Custom 45-70 Marlin

Accuracy or reliability?

  • Accuracy

  • Reliability

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ahamburg

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Feb 13, 2018
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Greetings,

I haven’t posted on here in a LONG time. I’ve had a question in my head for a while now, and I’m really curious. Which of the following gunsmiths would be best for the 45-70 Marlin that I want custom made?

I understand that each gunsmith brings something a little different to the table than the others, so which fits the bill for me?

I want a custom 45-70 for hunting and predator defense, along with throwing lead on the range. I live in an area where we get a heavy amount of all the seasons, so a rifle that can weather the elements is a must(ie. synthetic or other weather resistant material). I also want the action to cycle very quickly and reliably be able to feed all kinds of ammunition.

I know that grizzly custom is known for reliability, weather resistance, and able to fire anything you put in it (according to Lew the 540 grain Garrett hog stompers), and for their through bolt retention stock (which I like a lot).

I know that Ranger Point Precision is known for their custom replacement parts and for being highly accurate.

Wild West Guns is known for their custom features yet lower price, nearly half of the others.

Everything else seems few, far and between.

The exact specs of the rifle I’d like built are as follows:

- 45-70 Marlin
- 20 inch threaded barrel
- 6 round capacity
- Weather resistant stock and fore end
- Capable of 1 inch or better groupings at 100 yards
- Action smooth like butter
- Replace any cheap plastic parts with metal ones (ie. the magazine follower)
- Quality sights (I shoot competetively with peep sights, but I’d like something that has quicker target acquisition yet is still very accurate)

Basically I care the most about the threaded barrel, 1 inch or better groupings, smooth action, and no cheap parts.

Everything else is icing on the cake!

So which of the custom gunsmiths (that I have or haven’t mentioned) would be best for this?

I really like grizzly custom, but the only thing stopping me is I don’t know how accurate his rifles are or if he replaces the cheap plastic parts?

Same with RPR, but I don’t know how well they cycle compared to a GC.

I will take any and all advice!

Thanks in advance!

P.S.

Price is not a factor here, so don’t worry about that. However, if money can be saved, I’d like to save money!
 
My question was what custom smith would do what I’m asking for THE BEST. I understand they can all do it, I just want to know who does it the best.

Out of all the custom 45-70 lever gun smiths, who makes the most accurate? The smoothest? The most reliable? The most customizable? Etc.
 
cdb1 said:
I don’t understand the poll.
Click to expand...

Me either. If someone is asking about custom riflework at the level of these makers and naive enough to think they’ll be trading accuracy for reliability, or vice versa, it just doesn’t make sense to add momentum to what’s already a mess...
 
Don’t matter how accurate it is if it won’t feed reliably every single time as far as who is the best Smith for this no clue I’d ask for references though
 
ahamburg said:
Ok, but what makes clements better than say ranger point or wwg? Do you have personal experience with them?
Click to expand...

I know him personally but he's done no work for me. Guess I misread your post. Thought you were looking for those who could do the work. David works wonders with the Marlin though he specializes in a necked down version of the 45/70. I'll add to the others & say call him. He's the expert, not me.
 
Am I behind the times? Is a MOA lever action a reasonable project?
There are 1-6X scopes giving speed and accuracy for three-gunners.
Marlin makes a stainless & laminate .45-70 that would be a good starting point.
 
ahamburg said:
Greetings,

I haven’t posted on here in a LONG time. I’ve had a question in my head for a while now, and I’m really curious. Which of the following gunsmiths would be best for the 45-70 Marlin that I want custom made?

I understand that each gunsmith brings something a little different to the table than the others, so which fits the bill for me?

I want a custom 45-70 for hunting and predator defense, along with throwing lead on the range. I live in an area where we get a heavy amount of all the seasons, so a rifle that can weather the elements is a must(ie. synthetic or other weather resistant material). I also want the action to cycle very quickly and reliably be able to feed all kinds of ammunition.

I know that grizzly custom is known for reliability, weather resistance, and able to fire anything you put in it (according to Lew the 540 grain Garrett hog stompers), and for their through bolt retention stock (which I like a lot).

I know that Ranger Point Precision is known for their custom replacement parts and for being highly accurate.

Wild West Guns is known for their custom features yet lower price, nearly half of the others.

Everything else seems few, far and between.

The exact specs of the rifle I’d like built are as follows:

- 45-70 Marlin
- 20 inch threaded barrel
- 6 round capacity
- Weather resistant stock and fore end
- Capable of 1 inch or better groupings at 100 yards
- Action smooth like butter
- Replace any cheap plastic parts with metal ones (ie. the magazine follower)
- Quality sights (I shoot competetively with peep sights, but I’d like something that has quicker target acquisition yet is still very accurate)

Basically I care the most about the threaded barrel, 1 inch or better groupings, smooth action, and no cheap parts.

Everything else is icing on the cake!

So which of the custom gunsmiths (that I have or haven’t mentioned) would be best for this?

I really like grizzly custom, but the only thing stopping me is I don’t know how accurate his rifles are or if he replaces the cheap plastic parts?

Same with RPR, but I don’t know how well they cycle compared to a GC.

I will take any and all advice!

Thanks in advance!

P.S.

Price is not a factor here, so don’t worry about that. However, if money can be saved, I’d like to save money!
Click to expand...
 
Most of mine, made after the 1980’s, have been ~1moa rifles... straight out of the box...
 
Amazing.
But then a friend got a Winchester Model 92 .38-40 down to an inch and a half after endless trials of loads and bench position, so I should not be surprised. Sounds like the OP should get his Marlin dressed however he likes and not worry about accuracy because it will already be good.
 
I have only heard of Wild West Guns and would not use them. I don't know how you think they're less expensive. They want $3500 for their .44 Co-pilot and don't even change the 1-38" twist barrel. For that much you should get a .475 or .500 conversion with a new barrel. Same for Grizzly, they want $2000-$3000 or more for a rifle with just basic tuning and sights.

Those I would use are Nonneman, Dave Clay, Mic McPherson, Z-hat, Turnbull or Jack Huntington. My comments are going to be more general.

For $2500 you can buy a Bighorn Armory .500S&W and have a far better rifle than any rebuilt Marlin could ever be.

1MOA sounds great and I have a couple leverguns that do it but why? The .45-70 is not capable of the range at which it would be necessary. 2MOA is a more reasonable goal and won't be a hindrance.

I don't know what "cheap plastic parts" you're referring to. The follower is often replaced but in nearly 40yrs of shooting leverguns, I've never had a problem with one.

For sights, the XS ghost ring would do what you want. You can also install a scout rail with a built-in peep sight if you want to also mount an optic.


All that said, what you want is pretty basic stuff. An action/trigger job, sights, barrel threading and finish work. You don't need a $3000 package for that. Buy one of the laminate versions and you don't have to worry about the stock. All you really need is this one with an action job and new sights.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/marlin-1895gsbl-45-70-olive-stock-demo.html?___SID=U#.W9Cd3c5KiUk
 
If I was going to pay for a custom it would be a 460 smith probably. Fit a few extra rounds in the tube and give up very little velocity. Possibly you could plink with some 454’s or 45colts too depending on if it gets finicky. You’d also have the ability for a “reasonable size” sidearm to match.
 
Wow, those Big Horn Armory rifles are nice! I see your point in buying one of those over a worked over (and not always that worked over) Marlin.
 
I bought a Marlin .45/70 back in the 1970s and found nothing wanting. It was stock and yet could give 1" at 100 yards back when I could still see worth a flip. This was with my handloads which propelled a 400 grain sp at 1800 fps.
 
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