Ol' Reliable - Marlin 1895 45-70

[DPHunter4570]

As firearm deer season approaches here in Illinois, and this year being the first full season with the new straight wall cartridge rifle rule, I was getting my rifle ready and thought I'd snap a few pictures and make a little post on my current favorite rifle. It's no double rifle or high end bolt action, but it's never let me down and proved totally reliable on some bear hunts in the US and Canada. I love this gun.

Started life off as a regular old Marlin 1895 GBL with factory 18.5" barrel, from the dreaded Remington years, and was totally worked over by Lew Bonitz at Grizzly Custom Guns in Montana. No stones unturned really in terms of a custom lever gun. New stocks bedded to the action, cerakote, hammer bob, action and trigger smoothed and slicked and tuned. Grizzly logo magazine tube cap, and GCG on the side of the action. This thing functions incredibly smooth and has a great trigger pull.

The XS rail and peep sight setup is great, can mount a scope scout style or normally. The peep sight and big front sight are great when shooting it with no scope. The Leupold VX-R Scout is awesome at 1.5-5 power with the fire dot. Fast target acquisition. I'm no die hard scout scope man, I have other marlins with regular scope setups, but I enjoy it on this rifle. The QD scope mounts are nice as well, I've had no return-to-zero issues. Leupold really booted it when they discontinued the VX-R line of scopes.

As far as accuracy goes, this rifle reigns supreme over my other Marlins in 45-70. One ragged hole is the norm with the only ammo I've ever fired through it. It shoots Hornady Leverevolution 325 grain FTX and 250 grain Monoflex, as well as the Federal 300 grain Hammer Down, exceptionally well.

All in all, a great rifle that performs flawlessly in it's role as a bear gun, brush gun, thick woods stomper. I hunt mostly thick, hilly, honeysuckle overgrown woods here in my corner of Southern Illinois, so my shots are seldom more than 50 yards. The same can be said for the areas in Maine, Minnesota, and Canada I bear hunt.

I love this rifle, and plan on taking it on many more deer and bear adventures. I'd even like to see it on the Alaskan tundra one day.

 

[DPHunter4570]

Neglected to mention my workaround for the single shot rule they tacked on here in Illinois if you're going to play the straight wall game. I simply cut a dowel rod to fit in the magazine tube to a length that allows the spring to depress a bit, but won't allow a round to be put in the mag tube. I'll just have to load through the breech. Not the best, not the worst plan. Hopefully, I only need one shot!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

That looks sharp. As a GBL owner - whose rifle has seen time on the tundra of Alaska, as well as being carried through the brush of the Eastern Cape of South Africa - I like what you did to that rifle. Well played sir.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

If you ever shoot really big stuff... I have found that the brass solids from Cutting Edge Bullets shoot really well from mine.

 

[Forrest Halley]

I like it. That's a very cool setup. I would use the ftx for reloading speed and ease. Have you seen the shell caddies that Velcro to the receiver of the Ruger #1? That would be more expedient without having to break the shoulder mount for a quick follow up shot.
How well does the drop and shut reload work? Does it load off the carrier or do you have to get it into the chamber?

 

[DPHunter4570]

I like it. That's a very cool setup. I would use the ftx for reloading speed and ease. Have you seen the shell caddies that Velcro to the receiver of the Ruger #1? That would be more expedient without having to break the shoulder mount for a quick follow up shot.
How well does the drop and shut reload work? Does it load off the carrier or do you have to get it into the chamber?

I've seen those velcro ammo holders on bolt actions, but never considered one on a #1, makes sense! I might have to look into that. Drop and shut seems to work pretty good so far, it will load off the carrier but I also have been able to get the round started into the chamber then shut the lever. We'll have to see how it goes in the heat of the moment!

I really wanted to find a 45-70 Number #1, I figured if they were going to limit us to single shot that was about perfect for the job. The couple I did find were fetching a pretty penny.

 

[DPHunter4570]

That looks sharp. As a GBL owner - whose rifle has seen time on the tundra of Alaska, as well as being carried through the brush of the Eastern Cape of South Africa - I like what you did to that rifle. Well played sir.

Thank you! You know, as I get ready for my first trip to Africa next spring and get my bolt guns ready, I keep falling back to the idea that this gun needs to come with me as well. It's like a safety blanket!

 

[Forrest Halley]

I've seen those velcro ammo holders on bolt actions, but never considered one on a #1, makes sense! I might have to look into that. Drop and shut seems to work pretty good so far, it will load off the carrier but I also have been able to get the round started into the chamber then shut the lever. We'll have to see how it goes in the heat of the moment!

I really wanted to find a 45-70 Number #1, I figured if they were going to limit us to single shot that was about perfect for the job. The couple I did find were fetching a pretty penny.

They aren't being made anymore and every idiot and his brother seems to think he's got himself a .458 WM with that gun. You might try the .458 WM tropical model if it fits the law. They are available.

Thank you! You know, as I get ready for my first trip to Africa next spring and get my bolt guns ready, I keep falling back to the idea that this gun needs to come with me as well. It's like a safety blanket!

Familiar firearms are the way to go when going to kill something in a far off place. I wish I was smart enough to follow this advice.

 

[RIDE-RED350r]

I love a lever rifle chambered in hyphenated 45!

Just brought home my second 45-70 three days ago.

A Winchester 1886 Trapper Limited by Davidsons. Already had it in the woods hunting yesterday. Trekked through some thick stuff. The little Trapper is handy for that.

