@norfolk shooter
It doesn't have to make sense to you or anyone else. Does it make sense that archery tackle is legal for DG but the 35W isn't? Some people like the challenge. And for the PH who is willing to provide an opportunity to hunt DG with a lever action in whatever legal cartridge...why not?
I will remain senseless then....
Here is what I like about the Ruger Marlin 1895 SBL: High quality stainless steel, excellent open sights, large loop lever, rugged laminate wood, threaded barrel, and rugged construction allowing the use of hot loads. It is extremely accurate. It is an unusually well thought out and executed piece of work that gives me a lot of flexibility of load choice. If there is another gun that has these qualities, at the same quality level or better, then I would be interested in replacing the 1895 SBL. I hunted with a Henry 45-70 in AK last September, and I was not impressed with it. The rear sight kept migrating about every 30 minutes, the barrel steel rusted very easily, and the accuracy was about 4" at 100 yards with Federal Hammer and Hornady FTX ammo.
In Zimbabwe a special permit is required. Maybe you should suggest to National Parks that they have a special permit for calibers that they consider inadequate for dangerous game? The correspondence should be interesting, especially if your PH says its fine with him.
@CoElkHunter
Yes, I’ll bet Ruger HAS upped the quality of the Marlin. I haven’t personally fondled one yet but they’re a nice looking rifle. I have shot my buddy’s older Marlin .45-70 with an 18” barrel and his son’s with a 22” barrel. I thought they shot fine for a shorter range big game rifle, but the recoil with the 18” barrel was a bit “lively “. We were using 325gr. FTX ammo.
The recoil doesn’t bother my body, because it is a true size XXL, sometimes XXXL in hunting coats, because I layer so much underneath. Some of the layers I can remove at will, others I can’t seem to take off, and they also provide ballast for absorbing recoil. The new 1895 SBL is really well done. I can see why a person would make it his all-round hunting rifle, from Alaska to Midwest whitetails to African big game. Few guns have that much range of motion/ opportunity/ use. If you look at Michael’s testing, the results are remarkable. The modern solids take the caliber into a new realm of effectiveness. Anyhow. The prices are bonkers right now. Unless you absolutely must have one right now, I’d wait.
I used to own a BLR in .358 Win. I off-loaded it because of extraction problems. I would FAR druther trust my life to my Marlin .45-70 than a Browning in either of those calibers.
I think you misunderstand my view on the subject of using a 45-70 for dangerous game.
As far as I know that permit does not exist, but strange things happen. Thats why I stated I would be interested in the correspondence.
