anyone use a 45-70 govt?

[sinawalli]

Was thinking of getting a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 govt, for the big critters. Does anyone here own one? What do you think of it? I know they used to considered the king of the long range cartridge, until the 375 H&H mag came out in 1923. Don't plan to shoot it at anything more than 200 yards.

[Mikey]

how big is big critters

45-70 is a great cartridge but not very common

the only critter out there that would make sure I have knock down power like that for is Polar and grizzly bears ....but I dont forsee me me needing one in the near future .... 7mm, 300 win mag, even a 30-06 is plenty big enuf for "big critters" around these woods ie: elk, moose, even Caribou...and those rounds I listed I have seen at every small town general store that sells ammo

[Dillershortbow]

I have two but not the marlin i have a sharps BP only and a 1885 browning highwall witch can be cranked up to 2300 fps with a 350 grain bullit no bear will like that. Checkout http://www.huntingbc.ca/ do a search on 45-70 pretty popular rifle.

[Kirby]

Nope, don't own one yet... hoping to get a nice one at the kamloops gun show. Thinking it would be a nice back up gun for bears.

Kirby

[crazy_davey]

I own one and love it! The 45/70 has become very, very popular over the past four or so years, or should I say regained popularity, this old cartrige will be around forever. Great 200 and under gun, espesially if you reload. I also reload for 45/70, lots of combos for almost everything.

A friend of mine used his on a deer this fall and it did less damage than the .270 I was using at the time. Pick the right ammo and it can be a great gun for almost everything!

:D
Here is mine
http://forum.bowzone.ca/gallery/files/1/3/4/8/2005_0711guns0001.JPG

[Wapiti]

I own one i haven't shot it that much lately but with the new ammo that hornady has come out with i will be using it alot more. :beer: :beer: :beer:


http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=198

[jethrobuddy]

Yup, I got one. I have the guide gun model with the 18.5" barrel. It's a nice little(big) gun.

[Redgreen]

I have a ruger #1 in 45 70. Sold the 1895 because I can load the ruger hotter. It'll stop an elephant with the right bullet.

[genehuntfish]

45-70


If you want to own a 45-70 !!!!!!!!!!!
Then buy the rifle in a single shot Ruger or the Sharps......it will get the maximum out of this great caliber.
This caliber was used out to 1000 yards match shoots in the 1870's by the Irish and the americans.
And if you are looking for safety issues..then the falling block setup is the way to go.
Whatever you do.....do not load the max loads in any other rifles that are made.
The lever action models will blow up in your face, plus the accuracy is 10 times better in the single shots.

genehuntfish

[crazy_davey]

I have a ruger #1 in 45 70. Sold the 1895 because I can load the ruger hotter. It'll stop an elephant with the right bullet.
So will a Modern Marlin with the right load
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/images/26.jpg

If you want to own a 45-70 !!!!!!!!!!!
Then buy the rifle in a single shot Ruger or the Sharps......it will get the maximum out of this great caliber.
This caliber was used out to 1000 yards match shoots in the 1870's by the Irish and the americans.
And if you are looking for safety issues..then the falling block setup is the way to go.
Whatever you do.....do not load the max loads in any other rifles that are made.
The lever action models will blow up in your face, plus the accuracy is 10 times better in the single shots.

genehuntfish
Reply With Quote

People all over the world load max loads in MODERN leverguns everyday :confused:

The Ruger number 1 is a great single shot rifle! But dont under estimate a modern Marlin 1895 made after 1972 for strength, if you dont believe me just ask Elmer Kieth :D. I use Kieths tried tested and true 45-70 load of 53 grains of 4895 behind a 405g bullet and I think it I get about 1800 FPS, and a pressure of about 26,300, but I would have to look for sure. A very accurate load for this rifle, but I will tell you now, you wont be shooting it all day at the range. I have loaded up to 55g but start loosing accuracy after 53, probably because it starts to hurt like a SOB shooting off a bench.

The 1886 browning/Winchester made after 1972 is not all that far off for strength either, can be loaded just the same as the modern Marlins.

But yes, the Ruger and the Sharps and other falling block actions can be loaded quite a bit hotter than the others. I am pretty sure Elmer was loading a Ruger number 1 with over 60g of powder, man would that hurt :???:. Most reloading manuals say around 57g is the max for these rifles, but they have to say that to stay on the safe side of things.

A friend of mine owns a Ruger number 1 in 45-70 and it is a joy to shoot, I want one.

You really have to watch out for the old 1873 Springfield trap door models, and all levers made before 1972, These are very weak and cannot withstand todays modern loads. Marlins, Winchetser and Brownings included.

What I would really like to get is a 50-70 government model Sharps, now that would be fun! Good luck on that one :crybaby:

P.S. If you are not going to reload for a 45-70 then it doesnt really matter what rifle you have, all can handle todays factory bought loads, and still have great stopping power. But reloading for a 45-70 is the way to go to get the most out of this great calibre.

