Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Best 45-70 levergun

What would be your pick for most accurate, reliable leveraction 45-70.

Imaginary? A winchester '86 stainless, 22 inch octagon barrel.<BR>Real? Within a few months Marlin will release the Guide Gun 45-70 stainless, this is my pick. ~~~Suluuq

Marlin 1895 T, don't make 'em anymore and you can't have mine. Close second Marlin 1895 SS, don't like the 18.5" barrel or muzzle brake.

Of the rifles currently in production I would pick the 1895ss...great rifle...ballard rifling is equally impressive with jacketed and lead bullets...can handle higher pressures for reloading or hot commercial loads like Garret Ammo...proven name and reputation.<BR>I personally do not like the 18.5" ported barrel on the Guide Gun series...if they would have left the porting off it would have been just as fine a rifle in my opinion. The longer barrel of the SS will give better down range accuracy and won't cause you to bleed from the ears...hahaha<P><P>------------------<BR>keep em sharp,<P>ron herman

Marlin 1895ss or Marlin 1895g.

Tradhunter, I agree with losing the porting and can't imagine why anyone would want it.<BR> That 1895ss is going to be sweet.

Does any body else sell a 45/70 Levergun other than Marlin? Seriously, the answer is the Marlin Guide Gun!

I have both the 1895ss and the Guide gun. After spending time on the range and in the woods with both rifles, I would recommend the 1895ss. The Guide gun is too loud with the porting, the barrel is too short to suit me, the straight stock does not provide a comfortable, secure grip and the stock is too short! I put a 1" Decelerator on to pick up a little length. It's OK as a bear protection gun or for under the seat of the pickup, but when it comes to serious hunting, the 1895ss has it all!<P>------------------<BR>Phil Life Member SCI&NRA

When I bought my Guide Gun a guy at another gun shop told me that he had sent a few back to Marlin and they had replaced the ported barrel with a same length non-ported barrel. He didn't say if or how much they charged to do it. My vote is obvious. Sean

Weighing in a bit late on this thread, but I see no one has mentioned the Winchester 1886 Extra Light.<P>Never seen one except in the review by Brian Pearce in Rifle magazine. Seems like the 1886 should be a pretty good rifle for the 45-70. It is kinda pricey, though.<P>Just an unedificated thought.

My vote goes to the Marlin 1895SS and or the Guide Gun <P>coug<P>------------------<BR> <BR><B><BR>Best Regards,<P> <A HREF="http://www.coug2wolfs.com" TARGET=_blank>www.coug2wolfs.com</A> <P>Life is a journey, not a destination. Take the time to enjoy the gifts of the Great Spirit along the way.</B><BR>

Okay, belay my last post. I examined not one but two of the new Winchester 1886 Extra Light rifles today. One store priced it at $1,000 and the other had it at $899.<P>To say they are a nicely made rifle is an understatement. Now, be aware that they are one of those evil "Made in Japan" Winchesters, actually made my Miroku.<P>But metal finish, wood to metal fit, handling, everything was first rate. The grip is sort of large but nicely rounded. The bottom of the receiver is rounded ala pre-64 Model 94's and carries real nice. And man oh man, it just shoulders and feels solid. Also, it has a tang safety, a slightly lesser evil than the crossbolt sore thumb sticking out the side of Marlins and Winchesters alike.<P>In lever actions overall I'd have to agree that Marlins are a bit better than Winchesters for accuracy. As far as reliability I've experienced some jams with one Marlin 1894 .44 but never with any of about 4 separate Model 94 Winchesters and none with three separate Marlin 336's, so call it even. <P>But if you want the best looking and best handling 45-70 levergun specifically then I'll have to cast my vote for this Winchester 1886.

I've only shot a couple of Marlins in .45-70, but quite a few Winchesters....fwiw the 1895 Marlin has been the most accurate, but I would rate the 1886 Winchester slightly more reliable, which does seem odd considering the number of parts. The Winchester is my favorite, but the Marlin is an awfully nice gun, and far easier on the checkbook.