Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Range day w/the Ruger/Marlin 45-70

Had the first day at the range with the new Marlin 45-70. I have put it off until I got the rifle back from it's trip to the gunsmith for a trigger job. The trigger is now 4.5 lbs., creep free and crisp. I scoped it with a 4x Leupold. I got a box of Remington 405gr. SP with the gun and tried my load for my H&R Handi that also uses the 405gr. SP.

The rifle is much more comfortable to shoot than the H&R. I used the factory ammo to get on paper and walk two shot groups into the target. I then shot one three shot group. I had a partial box of the hand loads and put one six shot group onto the target. Pretty happy with how it shot the first 20 rounds through the gun. I was not having my best day, but can already see I'm going to be happy with.

I've got a ton of the 45-70 handloaded. I've got to get a Lee FCD so that I can go back and crimp them. Having planned on using them from a single shot, I never crimped them. Once I do that I'll go back and fine tune the zero.

Good deal! I was admiring a new 1895 Trapper at the shop today

Mine is the blued GBL. I'm impressed with how well Ruger is building them. My only complaint was the horrible trigger. It was so bad that I wouldn't even go to the range till I got it cleaned up. My gunsmith did a beautiful job on it.

That’s pretty a darn good group……assuming it’s @ 100 yards! 😉😁

That’s better shooting than many folks get with high end bolt guns…..noted for their superior accuracy! 😂 memtb

Yes, 100 yards. I"m not happy about throwing two shots, but as I said, I was not having my best day. I would not claim that it would group like that every time either. I will say that from my example of one, Ruger has done a good job with the Marlin rifles.

This week has been a lever gun week for me. I'm impressed generally, with the Marlins. I've shot guns made from 1952 to current production and all have been capable of at least 1.5 inch groups. I will never miss an animal because the guns weren't up to the task. The only limits are the range distance and me.

Nice shooting and definitely minute of deer!