In your opinion, what is the most useful/reliable/fuctional 45/70 lever action available?

Why?

Thanks, Jeff

If you can find one a LTD-V. Only 1000 made and I am one of the lucky owners. Mine is a sub minute gun and very smooth out of the box. I use it to shoot deer out to 300 yards with no problems. I just changed scopes from a VariX-III to a M8-3 and love it. Here it is in action during crop sniping if you have cable internet. The video turned out rough but it gets the point accross. Numerous offhand shots on deer at ranges past 200 yards. reflex264

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3433415096555745370&hl=en

With or without a scope?? Without a scope-the 1886 Extra Light. With a scope I would go with the Marlin, Tom.

Marlin Guide Gun....were I to get another one it would be in stainless.

Any of the Marlin levers in .45-70 are great guns. You just need to decide which one meets your needs.

The Winnie. 1886's are great guns too, but they are more expensive and harder to get your hands on one. I have an USRAC 1886 Delux Takedown model in .45-70n ad I love it. It's heavy and you can't mount a scope on it very easily. Originals in good shape get about 5-8K.

Good luck!

for me the marlin cowboy is most useful, followed closely by an 1886 rifle.

I have a standard 22 inch 1895.
I put a 1X4 leupold on it. Its very near MOA too. And a ton of fun.
The guide guns is good , too,If you get a newer one.
If you do lots of hiking and want to take the 45/70 along, the Guide is the way to go.
I am thinking of switching to a peep site for mine...tj3006

LOVE my guide gun! Just took it on safari, and shot 7 different head of plains game with it. I'll probably use it on anthing I hunt with a centerfire rifle.

MadDog