Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Henry 45-70 vs Marlin 1895

I am trying to decide between these two for My Ohio gun season rifle, I currenty have a single shot CVA Apex rifle in 45-70 that is wonderfully accurate and a joy to shoot but now I have a hankering for a new lever gun in 45-70 but I know very little about them so would some of you guys that are in the know about these two rifles please throw in your 2 cents........I am aware of the QC issues Remington experienced when they first took over building Marlin lever rifles but from what I understand the new Marlins comming off the line now are much better and maybe the best examples yet..........Thanks for your input guy's............Hb

I can't compare the newer Marlins with the Henry. But did own two of the "JM" Marlins in 45-70 and they were without a doubt the worse lever actions I ever owned in my life. Both had feeding issues and would bind up every time I took them to the range. On more than one occasion had to take them apart at the range just to get the ammo out.

Been keeping my eyes open for one of the new Remlins as I would like to purchase one to see if they have improved. The quality of the wood fitment seems to be improving. If I bought a new Remlin would do so in person so I could examine the wood to metal fit.

On to the Henrys, own a 45-70 and love it! Never had any issues with it and if I did their customer support is some of the best out there. My vote goes for the Henry.

No experience with the Henry, but I have a JM Guide gun that has been trouble-free and is very accurate. The same is true of the 444SS that I had.

My understanding is the same as yours, the later "Remlins" are of improved quality, though I would inspect an individual rifle to see if it met my standards, but that is true of any brand.

I agree, you can find good and bad examples and I would be better off buying any rifle after a hands on expection........What of accuracy can I expect to get out of either of these rifles at 100 yds? Are 1.5"-2" groups what I can expect or are these rifles capable of even better?..... ....Thanks Hb

I have a couple of loads in different weights that are in the 1 to 1.5" range.

One is a 300 grain Speer at 1900 fps, using H322, and the other is with a 420 LBT bullet at 1650 fps, using H4198.

I also use a load with a 300 grain Hornady at 1650 fps, with H4198, that is just about as accurate as the Speer load, and both loads impact within 1" of each other at 100 yards. The reason for the slower speed with the Hornady is that it tends to expand quicker than the Speer, so I hold the speed back a little, and for deer there has been no difference in the reaction at the shot. I will give the edge in penetration to the Speer, and it can be driven quite fast. I've gone up to just over 2200 fps with it.

Recoil with the milder 300 grain loads makes it very pleasant to shoot, about like a .308 or something in that class. The heavier bullets start getting noticeable and I tend not to fire as many at a time. Point of impact between the two weights is also far enough away to require a sight adjustment and staying with that load.

Thanks Vic.....Excellent information.........Hb

I've got JM Marlin 45/70's and also two pre-crossbolt ones. Everything from the standard ones, to guide guns, and one XLR MODEL. I like them all.

As per the Henry, its not what I would purchase. I just can't get passed an receiver that doesn't have an loading port. This is just not for me for the price Henry charges. I just can't stand cutting corners like this.

No loading port is a none issue for me, I kind of like the idea of being able to unload My rifle without cycling every round through the chamber......and I am not a fan of the push button safety on the Marlin so I am leaning heavily toward the Henry H010 at the moment, the extra $100 for the cost of the Henry is also a none issue....I would like to read some range reports for the Henry before I pull the trigger and lay out the Money.....From what I can gather the Henry H010 45-70 is a new model for them so there's not a lot of info available.................Hb

An older model used Marlin does not interest Me at all, I want a brand new rifle.................Hb

I found an excellent review of the Henry H010 on youtube by Gunblast.com and even a great video by Iron Element which compared the Marlin 1895 to the new Henry H010, both were beautiful rifles....Now I want one of each..Ha!.........Hb

I love the loading tube on the Henry. Same design on the 22 mag and 22 LR that I also own.

Cycle both the Marlin and the Henry and you will immediately feel how much smoother the Henry is out of the box.

I have never shot my Henry beyond 75 yards but at that distance it keeps everything within a 1 inch circle.

I am very open to that. If anything, it would make unloading easier.

And the solid receiver would have to be stiffer.

I like the looks of the loading tube setup on the Henry too.

Easier/safer unloading, less beating up the brass.