[crazy_davey]

This is another I would really like to get my little paws on, a .50 calibre Alaskan co-pilot take down

http://www.wildwestguns.com/CoPilot_And_Guide_Rifles/body_copilot_and_guide_rifles.html

They dont want to deal with Canadians, but I am sure there is some way around it. The price is pretty crazy though :shock:

P.S. It is built on a modern Marlin 1895 45-70 action, for those of you who think leverguns blow up in your face under max loads :lol:

[crazy_davey]

Just did a quick google for some of you who want to read more on the 45-70, especialy lever guns.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_9_50/ai_n6125519

Article on Marlins new 45-70 by John Taffin
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/marlin_4570.htm

And for those of you who want to shoot max loads but dont want to reload here is some really great ammo, but very expensive at the same time. Some good reading on this page as well. THESE ARE NOT FACTORY LOADS AND CAN NOT BE LOADED IN THE OLDER LEVER GUNS :nono:
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/products.asp

Modern 45-70 performance
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/050100.asp

:cheers:

[Quebec Outfitter]

I have an 1895g in .450 marlin, i am sure that you will enjoy it as much as i do mine. shot bear and deer with it without much more dammage than with my 06 or 7mag and usualy carry it when guiding for moose because it is nice and short for waking through thick brush. i had the same gun in the 45/70 but figured i would keep the .450 because of higher oomph and i can always reload them down to the 45/70 balistics, and traded it for a .243 for predators. As far as stopping power goes both of them are real thumpers, and dont cost an arm and a leg to shoot.

[jethrobuddy]

What do you all have on your 45-70's for sights? Scopes? Factory iron sights? Ghost rings from XS Sights? Tang? How do the groups look, at the yardage you use the guns at in the field?

[crazy_davey]

Open sights on mine and I can get a little under a 3" group at 100 yards on average, not bad considering I can hardly see the target. One of my buddies has a Williams peep on his and can get around a 2" group at 100.

There are so many variables that can effect accuracy in any rifle, but open sights is a whole other game.

[Quebec Outfitter]

Factory sights on my .450, but have installed a Leupold 3x9.

[Dillershortbow]

I love my 45-70s my browning high wall i have 2 loads one i use reloader 7 or AAA2015 both give me 2350- 2400 fps with a 350 grain. its light to pack i just use factory sights it came with.

[jethrobuddy]

Nice shooting crazy_davey. I can do that at about 60yds, then I loose my sight picture. I have a Leupold 1.5-5 with quick detach rings on it. I had thoughts of using both types of sights, but it seems the scope stays on for one reason or another.

[crazy_davey]

Nice shooting crazy_davey. I can do that at about 60yds, then I loose my sight picture. I have a Leupold 1.5-5 with quick detach rings on it. I had thoughts of using both types of sights, but it seems the scope stays on for one reason or another.

Lots of practice. I just finished loading over three hundread more 45-70 rounds. I know what you mean about loosing your sight picture on targets, I have found that I need just the right target for shooting at longer ranges with open sights especially the big bead front sight of the Marlins. But in my opinion the Marlins were not meant for shooting paper with, they are meant for bigger and better things.

I am picking up a guide gun soon in a trade. Got two hands might as well have two 45-70's :D

[crazy_davey]

Hey Jethrobuddy I noticed you own a 1895GG. Do you own the ported version or the non ported?

[jethrobuddy]

It is the ported version. Way to loud. As for muzzle jump.I can't tell you if it is better or worse than without the porting. I would assume it is better. The gun shoots like a dream with the scope on and of a rest at 100yds. If the gun didn't shoot as good as it does, I would of considered flogging it an buying a stainless version without porting. ( The 60yd grouping I was talking about in my earlier post was with open sights that came with the gun. Just wanted to clarify .)

[crazy_davey]

Here are both of mine
http://forum.bowzone.ca/gallery/files/1/3/4/8/2006_0414Image0002.JPG

I think I own 12 lever actions at the moment, but that seems to change on a day to day basis :wink: :wink:

[Patsplace]

I have a stainless Guide Gun, Un-ported with Brockman Tritium sights and shoot a 450 grain cast bullet. Accurate for me out to about 150 yards. but it's the gun that makes it. Tiny little really fast handling gun. Couldn't ask for better for close range and the Tritium is a delight to have in camp when there's a Moose hanging.

It's the first gun in a long time that I bought because I felt that it filled a need in a pretty substantial collection.

Pat

[Gilliesuit]

I own the H & R 1895 buffalo classic single shot break action. It has the shallow balard style rifling so it won't shoot jacketed ammo worth a dam. However, it shoots lead cast bullets beautifully.

I shoot a 405 grain lead cast bullet with 27 grains of IMR 3031 powder and winchester large rifle primers. It puts up 1 inch groups at 100 yards no problem.

I've shot all kinds of critters with it. Does a fine job as long as you hit em in the boiler room. Shoulder shots get a little messy.

Anyway I like it and it does the job. Something different if you ask me.