The Accurate Reloading Forums
marlin 45/70
25 February 2008, 05:48
lhotaalmarlin 45/70
just about to order a marlin 45/70 in stainless/synthetic....any opinions that would sway me against this purchase?
25 February 2008, 06:27
gumboot458.............Are you ever kickin a bees nest ...

.............Where do you live ??? What game are you wanting to hunt with it ......When did Marlin come out with synthetic stocks ..?????,,My Opinion ,,, save your money and but a 798 Remington in 458 Win mag , or a CZ550 458 Lott , then load down to play around and get real good with it ........The big brothers to the 45/70 will do lots the 45/70 doesn,t do very well ,,But they will do everything the 45/70 can also ........I,ve had a couple 45/70s and a bunch of 458s and the 458 is just hands down better .............
.If it can,t be grown , its gotta be mined ....
25 February 2008, 10:47
IndlovuBuy a 458 Lott, please. no pea shooters allowed in the African huning or big bore sections! ou can get a Whitworth in 458 for <1000K
25 February 2008, 19:28
Jim Z..45-70 1895 XLR is an awsome rifle. Great for anything in North America with the right load.
This is a great American forearm, no matter what the elitists say.
*we band of 45-70ers*
Whiskey for my men & beer for my horses!
Malon Labe!
25 February 2008, 22:59
adrookquote:
Originally posted by lhotaal:
just about to order a marlin 45/70 in stainless/synthetic....any opinions that would sway me against this purchase?
Go for it, I have a stainless guide gun that I love. It's one of the handiest, slickest little guns I've ever used and superbly accurate. Great deer/bear/pig gun.
Cheers,
Andy
26 February 2008, 00:48
CCMDocquote:
Originally posted by lhotaal:
just about to order a marlin 45/70 in stainless/synthetic....any opinions that would sway me against this purchase?
Great gun and caliber. I had a Guide Gun in 45/70 and now have a Guide Gun and XLR both in 450 Marlin and have had only good experiences with both.
You did choose the wrong forum to bring that question. Do a search of 45/70 and you will see the history as to why.
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
26 February 2008, 03:29
The Slug
-+-+-
"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." - The Dalai Lama
26 February 2008, 04:05
Tyler KempWhere did you find a factory Marlin 45-70 with a synthetic stock?
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
26 February 2008, 08:40
.530WoodleighNow how did I know some of you fellers were gonna bust his chops. Seems I remember seeing hard cast lead bullets penetrating quartering shot on cape buff a few years back...broke through the front shoulder and exited his oposite hip.
Since we are on the subject, how doable would it be for me to rechamber my Handi riflr from .45-70 to .45-120. Is the full-diameter part of the barrel long enough?
26 February 2008, 09:02
Idaho Sharpshooter530 Woodleigh, the case is 3.25" long, so just measure out an additional 1.15" from the breech and go from there.
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
26 February 2008, 09:06
Idaho SharpshooterIhotaal,
the issue is a contentious one. Brian Pearce shot and killed two Cape Buffalo, one standing hidden behind the first one; with one shot from an 1895 Marlin 45-70 with a hard cast lead bullet. That irritates some here, as does the gentleman here who shot buffalo and hippo and elephant with one three years ago.
There are better dangerous game rifles (DGR's), but for NA it is all the rifle/cartridge you will never need. I have killed two American Bison with a Laser-Cast 500gr at 1500fps MV, one shot apiece did the job.
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
27 February 2008, 08:33
.530WoodleighYeah, I know a .45-70 is small compared to some of the stuff here but if my schoolin' was right, the Americn bison herds were all but wiped out mainly with .45-70's. The interesting thing is that was at trap-door pressures and generall speaking...with pure (or damn-near pure) lead bullets.
I've been playing with the idea of buying the .45-120 reamer. Just imagine that booger at modern pressures on a 6.5 pound rifle. WHEW
27 February 2008, 18:00
JOEYBONESNot to change the subject but I was on the Steyer Arms Inc website and they have abolt action rifle in 450 marlin
° MANNLICHER BIG BORE
STEYR MANNLICHER is proud to present the first bolt action rifle in caliber .450 Marlin. Until today the .450 Marlin was only available in lever action or single shot rifles. Thanks to the new development from STEYR MANNLICHER, the MANNLICHER BIG BORE will be available with a 3+1 round magazine, and combined with the HC-Kit, with a 7+1 round magazine.
Thanks to the short barrel (550 mm, 22") the MANNLICHER BIG BORE is ideal for hunting dangerous game, and thanks to the caliber's light recoil, the rifle stays controlled for a second shot.
27 February 2008, 19:13
GeorgeSquote:
Originally posted by JOEYBONES:
Not to change the subject but I was on the Steyer Arms Inc website and they have abolt action rifle in 450 marlin
° MANNLICHER BIG BORE
STEYR MANNLICHER is proud to present the first bolt action rifle in caliber .450 Marlin. Until today the .450 Marlin was only available in lever action or single shot rifles. Thanks to the new development from STEYR MANNLICHER, the MANNLICHER BIG BORE will be available with a 3+1 round magazine, and combined with the HC-Kit, with a 7+1 round magazine.
Thanks to the short barrel (550 mm, 22") the MANNLICHER BIG BORE is ideal for hunting dangerous game, and thanks to the caliber's light recoil, the rifle stays controlled for a second shot.
Since Steyr doesn't define 'dangerous game', it may simply mean European 'dangerous game' such as wild boar and Eurasian brown bear, and I would happily engage such game with this rifle using the traditional European methods (driven boar, night shooting over bait from blinds, and from a hochsitz.
A 400gr./.458 caliber bullet @ 2000fps is not what I'd consider ideal for African DG, however.
George
27 February 2008, 23:12
Rick RMy wife and I each have one, along with several co-workers. All of them are very accurate and 100% reliable as long as you work the action properly.
We've killed two deer, a coworker has killed several black bear, all with one shot.
But it's really not that powerful as a rifle cartridge. Use it for what it's capable of and it's great, but don't try to carry two tons of crap around in a half ton truck or something's gonna break.

