Marlin .45-70 for deer?

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Nematocyst, thanks for the link ... I REALLY want one of those! I bet they'll have a tough time keeping up with demand. :(


Marlin® Unveils Big Bore Series 1895SBL – The Ultimate “Guide Gun”

North Haven, CT – Guides and outfitters have placed their trust in Marlin lever-action carbine rifles for decades due to their rugged dependability, fast actions and compact stow-anywhere design. For 2009, Marlin takes the guide rifle to the extreme with the introduction of the Model 1895SBL.

The new 1895SBL is chambered for the legendary 45-70 Government; a round that has proven its worth on every North American big game species from Maine to Alaska. The 1895SBL is built to handle the worst mother nature can throw its way with stainless steel barrel, receiver, trigger guard plate, loading gate and enlarged loop lever. Other distinguishing features include a weather-impervious laminated stock, heavy 18 1/2-inch barrel and 6-shot full length tubular magazine.

Ready for a quick call to action, the 1895SBL features the durable XS® Ghost Ring Sight System which allows for faster target acquisition and improved accuracy over conventional sights. For those who prefer using optics, the 1895SBL comes standard with a XS lever rail that provides a rock-solid mounting platform for a variety of options including long eye relief scout scopes, traditional scopes and even red dot or holographic sights.
 
TexasRifleman said:
No mention of stock style.
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Nematocyst, the picture you posted shows the pistol grip stock ... is that picture from Marlin's website or is it of the "homemade" variety.

:)
 
the picture you posted shows the pistol grip stock
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Duh, somehow I missed the photo :)

Hope that's "production".

If so I'll be buying one the day it is available. That's been my one and only complaint with my GS
 
Nematocyst said:
No price set yet, apparently. I'm guessing it will run just under 4 figures.
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That sounds about right since I paid around $650 each for my Guide Gun and XLR. The XS lever rail with ghost rings sights is a $150 upgrade and the big loop lever is about the same. The extra capacity of the magazine tube (6 rounds) and the pistol grip stock (if they offer it that way) will make this a very popular item and hard to get I'm sure. They'll have to price it about 50% higher than the standard Guide Gun or else they won't sell any of those.

TexasRifleman said:
Duh, somehow I missed the photo

Hope that's "production".
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No biggie and me too!! :D
 
BillWeddlemuledeer1881Marlin12Nov07.jpg
I got this one with my 1881 Marlin 45-70, my reload of 330gr cast Lyman/Gould bullet and 2400 powder at 1550 FPS. I've shopt quite a few deer and coyotes with it. So far it knocks them all off there feet out to 180 yards. The one in the picture was 165 yards and trotting. There's hardly any meat damage compared to a high powered rifle.
 
Harve, I agree with my friend Mo. Great photo. Fine looking rifle.

Good data that this "old" cartridge will kick it out to 180.
And with iron sights, no less. :what:

I'm truly envious that you live in or near the Black Range.

That's one of the most beautiful ranges I've ever been in.
Driving east out of Silver across the Black Range is
one of the most awesome drives I ever did, and I did it repeatedly,
mostly after backpacking trips in the Gila on the way back up to ABQ.

The trip up the west side through the foothill switchbacks was always a treat.
The view looking east into the Rio Grande Valley from the pass defies words.
I can still smell the creosote (bush) while driving down after an August storm.

You're a lucky guy to be there.
 
Finally picked up one of these the other day.

I wanted an iron sited gun for brush hunting hogs and deer, and my 30.06 with a 4.5-14 scope makes acquisition difficult in real short ranges.

But, a comparison that I'll make. The 45-70 has considerably less recoil with Winchest JHP 300gr rounds than my 30.06 with winchester SP 150gr rounds. By far this has been the most fun I've had shooting a gun.

