Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Ruger built Marlin 45-70

I had thought my lever gun buying was done. And it was, until I walked in the local shop Wednesday. To cut to the chase, they had a newly arrived Marlin GBL 45-70 with a $979.00 price tag. After looking it over closely, I bought it.

Fit and finish were excellent. I liked the handling and balance. I liked the 19.1 inch barrel. My two negative critics are the large lever loop (I'd just as soon have the standard) and the trigger is heavier than I'd like. It has creep before the sear release. I'm hoping it will wear in, but if not a trigger job will be in it's future. I picked up a box of new production Remington 45-70 405gr. SP that is now loaded to 1600 fps. that I'll be trying in it soon. I'm hoping the rifle likes that bullet and speed because I've got 500 rounds loaded with that bullet going a little bit faster. If not, I've got 300gr. Hornady to try.

A Wild West trigger would work wonders

Nice find! I have the SBL model and it's a laser. Haven't yet found a bullet it doesn't like.

I hope that's the case with this one. Right now it's at my gunsmith getting the trigger cleaned up.

I can't say enough about that trigger, it is night and day to the OEM.

It does!

I've picked up the 45-70 from the gunsmith and I am thrilled with the job he did. The trigger from the factory was over 11 pounds with the most creep and take up I've ever encountered in a trigger. The trigger is now 4.5 pounds with no creep and a crisp release. When I first tried the trigger, I thought it felt about 3 pounds till the smith put the trigger gauge on it.

I knew taking it out before the trigger job would be a waste of ammo. I'm looking forward to getting to the range with it. Hopefully this week. I'll post up results when I do.

My buddy, who conveniently works for ruger, has two of them. Havent shot one for myself but as a JM 1895 owner, i like the way they feel in the hand.

I have the very same model myself.......carry it with while on walkabout in Grizzle bear area's.
Memtb sent some 430 gr WFNGC's for me to try and they worked well through the action. I load some Hornady FTX brass with the Speer 350 gr JFN as well for dual purpose hunting/Bear loads as the bullet was originally built for the .458 Win Mag and has a thicker jacket.

Congrats on scoring a great rifle!


Frog----OUT!

Congrats on a great rifle!