Anyone own one of these ??

The stats say it's only 4" longer than my 1895 Marlin and it holds 9 shots !! must be a heap of fun to own one of these.

How practical are they to hunt with compared to say a guide gun ??

I am thinking of trading my Marlin 1894p .44 rem mag on a second 45/70, either a guide or cowboy. Not sure yet.

I sure like mine.

If you shoot much past 100 yd. you'll be looking for better sights though.

The front is pretty tall. That's the easiest to work with, I've got a real short one comeing for mine to help get the muzzel up a bit.

With the factory set up, the rear is almost to the top notch, and Black Powder loads doing around 1300fps hit right where you want at 100yd.

Winger have you tried some smokeless loads in it yet ??

Hi PC!

I carried my '95 Cowboy .45-70 to Zim last August for leopard and she worked fine. I used the stock front sight, but used an Ashley ghost ring rear. This was only my second time in the field with a ghost ring set-up, but I like what I've seen so far.

We had to bull through a lot of thick stuff in a hurry while following the dogs, yet I never cussed those extra inches of barrel length. In fact, when it came time to shoot I think those extra inches of sight radius maybe came in handy.

My "spottie" load was 35 grains of IMR 4198 behind a 350 grain Hornady Interlock flatpoint for about 1500 fps. I know, this load doesn't approach the fashionable "blind, burn and deafen" levels, but that level of performance was neither needed nor wanted for my application. I wanted to be able to shoot through a leopard while allowing for fast follow-up shots (if needed).

It's a great tool for some (but not all) chores. At least that's been my experience...

Best of luck to you,

218 Bee

PC,
I played with one the other day in 38-55 Cal and it was nice...I'm waiting for a 25-35 but I doubt that will ever come about...

I would like the shorty in a 45-70 as it relies more on bullet weight and cross section to kill rather than velocity...

PC are you looking at the one Mat G's is selling?

PC: I have a Model 1895 Cowboy model on which I have put an Ashley ghost ring sight, and it's a ton of fun to shoot, and fairly accurate, too. I have been working up smokeless powder loads with the 405 and 350 grain bullets with about 40% more velocity than the 1300-fps factory loads. The Marlin is strong enough to handle those with no trouble. I haven't taken it hunting yet, but I am told that those high-velocity reloads will knock most game flat. I have hunted with a Winchester lever-action 30-30, and I found that follow up shots are a lot easier with a lever action rifle. If you get one, you will love it.

By the way, I have heard that the riflemen down there in the southern hemisphere have to shoot upside down. You blokes must be awfully skillful to be able to do that.

True bigbrass, but followup shots here are easier here as the game has to run away on its back.

PC
You are unstoppable mate! How many financial years guns are you up to now

Karl.

They look real nice, and I'm sure they shoot well, too. But they have this little, useless button high up on the rear of the receiver that just bothers the hell out of me.

I'll stick with my 1974 vintage (new) model.

I am going to have it rebarrelled with a 24" octagonal barrel by The Montana Rifleman, have Doug Turnbull bone case harden the action (leaving all screws, the loading gate and the hammer and lever bright blue) and put a tang aperture rear sight and sourdough front on it.

I am going to do all of this. One day. Before I die. And I will shoot a Bison bison with it, too.

As to the shorties, I just don't like the looks of them. And aesthetics are everything when it comes to rifles, no matter what Finn Aagard and Phil Shoemaker may say.

If you don't like the stupid safety, Jim Taylor on Sixgunner.com has had an article on deactivation and replacement of the stupid thing and it looks good to boot.

Karl,

I would have to horse trade for this one mate.

Any way I am allowed a gun a year and am able to spend my tax return (should I get one) however I want. I have to do some careful tax planning for coming years

Thanks for everyones experiences and advice so far !!

I think if I got a cowboy it would have to stay open sighted as that "old world" look may be ruined with a scope.

[ 07-15-2003, 16:11: Message edited by: PC ]

I have one and It shoots very well. The ballard style rifling is a good improvement. You might want to replace that Plastic butt plate with a recoil absorbing one. I have a leupold 2.5X compact on mine now and it is a good fit. I had an aimpoint hot dot on it; but the recoil of full house 405 grainer's made me a little leary of the hot dot holding up. But; it was like lightening picking up a target with it.