Now, all I have to do is become proficient with it and decide on what rounds to use (leverution or buffalo bore MEplats look like they might win)
 
Here is some pic of a deer I took with a 464gr lead hand cast over 37gr of IMR4198. The lower one is the entrance wound:what: Other than the large hole very little meat loss. The case is a 30-06.
http://[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2203624470103526723NXUDTv][/URL]
http://[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2976260090103526723jailSX][/URL]http://[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2425879120103526723OwqsBc][/URL]http://[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2659369640103526723PwWcfz][/URL]
 
What aftermarket sights are you guys using on this gun, if any?

I've been toying with the idea of a peep, but at the least I think I'd change the front for a tru glow, and something with a little more ease for adjustment on the front.

Anyone have luck with a tang sight for longer ranges, and a folding rear sight that could be used for short ranges?
 
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What aftermarket sights are you guys using on this gun, if any?

I've been toying with the idea of a peep
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I definitely would recommend you consider a receiver sight along the lines of a Williams FoolProof or the Lyman equivalent. Much faster on target than conventional "irons" and more precise. Finally, a good peep doesn't disturb the balance and handling characteristics of a lever-action carbine/rifle like a scope does.
 
I like the Williams peep and Marblies fiber optic front in green. I had the red on but it blurs you target. And I like the Wild West large loop as well. The other loops I've seen are a little on the thin side.
 
SwampWolf said:
Finally, a good peep doesn't disturb the balance and handling characteristics of a lever-action carbine/rifle like a scope does.
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Maybe that's true for you but it sure ain't the case for me. Given the weight and position of the scopes on my Marlins, they have ZERO affect on the balance and definitely improve the handling and performance for me but to each their own! :) My '94 doesn't have a scope and that's the way I like it.

xlr_guide_gun.jpg


:)
 
SwampWolf said:
So you're saying that a scope improves the handling of your rifle? Like you said, "to each their own." That adage certainly seems to apply here!
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In terms of time to get on target and bullet placement ... no question! :) But again ... that's what I find works best for me so I don't (or try not to) make general statements as to what works "best" on a lever action rifle.

:)
 
I've never heard of people in modern day still using .45-70 on deer, this is a new one on me.

I always think of it as a bear gun, I think a good deer brush gun is a .30-30.
 
I've never heard of people in modern day still using .45-70 on deer, this is a new one on me.
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Deer are a lot tougher these days. That's why they developed all of the short magnums, to deal with the uberdeer threat.

:D
 
outerlimit said:
I've never heard of people in modern day still using .45-70 on deer, this is a new one on me.

I always think of it as a bear gun, I think a good deer brush gun is a .30-30.
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I got mine mainly for pigs and brush. I already own a 30.06, so I didn't see the need for another 30 cal.

I intend to be able to shoot deer with this thing, but its not the reason why I got it.
 
Nem,
Once you go big bore, there ain't no goin' back. It will take the biggest bite out of your ammo budget, your other rifles will spend more time in the safe and you'll wonder why you even need a skinny bullet rifle.

Worse yet is there are a lot of us enablers that are overly passionate about rifles that produce large diameter holes. You'll get no peace at the range as the GG attracts a lot of attention. You too will soon be recruiting others to the fold. You'll buy reloading and casting equipment to stretch your ammo budget. Brass will be more valuable to you than gold. You'll have a silly grin and a sore shoulder for days after each session.

You've been warned
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I fully agree, I recently put another 45-70 on the list (have an 1885 High Wall, will be getting a 1895 and chopping). Must have big holes...:D
 
Marlin .45-70 for deer?
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That's like asking ".223 for groundhogs" or ".22lr for squirels"...they were made for each other.
I'm guessing it will run just under 4 figures.
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Keep telling yourself that...I'd pay to have one at that price (pay exactly $400 that is). I may be getting one of those if the price is right, but I think it will approach $900...I hope I'm wrong. :banghead:
 
Sighting options for lever guns might be a good topic for a new thread...if there isn't already a thread about it up.

For now...DIE, zombie thread!

John
 
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