Marlin 1895 45/70 range report

[bikemutt]

This is a followup to the Marlin 1895 I had converted from guide gun with straight stock to laminate pistol grip stock, big loop lever and Wild West components.

I scored a very nice used Nikon Monarch optic, 2.5-10x42, that I had in mind for this Marlin. Got it mounted yesterday.

Today was range day and there was sunshine, that's a good thing this time of year in the Pacific Northwest

I figured with the cost of 45/70 ammo where it is, I'd start at 50 yards. Ammo was Blackhills 405 grain. Using WAtuckey windage, I got on the paper quick enough (#1) and took a couple pokes at the bullseye (#2).

Then moved to the top left (#3) and over to the top right (#4).

About then I figured out that this rifle wasn't going to hurt me, and it was warmed up. Group #5 materialized, one ragged hole of 3 bullets. I had one more round of Blackhills on hand so I moved right to #6 and pretty much confirmed the rifle is shooting straight.

Finished it off with some 325 grain Leverevolution I had on hand. Shot a bit higher, which I expected, and definitely had more punch.

Next stop of course is to stretch this out to 100, maybe even 200 yards. Who knew 45/70 could be this much fun?

 

[The_Next_Generation]

What's that big black tubular thing on top?? I kid

Not bad shooting though, now you just need to start reloading so you can shoot even MORE!

I just noticed you are in Renton, WA. Did you go to the Renton Fish and Game Club?

 

[bikemutt]

What's that big black tubular thing on top?? I kid

Not bad shooting though, now you just need to start reloading so you can shoot even MORE!

I just noticed you are in Renton, WA. Did you go to the Renton Fish and Game Club?

Yup, Renton F&G. I know, reloading is next on my list, 45/70 has me sucked in.

 

[Coltdriver]

I think a 45 70 is right up there just under a .22 for fun to shoot factor.

You may find yourself drawn to reloading sooner than you think! You can load that round from plinking class all the way up to downright uncomfortable. And as much as they sell 45 70 rounds for it is one where you can recoup a modest reloading set up pretty quickly plus have the benefit of choosing how warm you want to reload to.

I put a limbsaver on my Marlin 1895 (22 inch barrel version in blue). I am not a fan of massive recoil and the limbsaver makes a warm round bearable. I do not shoot the really hot rounds. The buffalo was wiped off the plains by 405 grain bullets being pushed around 1300 fps by 70 grains of black powder. I have not shot any game with mine yet but everyone that I know that has tells me that big round is a thumper.

My hunting load for elk this year will either be the 325 grain leverevolution hand load that is right at 2000 fps or my 405 grain dead soft lead that is right at 1450 fps.

With the leverevolution you could reasonably get out to 200 yards. The round has such an arc that, even though it can launch a bullet a mile, the ballistics mean you really have to know your distance to be accurate. For my 405 grain round 150 yards is as far as I would attempt and my intention is to get within 100 yards.

Welcome to Marlin lever rifle shooting! Let us know how you like it at greater distances.

I am adding this to harass all the purists out there who disdain a scope on a rifle like this. The bullet has such an arc that without a scope my old eyes would not trust a shot over 50 yards at game. I have a scope on mine. I used a Leupold with a ballistic reticle. Have not figured out where the elevation dots will let me shoot to yet but that is in my range schedule prior to my December hunt.

 

[peacemaker45]

What's that big black tubular thing on top?? I kid

I think it's a tumor. Hopefully it's operable, or at least responds to treatment.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Looks like your rifle shoots very well. It's a good looker too...

Last year I bought a used Marlin 1895 and before that I was shooting an original Springfield Trapdoor. I bought reloading dies for the 45-70 a few years before I bought the Trapdoor because I knew I would buy a 45-70 eventually. I could never afford to shoot either gun if I had to buy ammo for them. Some 45-70 ammo is up in the $50/$60 per box range!!!

I load 405gr lead ammo for the Trapdoor and 350gr XTP ammo for the Levergun.
My next project is to hunt down some Leverevolution bullets and load some of that ammo.
Factory LVR ammo $32/box
My LVR reloads $15.74/box

 

[Dean1818]

Looks awesome....... Thats ALOT of scope for that rifle / bullet

I am starting to love 1x4's on intermediate round rifles

 

[tubeshooter]

Thanks for this report!

As a levergun guy, I have always been a bit intrigued by the .45-70 caliber. I have never gone through with it, mostly due to the cost per round (I don't reload, yet) and to a lesser extent the recoil.

But maybe one day. If I ever become suddenly and wildly wealthy (i.e. hit the lottery) I would definitely add one to the stable.


Yours looks like a pretty good shooter! Congrats!

 

[cpt-t]

bikemutt: Looks like you have a winner there. Happyness is a fine shooten Marlin in a 45/70 Caliber. I am very happy for you. My Son and I both have 1895 Marlins 45/70 and we reload for them, it is the only way we can afford to shoot them as much as we want. You have a great Rifle & Scope. If we could ever help you we would be proud to do so.
ken

 

[BigBore44]

There sure isn't anything like "BigBore" rifles. When you finally decide to reload, you will be amazed how often you find yourself in the shop just so you can go out and shoot that rifle. In the world of "Magnum is always better" the 45-70 simply chose to thumb it's nose at the idea. 405's at 1300 fps will stop anything walking on any continent and won't punish your shoulder or you wallet in the process.

BTW: That is a very nice looking rifle. Should give you many many years of big smiles and very short blood trails. Congrats!

 

[Don McDowell]

Looking pretty good, but you keep searching for good loads. The Marlin I had would shoot clover leafs at 100 yds using 3031 and the hornady 350 gr bullets.
These days I shoot the 45-70 in single shot rifles , and enjoy shooting the buffalo gong matches to 1000 yds with blackpowder and heavy cast bullets.

 

[Jitterbug]

Nice gun and nice shooting! Makes me want to look into a model 1895SBL