decide which 45-70 to get. - The Firearms Forum

gunnywannabe · 09-24-2012, 06:33 PM

I've been drouling over the marlin 1895sbl 18.5" barrel 45-70($693) for awhile now and its getting close to time to purchase but I've found the H&R 72770 Buffalo Classic CR-1871 Break Open 45-70 Gov 32" barrel($384) and its making me constantly go back and forth. The classic is much cheaper and would allow me to buy another gun sooner which is cool but its not as pretty and is only a single shot. I need to be swayed one way or the other. My questions are: Will the H&R have alot farther shooting range? Will it be able to handle bigger loads than the marlin because its not a lever action gun?(I have read that lever action guns can't handle the bigger loads I don't know if its true). Thanks for any input and opinions!

cpttango30 · 09-24-2012, 07:19 PM

Stick to the marlin. Maybe get on ********* or guns america and look for a used one.

sting75ray · 09-24-2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnywannabe

I've been drouling over the marlin 1895sbl 18.5" barrel 45-70($693) for awhile now and its getting close to time to purchase but I've found the H&R 72770 Buffalo Classic CR-1871 Break Open 45-70 Gov 32" barrel($384) and its making me constantly go back and forth. The classic is much cheaper and would allow me to buy another gun sooner which is cool but its not as pretty and is only a single shot. I need to be swayed one way or the other. My questions are: Will the H&R have alot farther shooting range? Will it be able to handle bigger loads than the marlin because its not a lever action gun?(I have read that lever action guns can't handle the bigger loads I don't know if its true). Thanks for any input and opinions!

I had one of the H&R single shots in 38-55 and I hated it. Sold it after about 6 months and found myself a NIB Winchester Chief Crazy Horse 38-55. I love it and it is no longer NIB. For my 45-70 I have a Sharps reproduction and it shoot great. I think the Marlin would be a nice rifle.

TheGunClinger · 09-24-2012, 07:58 PM

Look and drool no further my friend.

gunnywannabe · 09-24-2012, 09:14 PM

Looks like the marlin is the favorite. I was leaning towards it anyways...Thanks for all the advice

TheGunClinger · 09-24-2012, 09:51 PM

Where do you see the Marlin for $693.00 ? I paid like 800 something for mine from Buds Guns.

gunnywannabe · 09-24-2012, 10:51 PM

Sportsworld in tulsa oklahoma.

packetsplace · 09-25-2012, 07:14 PM

Ruger no 1. Everything else is a compromise.

polishshooter · 09-25-2012, 08:12 PM

My buddy bought a standard Marlin 95 in .45-70 and did a lot of research on loading for them.

Most factory loads are loaded down a little bit so people don't blow up their old trap doors.

The lever Marlins can be loaded up a little more, and the Ruger #1 can be loaded up even higher.

In fact many manuals list at least two different sections for the .45-70..."normal" (40,000cup) for the Marlins and "heavy" (50,000 cup)for only the Rugers...and my 1980 Hornady manual has THREE pages, another lower power one (25,000 cup) for Trap Doors, other replicas, AND the H&R Shikari, which I think is the earlier version of the H&R you were looking at...

The .45-70 sections are in fact labeled '.45-70 (Trap Door,)" ".45-70 (1895)" and ".45-70 (Ruger.)"

myfriendis410 · 09-26-2012, 09:42 AM

In fact; all factory 45/70 ammo is loaded under 29,200 c.u.p. unless otherwise specified. This is still too hot for Trapdoor actions but is fine for 1874 actions and all lever guns. If you want a lever gun take a look at the Marlin 1895 Cowboy--it has a 26" octagon barrel and a full length magazine tube with deep, ballard cut rifling. It's also IMO a more faithful version of the 1895 than the stainless 18.5" gun, which has a reputation for delivering fearsome blast and noise along with stiff recoil.

If going with a single shot I would recommend the Ruger #1--but it would be a handloader's platform to take full advantage of the action strength. My personal favorite is a Sharps Repro, but again, it's basically a gun for the handloader to play with.

Also; if you are interested in heavy bullets (think 500 gr. or heavier), the lever rifles will limit you in your powder choice to maintain a shorter c.o.a.l. than you need with a single shot. If you want to load up to the rim of insanity, go with the #1 which will take 60,000 psi--basically a .458 win mag. If you want a handy brush gun, shooting factory ammo, the 1895 is an excellent choice.

carver · 09-26-2012, 10:15 AM

My brother has the Buffalo Classic, and is just starting to reload. Will this gun handle stout loads? Will it shoot the Ruger loads?

gunnywannabe · 09-26-2012, 05:49 PM

Thanks for the advice and information. I'll take it all into consideration before I buy.

old semperfi · 09-26-2012, 06:07 PM

i have owned both,i did not get the kind of accuracy from the marlin guide gun in stainless that i like.the marlin will accept the hotter loads.i purchased the buffalo classic and fell in love,it will also accept the hotter loads and has both the ability to accept a scope and numerous frount sight blades to change.the williams peep sight is great.when shooting factory loads you can actually see the bullet.my reloads were almost up to 458 win mag standards and not too many people wanted to shoot it twice.i think if you are going to hunt dangerous game then buy the marlin,four rounds is better than one.if your wanting something to shoot at the range or your confident in your ability the buy the h@r. old semperfi

gunnywannabe · 10-01-2012, 01:16 PM

Thanks old semperfi

zkovach · 10-08-2012, 08:11 PM

I owned a 1895 and didn't like it. I'm a larger guy and the frame or overall size of the gun was to small for me. I was uncomfortable holding it therefore I didn't shoot well with it. It's A great gun but not a good fit for me. Just my 2 cents

zkovach · 10-08-2012, 08:13 PM

The buffalo classic is nice as well my buddy has one and it's his go to deer rifle

GLS_1956 · 10-15-2012, 03:02 PM

Winchester/Browning High Wall

Sandman · 10-16-2012, 10:03 AM

The H&R will allow you to hunt during the primitive weapons season in many states. The Marlin will not. I bought a Handi-Rifle for that reason alone.