OLd & slow,

thanks for your reply. The 2.5x leupold is the scope I will put on it if get one. They are the best scope for a 45/70 period IMHO.

Do thhey feel much bulkier in your opionion over the guide gun, I mean in the real world is the extra 8" that much of a problem ??

Also do you find that the Octaganol barrel dings up easier with the sharp edges ??

[ 07-21-2003, 16:44: Message edited by: PC ]

Na, don't worry about it. Just put ashley ghost ring with matching front sight and shoot the hell of it and of course as suggested in the previous posts, put in a good recoil pad. Any ding on your toy is just adds character to it all my stuff has a ding or two on them. It is just unavoidable. Oh yeah, get a trigger job.

Yeah I suppose your right 475,

why do you reccomend a ghost ring over a 2.5x compact. I reckon your would get better groups from the 2.5x wouldn't you ?, or am I missing something with these ghost rings. They certainly seem popular.

Hey, PC...

I have the stainless GG and I love it. Yeah, it's short but the looks grow on ya. I have it topped with a silver Leupold compact 3x9x33 on QR Leupold setup and it looks great!

BTW, I just shot a sub 1/2MOA group with it this past Sunday with 500 grain bullets (cast). I wouldn't trade it for anything!!!

Buy it, you'll like it!!!

PC,

I have the Ashley sights on my 1895M and they are shithot, shoot good groups, good in the spotlight (believe it or not),and dont get knocked around climbing in and out of the Cruiser, sound like the go Mate!

Cheers, Choppa

I am getting older and can't get the old eyes to shoot iron sights like I used to. I have used ghost sights; and if you can get the feel and focus looking THROUGH the rear sight; with practice you will be surprised how well they will shoot. Teacup groups at 100 yds. That is plenty accurate for deer / hogs; etc. Make sure if you go the ghost site way the front sight is an easy to see one. Hi viz or ivory would be my choice. WE have found the 26" barrel no real problem; but haven't waded any real thick stuff. It seems to balance better than the 18" barrel especially with the scope. Muzzle blast is much better.

PC--I have both ghost rings and scopes at the same time on all my leverguns. I have the iron sights and QD Warners for my Marlins and 1886 Win. As you bring the rifle to your shoulder, the ghost rings are faster to acquire in a snap-shot situation. My scopes are 1-4 Variables with lots of eye relief. I tried the 2.5X a few years and couldn't get on target fast enough to suit me. I've been trained on peeps and shot HP matches with them and been shooting them for so long that I can't do with any other iron sights. It's all a matter of training and what you're use to. Each to his own.

Oh by the way since I've got CRS, I shoot groups testing loads with the scope and when shooting critters I take the scope off and it always comes back to zero. Got to go, getting up 0300

Thanks for the opinions folks, I must try a set of these ghost rings one day to see what all the fuss is about

Greetings! Allow me to chime in, if I may. I have a Marlin 1895 45/70 and I like it very much - however - I find some faults with it. I don't like the checkering as it looks very cheat to me. I don't like the stupid push button safety - how dumb is that on a rifle with a hammer and a half-cock already in place? And finally, I don't like the short magazine tube. Anyone know of a simple, bolt on fix for the tube? Like ordering one for the Cowboy and bolting it right up? Any and all recommendations short of swapping the rifle in on a new one welcome. Also, I have yet to find a load with cast bullets that shoot worth a hoot in this rifle. I have molds for several that shoot exceptionally well in my Ruger No1 as well as the Browing SS I used to own - none of them go less than about 5-6" from the Marlin whild grouping 1 1/2 - 2" from the Ruger and better than that from the old Browning. If I use 350 gr or 405 gr jacketed bullets the groups shrink right up.
Help!

Trapper, I dont understand what you want. Do you want to make your 1895 hold more rounds is that the number one priority ??. The thing is the cowboy magazine will be to long for the standard 1895 and far to long for the guide gun. I think you would need to get a custom mag tuibe made. Can this be done ??

I'm like a lot of the others here, I think, in that what I've got is never what I REALLY want, or at least I'm going to work on it to make it really my own! I think the Marlin would look loads better with a magazine tube out flush to the muzzle and a barrel band clamp around the both - sort of like the old Windchangers! A custome tube would seem to be in order here.
Don't really see the need for more cartridges but I guess that would be okay too. As to the other stuff I mentioned, I may or may not work on these, dependent mostly on the time available and just how the mood strikes me.
The only thing that I have a real concern with is why the Marlin shoots so poorly with cast bullets. If anyone has had this problem and solved it I would sure like to know how and what they are loading that works for them.

