Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Best 45-70 Lever Gun

All,

Did a search and surprised I can't find this kind of thread. Interested in getting a 45-70 and curious if there is one considered to be the best and able to shoot all the modern loads?

Current thinking is to get the Marlin 1895GBL and maybe send it to Grizzly for their Outback Guide Scout Package.

Don't have a lever gun but have other big bores, curious to get opinions from the fire.

Thanks

I have a JM Marlin GBL and out of the box it put the first five shots at 75 metres touching when I first sighted it in.

It’s been consistently sub MOA with three shot groups at 100m with just about any load I’ve tested.

There may be bette lever guns out there but I’d be suggesting look for a JM Marlin as a first option.

Drop the dough and get an 1886 Winchester, longer stronger action.

I'd go 1886 Winchester but if you do go with a new Marlin plan to have it sent off to a 'smith to be sweetened up. They can be a little rough.

Anything but a Henry

Best is subjective but Ive had no complaints with my Henrys or my Marlins.

Had a Browning 1886 SRC. It was so nice I could not bear the thought of taking it into the woods. Sold it & bought a Remington Rolling Block in 45-70.

It all depends on how you're going to use the rifle. If you're OK with iron sights go with an 1886, if you want to scope it, get a Marlin. You can fit a scope to an 1886 but they look clumsy and to me feel awkward to use.

As mentioned in an earlier post, the 1886 is a longer and stronger action. It's also a little heavier. With some 1886 actions you can load shells to a 2.8" LOA whereas stock Marlins are limited to 2.55". 45/70 rifles tend to have no throat so to take advantage of the longer length you need a bore riding design or lengthen the throat. Having said that the Marlin can still digest some fairly hefty loads, just don't go thinking its a 458. The internet is full of examples of Marlins in 45/70 have come apart due to some reloading mishap.

All the late model Winchesters are fitted with a tang safety and rebounding hammer. Early versions were somewhat troublesome but later ones seem OK. Diehards have the internals swapped with Browning parts and have the opening where the tang safety was welded over.

Personally I like the pre side safety Marlins. Browning 1886's are good but the carbine buttstock is annoying. Winchester has made lots of limited runs of 1886 models with varying barrel lengths and configurations, some takedown models but nearly all have curved steel buttplates that can dig into your shoulder. A standout model for a hunter is the Lightweight model with the half mag and shotgun buttplate. Pedersoli 86/71's are worth a look now that have sorted out their feeding issues. They have some interesting options and don't have the tang safety and rebounding hammers of the Winchesters. Plenty of options to consider.

I really had my heart set on an 1886 and had the bug pretty bad. Then I stumbled upon an first year production JM Marlin 45-70 that I picked up for just a little over $400. It was used, but not abused, with good honest wear on the outside and a pristine bore. It shoots great and is slicker than snot.

I doubt that you’ll find one that cheap, but a JM Marlin is worth at least as much as a new unfired current production model. I would look for one of those.

The Marlin levergun is an entry level choice, imo. I have owned one, handloaded for it and sold it.
The Marlin's do routinely fail, sometimes unsafely. The Henry only seems slightly better but is different loading arrangement.
Get something of good quality- 45/70 brass is very light duty, might as well use a stronger action. My little old opinion.

I have a JM guide gun. Itw ill touch holes at 100 with 405 hard cast. Never had a problem with it. Its not as sexy as an 86 though

The 86 is stronger, but it is heavier and thicker. A Marlin 45-70 with iron or receiver sights carries like a 30-30.

I understand the 1886 is stronger, but is it really necessary? The Marlins will take the 405 grain slugs to 1900-2000 fps safely, what more do you even need? If you're trying to push it past that just buy a .458 WM. Starline brass is great and will take a beating with heavy loads. I load my 405s to a more comfortable 1600 fps, and they will still shoot lengthwise through pretty much any game animal in North America.

Find a good used JM stamped Guide Gun and be happy. To age a JM Marlin, take the first 2 digits of the serial number and subtract from 100. That will give you the 2 year digit code it was made in (a 99XXXXX serial was made in 2001. 100-99=01.) I have a stainless version that I'm going to be putting MPI stocks on with receiver sight from Skinner. Light, handy, and packs a punch.

Hard to beat the Marlin Cowboy with Ballard rifling for heavy cast bullets.

I have an 1886 but like this one better. Easier to scope, lighter and sleeker.

DF

A 45/70 like it is supposed to be... 1886 take down that someone else put a peep sight on so I wouldn't have to.

Nice original.

Yeah, no guilt with the receiver sight already mounted.

Mine is a Miroku, which is a fine gun, but not in the same category as that one.

DF

It would be nice DF to have an original Lwt Rifle in the pic but I'll bet our Mirouka's are stronger and more accurate. MB

Likely.

Miroku makes a fine rifle, probably better made than the original.

But, who wants to hear that...

DF

I am a Miroku fan. My guess is I would like the m94 takedown also, spendy but well made. I have a few BLR takedowns

I am a Miroku fan. My guess is I would like the m94 takedown also, spendy but well made. I have a few BLR takedowns