Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Marlin Guide (ported vs non)

I am gonna get myself another Guide in 45/70. I can either get the one with ports or without.

Any of you out there actually had experience with both and if so which way would you suggest I go?

Thanks

(I've had 2 of the ported ones and they worked just fine, it's just that the one that is not ported has a bit better piece of wood on it)

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

I have experience with the 444's. I no longer have the one with ports because of the damn ports. I tried 1 shot without hearing protection, TO MUCH FOR ME.

Ah HA! Now I know why you sold it to me...!

Could that be why I'm having a non-ported .356 Win barrel screwed on it?

Haven't shot it without full muffs, so can't speak to the blast issue. But the vertical muzzle flash in dim light with a case full of H335 is pretty special...

thanks for your responses guys, I believe I'll go with the one that will have a lil less of the coleman lantern effect...grins



I think it'll be a hoot to hunt lopes with this fall



THX



"GET TO THE HILL"



Dogz

I have heard (but cannot confirm) that Marlin will replace a ported barrel with an unported barrel free of charge on the Guide Gun. This was posted on Marlin Talk a long time ago, but it has since gone away. That might be worth asking them about if you find one for a cheap price with the ports.

I've had a ported .444 - "the Outfitter" I believe it was called. It was WAY to loud for my liking. I traded it off and eventually bought a non-ported guide gun. That sucker kicks though that is for sure!

Hey Buzz-what is Marlin Talk? Another chat forum?

Thanks

Dogz

You got it Dennis. I actually like the rifle and it was very accurate but those damn ports.

Who is doing the barrel work?

I haven't actually taken it to anyone. I bought a Winchester AE .356 barrel from Numrich the other month, and thought I'd take it down the hill to Darrel. But I haven't called him and don't actually even know if he does rebarreling. It's one of those "I'm gonna get around to it real soon" projects. I bought a Win 94 AE Black Shadow .444, with a 20" non-ported barrel, to stay in the .444 game. I've always wanted a .356, and this will put me in the picture. Can you believe it -- I already have dies, brass and bullets? Imagine that...

Heard about our weather? Over 90 in K-town most of the past week. RAWS station hit 101 on the Karta River on POW. Unreal.

Mark,

Marlin Talk was a forum sponsored by Marlin themselves. Unfortunately the subject matter involved lots of talk about disabling the cross-bolt safety, etc.

They shut down the board, and many folks migrated here, much like what happened to the Shooter board.

BTW, I have a 444SS and know well the muzzle flash generated by a healthy load of H335. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

DAMN!!! I was going to trade you some dies and cases for a 3x Leupold.

Next time...................

I just picked up a really clean 3 Leo, it has a 1" dot in it, it may see some service on this 45/70..Although for the most part I'll use the Ashley Ghost and a fiber optic front.

Should be fun for lopes this fall.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

Cody's all enthused to use his 1895SS on antelope, too, Mark. Not to mention cow elk and anything else he can get within about 150 yards of....
But speaking of 45/70's and antelope, back in my meat plant days, I had a steady customer drop off a pickup load of speed goats once. I'm trying to think of the guy's name.... nice guy, from here in the Bozone. Deaf as a stone, and has done endorsements for the Micken Hearing Center in the paper lately. Lives behind Santa Fe Red's. Him and his son used to kill elk with considerable regularity in the Porcupine late archery hunt, which wasn't exactly a common feat. And then the son (in his 30's, I think) tragically died in an accident in Alaska, as I recall. I know, I'm rambling, but I suspect there's a good chance you might know him....
Anyway, he had a custom-looking heavy barrel rifle w/ a bipod hanging in his truck, & naturally I asked "what's that?". He kind of laughed, & replied "45/70!". A bullet head, for sure....

Bill-enjoyed your story,perhaps Cody and you and I will have to have a smallest buck contest with our 45/70's this fall...could be grand fun.



Take care Amigo



"GET TO THE HILL"



Dogz





Bill what powder do you and Cody use, I am thinking 350 Horn for all comers, your thoughts appreciated.

350 Hornady FP's, ahead of 50 gr RL-7 <insert standard disclaimer> Getting a bit over 2000 fps, with as good of accuracy as we can utilize with the Williams peep & firesight front. Actually, though, next time I feel like experimenting I'll probably try 4198. Went with RL7 initially, just because I've had good luck with RL22 & 25. The heavy loads with RL7 are fine, but I was having some sort-of-disturbing variations with the lighter loads. Put some dacron filler in the last ones I loaded, but haven't shot 'em over a chronograph to see if the variations went away.

I have the ported Guide Gun in .45-70 and like it. I'm glad it's got the ports. I don't find it to be much louder than unported .45-70's. Bill T.

I also have a Marlin GG with the original ports. Yes it is loud without hearing protection, but with a handload consisting of a 550 gr Crater hard cast and a compressed load of H335 it is truly appreciated. I am not all that shy of recoil but a truly hot load in this little lever gun will rock me a bit. I wouldnt change it out even if it were free.

Well, I know why they call you Schiffer brains. What are you doing shooting one of these things without muffs? What? Say you can't hear me? WHAT ARE YOU DOING SHOOTING ONE OF THESE THINGS WITHOUT EAR MUFFS?

Seriously, I have a 450 Marlin in a ported guide gun and love it. Haven't shot it "naked" before, though. I also have an older 444 Marlin full size non-ported. I really like it too (and no, I haven't shot it without muffs either). I know, who uses muffs when hunting, right? Seems deer hunting with shoulder cannons is illegal here in Indiana, unless the deer is painted on a target.

The decrease in muzzle jump is a great advantage with the ported barrel, as is the shorter barrel in brush (not that I would know, Mr Game Warden, as that would mean I might be doing something not smiled upon here in Indiana).

Load them without milder ( the muzzle flash ) and a lot of the boom goes away too.