28 February 2008, 20:03
Richard FlorerI have a model 1895. The third time I poped up the rear sight, the small tit on the bottom of the sight blade broke off (it was brittle). This allowed the sight to "lay down" during recoil. My solution was to install a peep sight. I also modified the front sight ramp and installed a front sight for an AR-15, one of those that has a tritium insert that glows in the dark. Synthetic stocks made for the Marlin Model 336 were modified and installed. This lowered the weight. Additionally, a prototype internal stock recoil reducing mechanism was installed. This provides for the recoil movement to move straight back, instead of rising into the shooter's face. It also reduces the felt recoil (impulse) to 30-30 levels. This rifle weights 7.4 pounds. Using Speer 400 Gr. bullets at 1800 fps, it is suitable for all North American game except for the largest bears. For those, a heavy, hard cast bullet is perfect. I keep my shots under 150 yards. I never have recovered a bullet.
WYLD
28 February 2008, 21:12
Idaho SharpshooterGeorge,

pardon me, but isn't that load pretty close to the 400 Jeffery NE? 450/400 400gr SP @ 2100...?
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
28 February 2008, 21:54
GeorgeSRead my lips, Rich:
The s-e-c-t-i-o-n-a-l d-e-n-s-i-t-y for a .458/400 bullet is l-e-s-s t-h-a-n .300.
George
28 February 2008, 22:11
boom stickLets show the new members how civil we can be.

28 February 2008, 22:54
GeorgeSboom stick,
Has there EVER been a thread since 29 April 2005 you have not posted in?
What, 9000 'me too' posts aren't enough for you?

George
28 February 2008, 22:56
jeffeossoquote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Read my lips, Rich:
The s-e-c-t-i-o-n-a-l d-e-n-s-i-t-y for a .458/400 bullet is l-e-s-s t-h-a-n .300.
George
The s-e-c-t-i-o-n-a-l d-e-n-s-i-t-y for a .458/400 bullet is l-e-s-s t-h-a-n m-a-r-s-h-m-e-l-l-o-w
.272 is ONLY "tough" when compared to a .308 165gr
.341 (500gr .458) is the highest NORMALLY loaded SD for DGR (lets not play the 600gr or BMG games)
.340 (400gr .410) is PRETTY DARN CLOSE
let's compare
400gr .458 .272
400gr .410 .340
That's 25% LESS SD..
to compare spuds to spuds
a .410 to be sd of .272 would have to weigh
320gr ..
So, to compare a 450/400 to a 400gr .458 conventional bullet, it would have to be
320gr vs 400gr, at the same speed
in other words
m-a-r-s-h-m-e-l-l-o-w
28 February 2008, 23:23
boom stick9107 to date