09-24-2012, 07:19 PM	#2
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Stick to the marlin. Maybe get on ********* or guns america and look for a used one.

09-24-2012, 07:58 PM	#4
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,381	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Look and drool no further my friend. Attached Images __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

09-24-2012, 09:14 PM	#5
gunnywannabe Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Looks like the marlin is the favorite. I was leaning towards it anyways...Thanks for all the advice

09-24-2012, 09:51 PM	#6
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,381	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Where do you see the Marlin for $693.00 ? I paid like 800 something for mine from Buds Guns. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

09-24-2012, 10:51 PM	#7
gunnywannabe Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Sportsworld in tulsa oklahoma.

09-24-2012, 06:33 PM	#1
gunnywannabe Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7	Can't decide which 45-70 to get. I've been drouling over the marlin 1895sbl 18.5" barrel 45-70($693) for awhile now and its getting close to time to purchase but I've found the H&R 72770 Buffalo Classic CR-1871 Break Open 45-70 Gov 32" barrel($384) and its making me constantly go back and forth. The classic is much cheaper and would allow me to buy another gun sooner which is cool but its not as pretty and is only a single shot. I need to be swayed one way or the other. My questions are: Will the H&R have alot farther shooting range? Will it be able to handle bigger loads than the marlin because its not a lever action gun?(I have read that lever action guns can't handle the bigger loads I don't know if its true). Thanks for any input and opinions! -->

09-25-2012, 07:14 PM	#8
packetsplace V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 161	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Ruger no 1. Everything else is a compromise.

09-25-2012, 08:12 PM	#9
polishshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. My buddy bought a standard Marlin 95 in .45-70 and did a lot of research on loading for them. Most factory loads are loaded down a little bit so people don't blow up their old trap doors. The lever Marlins can be loaded up a little more, and the Ruger #1 can be loaded up even higher. In fact many manuals list at least two different sections for the .45-70..."normal" (40,000cup) for the Marlins and "heavy" (50,000 cup)for only the Rugers...and my 1980 Hornady manual has THREE pages, another lower power one (25,000 cup) for Trap Doors, other replicas, AND the H&R Shikari, which I think is the earlier version of the H&R you were looking at... The .45-70 sections are in fact labeled '.45-70 (Trap Door,)" ".45-70 (1895)" and ".45-70 (Ruger.)" __________________ The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living. Last edited by polishshooter; 09-25-2012 at 08:17 PM..

09-26-2012, 09:42 AM	#10
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 542	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. In fact; all factory 45/70 ammo is loaded under 29,200 c.u.p. unless otherwise specified. This is still too hot for Trapdoor actions but is fine for 1874 actions and all lever guns. If you want a lever gun take a look at the Marlin 1895 Cowboy--it has a 26" octagon barrel and a full length magazine tube with deep, ballard cut rifling. It's also IMO a more faithful version of the 1895 than the stainless 18.5" gun, which has a reputation for delivering fearsome blast and noise along with stiff recoil. If going with a single shot I would recommend the Ruger #1--but it would be a handloader's platform to take full advantage of the action strength. My personal favorite is a Sharps Repro, but again, it's basically a gun for the handloader to play with. Also; if you are interested in heavy bullets (think 500 gr. or heavier), the lever rifles will limit you in your powder choice to maintain a shorter c.o.a.l. than you need with a single shot. If you want to load up to the rim of insanity, go with the #1 which will take 60,000 psi--basically a .458 win mag. If you want a handy brush gun, shooting factory ammo, the 1895 is an excellent choice. __________________ Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.....

09-26-2012, 10:15 AM	#11
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,227	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. My brother has the Buffalo Classic, and is just starting to reload. Will this gun handle stout loads? Will it shoot the Ruger loads? __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

09-26-2012, 05:49 PM	#12
gunnywannabe Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Thanks for the advice and information. I'll take it all into consideration before I buy.

09-26-2012, 06:07 PM	#13
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. i have owned both,i did not get the kind of accuracy from the marlin guide gun in stainless that i like.the marlin will accept the hotter loads.i purchased the buffalo classic and fell in love,it will also accept the hotter loads and has both the ability to accept a scope and numerous frount sight blades to change.the williams peep sight is great.when shooting factory loads you can actually see the bullet.my reloads were almost up to 458 win mag standards and not too many people wanted to shoot it twice.i think if you are going to hunt dangerous game then buy the marlin,four rounds is better than one.if your wanting something to shoot at the range or your confident in your ability the buy the h@r. old semperfi

10-01-2012, 01:16 PM	#14
gunnywannabe Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Thanks old semperfi

10-08-2012, 08:11 PM	#15
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. I owned a 1895 and didn't like it. I'm a larger guy and the frame or overall size of the gun was to small for me. I was uncomfortable holding it therefore I didn't shoot well with it. It's A great gun but not a good fit for me. Just my 2 cents __________________ Liberalism: Poverty for ALL!!

10-08-2012, 08:13 PM	#16
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. The buffalo classic is nice as well my buddy has one and it's his go to deer rifle __________________ Liberalism: Poverty for ALL!!

10-15-2012, 03:02 PM	#17
GLS_1956 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Great State of Oklahoma Posts: 73	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. Winchester/Browning High Wall

10-16-2012, 10:03 AM	#18
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: Can't decide which 45-70 to get. The H&R will allow you to hunt during the primitive weapons season in many states. The Marlin will not. I bought a Handi-Rifle for that reason alone.