Best regards,

Trapper
I have a 45/70 Guide with a 18 1/2 " ported barrel. I have only shot cast in it. The fellers on the Shooters cast board steered me in the right direction. Mine likes the RCBS 45-405-FN, 48 grns of IMR 3031 and a CCI 200 primer in Starline brass. Its a gaschecked bullet. It runs 1625 out of mine and will keep 5 shots in 1 1/4" @ 100 yards with a Leupold 2.5 on it. I just put the scope on it, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. It likes the 300 grn RCBS bullet but does better with the 405.
W.B.

Trapper,

It sounds like yours has the microgroove rifling. I've always had good luck with my Marlins that were microgrooved provided I did the following:

Use a hard alloy. Slug the bore and size to the same or .001" over.

As for the tube length, I'd think you could just use the fspring and tube from the cowboy version on yours.

I just bought myself a Cowboy version yesterday. Too bad I have to wait ten days before trying it out. I compared it to the standard version as well as the guide gun. I never really liked the guide gun (hate the porting) so it was never a serious contender. The standard version has a heavier profile barrel than the CB so they both seemed to balance and weigh about the same to me. I didn't like the way the pistol grip seemed to shove my thumb into my nose when I shouldered it. I kept thinking that will hurt when I shoot it.

I think I knew before even handling them that I was gonna get the CB. I like the extra length and capacity but, more importantly, I'm a sucker for all things retro or cowboy.

Now I need new brass to keep these loads seperate and easily identifiable from my BP loads for my Trapdoor.

[ 07-27-2003, 06:08: Message edited by: z1r ]

Trapper-Increase your bullet weight and velocity if possible. I tried old cast loads years ago on my old 45-70 and couldn't hit the broad side of the proverbial barn. Some ol' boy turned me on to heavier cast bullets at 440-460 grain bullets dependant upon the mix and bumped the load to the point of having too much fun and got 1 3/4" to 2 1/2" groups at 100 yds. I don't remember the load specifics as I just stick to 400-420 grainers now.

I've owned a Guide Gun for a few years now, and I like everything about it except the damn loud porting! Frankly I'd rather deal with the recoil than all that noise. This is really only a problem when hunting of course, because on the target range I wear ear protection, but with the barrel only being 18.5 inches long, I've come home from a kill with my head still ringing.
A friend of mine had the extra mag custom built on his. It looks outstanding and only cost him around $100. Canadian. Cheap!
As to the Cowboy, we have quite a clutch of 45/70 nuts in my neighbourhood and there are two of these in the bunch.
Great gun. Feels more like a 410 shotgun coming up than a rifle. points beautifully. I really don't think the extra barrel length would be a concern at all in the field for most people.
Most everyone around here is using RL-7 and while the "book" won't get you much past 1600 f/s, you can get well up over 2100f/s if you go slow and keep watching for pressure.
Accuracy in my GG is best with 3031 at around 1800.( nearly cloverleaf 3 shot at 100 yds with 300 gr. Nosler Partitions)
Now I'm a real chicken when it comes to pressure signs but remember that this cartridge was created for black powder which is an explosive as opposed to modern nitro powder propellants.
It's actually more like a big pistol cartridge in design.
Modern guns like the Marlin are rated for an easy 50,000 CUPs and the pressure produced at 1600 f/s in a 45/70 isn't even really on the scale (20,000 ish?)
As to hunting it, everthing I've ever shot with this gun falls down and stays there. If I hit em they don't get up!
I've never had as much fun, as I've had playing with this cartridge.

Don't forget the rush you get when you get pounded with these gorilla loads.

Do not use 50,000 CUP 45-70 loads in the Marlin 1895. 45-70 Ruger #1/3s and Siamese Mausers in good condition can safely operate at 50,000 CUP. However, it is widely accepted that the Marlin 1895 45-70 should be limited to 40,000 CUP.

Since I had mentioned the replacement of the Stupid Safety for the Marlin, I finally found the name and address of the supplier---------
CLYDE LUDWIG
P.O. BOX 26156
WAUWATOSA, WI. 53226-0156
414-536-1101 CONTACT AFTER 1830

Got a little fast with the keys--Contact him after 1830 CST.