28 February 2008, 23:57
Richard FlorerExcuse me, I have to revive about 15 dead deer, elk, and bear, and tell them they were only shot with a 400 grain .458 bullet. They are not dead, they were only hit with a marshmellow.
Seriously, heavy lead bullet means one of 500 grains, which the 45-70 certainly can utilize. So far, a .458 diameter hole through an animal's heart has always proven 100% effective.
WYLD
29 February 2008, 00:24
JPKquote:
Originally posted by Richard Florer:
Excuse me, I have to revive about 15 dead deer, elk, and bear, and tell them they were only shot with a 400 grain .458 bullet. They are not dead, they were only hit with a marshmellow.
Seriously, heavy lead bullet means one of 500 grains, which the 45-70 certainly can utilize. So far, a .458 diameter hole through an animal's heart has always proven 100% effective.
WYLD
No one is going to argue with you, you are right and everyone agrees with you, but only when it comes to dear, elk and bear. When it comes to large African dangerous game it is a different story. That is what the "marshmellow" post was referring to.
For buff, the 45/70 is at best marginal to the point of potentially dangerous , imo. (BTW, Brian Pierce used mono brass solids, and his shot count in his article doesn't add up either... I'm not sure he knows what really hit where and went where.)
For elephants as well as rhino and hippo out of water, the 45/70 is just stupid by any measure.
JPK

Free 500grains
29 February 2008, 01:06
jeffeossoquote:
Originally posted by Richard Florer:
Excuse me, I have to revive about 15 dead deer, elk, and bear, and tell them they were only shot with a 400 grain .458 bullet. They are not dead, they were only hit with a marshmellow.
Seriously, heavy lead bullet means one of 500 grains, which the 45-70 certainly can utilize. So far, a .458 diameter hole through an animal's heart has always proven 100% effective.
WYLD
a HUGE elk is 800#, as well as a huge black bear.. and 800# is about 6-8 deer...
a cape buffalo is 1200-2000#,
a hippo bull is 3300-4000#
rhino to 6500 or more
elephant .. what? 20,000-30,000#
and you want to use a deer bullet? (.250 SD or so) on them?
it's your life, use it as you like..
29 February 2008, 03:22
buckeyeshooterVery well put Jeffe!

29 February 2008, 07:26
RobgunbuilderGeorge- remember the term alligator? Wakarimaska?-Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
29 February 2008, 07:49
GeorgeSRob,
Nihongo hanasemasen. Wakarimasen.
George
29 February 2008, 11:03
Idaho Sharpshooterreminds me of the question of why women have two sets of lips:
"...so they can piss and moan at the same time...".
NOT!, that I am inferring anything about anybody.
The 45-70 will kill anything that inhabits the earth, it just is not optimal for some.
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
29 February 2008, 11:10
Macifejquote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
boom stick,
Has there EVER been a thread since 29 April 2005 you have not posted in?
What, 9000 'me too' posts aren't enough for you?

George
He's about to catch and overtake you George!!
Maybe Boomer should be annoited the 45-70 Moderator??

29 February 2008, 12:59
boom stickI have offered just that several times

29 February 2008, 18:11
Thomas JonesMy 1895 is a hell of a lot of fun.
350 grain hornady at 2000.
Great for North america. Lots of Alaskan guides using them for grizz, (different load)
Get one and enjoy it.
If you are going to africa , get somthing bigger , unless you like to make dangerous game hunting into, really dangerous game hunting...tj3006
freedom1st
29 February 2008, 19:44
GeorgeSquote:
Originally posted by Macifej:
quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
boom stick,
Has there EVER been a thread since 29 April 2005 you have not posted in?
What, 9000 'me too' posts aren't enough for you?

George
He's about to catch and overtake you George!!
Well, two and a half years of concerted effort posting usless 'me too' threads will do that for you. Hell, BBBruce has 27000+ posts in less than seven years, and has never posted anything of value, either.
quote:
Maybe Boomer should be annoited the 45-70 Moderator??
Saeed has stated that there will not be a .45-70 forum.
George
29 February 2008, 20:16
Idaho SharpshooterGeorge,
you could create that forum, and make it Boomie's personal Gulag!
Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
01 March 2008, 23:26
.530WoodleighNot everyone is capable of hunting large dangerous game with a .45-70 or any other caliber for that matter. But if he truely is then I would not personally condemn him. I believe 5 shots (propper loads) from a fast-handling lever action have far greater killing-power than one misplaced shot from a single shot with no follow-up. What ever did mankind do before the new modern big-bore overkill calibers existed. A: They killed dangerous game with lead bullets and low-pressure rounds that are far less effective than a good load from a .45-70. That being said it still would not be my first pick for Africa.
02 March 2008, 02:38
boom stick
02 March 2008, 02:41
Tyler KempI bet if you stick a 500 grain hard cast going 1500 fps directly into an elephants brain it dies.

Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
quote:
Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
I bet if you stick a 500 grain hard cast going 1500 fps directly into an elephants brain it dies.
Yea, me too. The big problem is getting that hard cast bullet to the brain of an elephant so that it is still going 1500fps.
JPK

Free 500grains
02 March 2008, 03:44
Tyler KempI bet if you stick a 500 grain hard cast going 1500 fps at the muzzle directly into an elephant's brain it dies.

Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.