Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Marlin 1895-Winchester Model 71 Alaska Test

Further test results and conclusions: Alaska lever action speed/accuracy test.
2017 RIFLE TEST

RIFLES: Winchester M-71 Caliber: 450 Alaskan 22 in Barrel Pistol grip Stock---------------------- Marlin Guide Gun Caliber: 45-70 18.5 inch barrel Straight stock

Users of both the Winchester Model 71 and the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun reported their initial impressions of both rifles against bolt rifles.
They then exchanged lever action models and recorded their results. {Owners agreed that a Browning Model 71 in 24 inch barrel would handle similarly}.

Both rifles utilized heavy 400 gr cast lead and jacketed bullets. Velocities were in the 1800 to 2000 FPS range.

The accuracy and speed of action cycling of the Model 71 were faster and more on target than the performance of the Marlin Guide Gun. The rifle's action also felt smoother.
This was noticed by the owner of the Guide Gun as well as the other shooters. Owners again exchanged rifles, and the shooting impressions were noted as the same.

Reasons: The group of shooters voiced their shooting impressions and equally stated that stock design and barrel length were critical factors in speed of handling and accuracy.
The shorter barrel handicapped the Marlin 1895 in fast handling and accuracy, while the pistol grip of the Model 71 with 22 inch barrel greatly assisted action cycling and smooth operation.
The Model 71 in 450 Alaskan was also the more accurate of the two, additionally producing higher bullet velocity due to barrel length. There seems to be a definite correlation
between barrel length at 22 in or greater, pistol grip stock, and the physics of smooth fast cycling of the lever in these two lever action rifles. Since rifles of this class and caliber
are used for bear hunting and/or protection against dangerous game-which very well may require repeat shots-smooth action functioning is critical. Balance in smooth action
function may actually require a slightly longer barrel.

Wild West Guns in Anchorage produces the Co-Pilot in 457 Magnum and 45-70. The 45-70 will chamber in the 457 barrel chamber. While that rifle is produced in shorter
barrel lengths, the group -based on their experience-would order a Co-Pilot with pistol grip and at least a 22 inch barrel. The 457 Magnum will equal the 450 Alaskan in bullet velocity,
barrel lengths being equal. A message was sent to Marlin Firearms, requesting consideration that their Guide Gun be offered with a 22 in barrel and pistol grip butt stock configuration.

Good stuff, thanks.

For what it is worth, After carefully shopping the .45-.70 and .457 Magnum years ago, I looked for and bought a Miroku/Winchester 1886 .45-90 TD (which will shoot those shorter cartridges) and never looked back.

WRT the value of sufficient weight, length, balance, and action function, I find my 1886 easy to keep on target while shucking empties out and fresh loads in without losing sight of the game. Naturally lots of off hand practice is invaluable.

You may have one of the best combinations around, certainly versatile. The 45-90 loadings equal the 450 Alaskan, with the added advantage of shooting the other cartridges.
Might also find that the more you cycle the action "wearing it in"-the smoother the action may eventually become. The Miroku chambers generally have tighter tolerances than
the originals-resulting in accurate rifles. You have hit on the importance of "practice".

My 1886 original rapid taper 33 WCF rifles and pre-war Model 71s have half-magazines-with pistol grip stocks. This affects the balance remarkably along with the Winchester smoothness notable
among the early rifles. Its kind of hard to give that balance up.

Like Jay Williams stated in an early 1950s American Rifleman article on bear rifles used in Alaska: "The 95 and 86 Winchesters were popular right up to the 30-06 and 375 H&H. But its the
man behind the rifle that levels out the calibers and rifles-through experience". He was right.