The day before I ran my sight in shots through the chronograph and my 325ge FTX handloads are trucking along at a peppy 2020fps average from that short 16" barrel

 

[DPHunter4570]

H

I love a lever rifle chambered in hyphenated 45!

Just brought home my second 45-70 three days ago.

A Winchester 1886 Trapper Limited by Davidsons. Already had it in the woods hunting yesterday. Trekked through some thick stuff. The little Trapper is handy for that.

The day before I ran my sight in shots through the chronograph and my 325ge FTX handloads are trucking along at a peppy 2020fps average from that short 16" barrel

Heck yea they are handy! That's a good looking rifle you have. I've never had a Winchester but they are cool for sure, so much history behind them. I've always been partial to the Marlins. I have one of the new trappers made by Ruger. It's a sweet gun for sure.

 

[Forrest Halley]

I have already figured out my hunting arrangements for this season and you are not helping! I do not need a .45-70 to hunt with this season. I will not be swapping encore barrels. I will not be pulling things out of the safe...darn this is going to get interesting.

 

[DPHunter4570]

I have already figured out my hunting arrangements for this season and you are not helping! I do not need a .45-70 to hunt with this season. I will not be swapping encore barrels. I will not be pulling things out of the safe...darn this is going to get interesting.

Haha! You're welcome!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Thank you! You know, as I get ready for my first trip to Africa next spring and get my bolt guns ready, I keep falling back to the idea that this gun needs to come with me as well. It's like a safety blanket!

Mine has made the trip twice: black wildebeest, 2 zebras, a warthog, and 2 buffalo. Handloads both times. Inside 200 yards it does just fine.

 

[DPHunter4570]

Mine has made the trip twice: black wildebeest, 2 zebras, a warthog, and 2 buffalo. Handloads both times. Inside 200 yards it does just fine.

That is awesome. I definitely think I'll be taking it next spring. How did it do on the buffalo? Using those solids you mentioned I imagine

 

[leslie hetrick]

top is my 45-70 made in 1973 and the lower is its cousin a 44 mag also made in 1973 , but with the smaller 1994 auction. i should put up pictures of my original lever action 1886 in 45-90.

 

[cms62236]

Hi DP! fellow So Ill boy here. I will be joining you with my 45-70 this year. Mine happens to be that Ruger #1 you covet and let me tell you I am looking forward to using it on my home field. I have taken numerous deer in MO. and hogs in TN. and it has always been a beast! I have used the 325 FTX Leverlution on both with great results. I have a 45-70 Guide Gun as well but was too lazy to fit it with a dowel just to comply with our idiotic regs here. BUT I don't feel handicapped by the Ruger at all. I use one of the cheap elastic butt carriers. I cut it down to hold 2 cartridges and my wife made it a smaller diameter. I run it over the barrel with the cartridges on the right hand side. It slides under the scope so you don't see it and the scope ring keeps it from sliding towards me when I pull out a reload. Ii keep extra shells in my pack and restock if needed. But I figure I am not getting more than 3 shots at anything in the location I hunt anyway. Plus if I do my part I only need two shots to tag out. Good luck and shoot straight.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Glad to hear it. I hope you do. I want to see photos.

I shot two large mature cows (1300#ish, according to my PH/the owner). That was a cost consideration: I wanted to hunt buffalo and they were a whole lot cheaper than bulls. But I want a bull on my next trip.

Both cows involved a bunch of miles and hiking. The first was easy peasy once we caught up with the herd. The second resulted in a few blown stalks and starting from scratch before I got a shot. The first was a frontal shot at 40 yards. She knew we were there and was pissed. The bullet was found far back in the hindquarter. She was down inside 20 yards. The second was about the same distance (didn't get a range) and she was trotting pretty hard broadside. The bullet was recovered under the skin on the far side, ever so slightly mushroomed (solid brass!) She went about 30 yards before toppling. The load was the same. I don't remember the load data but I was getting about 1850ish on the chrono. I was sighted in for 75 yards, per my PH's recommendation. Both hunts were a hoot; I am super proud of both. My profile photo is cow #1 from 2021.

The photos are my second cow from this past June. Have you seen the movie Hellboy 2? Well, this is MY golden army.

 

[DPHunter4570]

top is my 45-70 made in 1973 and the lower is its cousin a 44 mag also made in 1973 , but with the smaller 1994 auction. i should put up pictures of my original lever action 1886 in 45-90.

Awesome!

 

[DPHunter4570]

Hi DP! fellow So Ill boy here. I will be joining you with my 45-70 this year. Mine happens to be that Ruger #1 you covet and let me tell you I am looking forward to using it on my home field. I have taken numerous deer in MO. and hogs in TN. and it has always been a beast! I have used the 325 FTX Leverlution on both with great results. I have a 45-70 Guide Gun as well but was too lazy to fit it with a dowel just to comply with our idiotic regs here. BUT I don't feel handicapped by the Ruger at all. I use one of the cheap elastic butt carriers. I cut it down to hold 2 cartridges and my wife made it a smaller diameter. I run it over the barrel with the cartridges on the right hand side. It slides under the scope so you don't see it and the scope ring keeps it from sliding towards me when I pull out a reload. Ii keep extra shells in my pack and restock if needed. But I figure I am not getting more than 3 shots at anything in the location I hunt anyway. Plus if I do my part I only need two shots to tag out. Good luck and shoot straight.

You've got a good setup from the sounds of it. I can't believe the single shot thing, but its just par for the course here anymore. I heard that they did that just to get rifle hunting on the books and will push for 3 shots in the next year or two. I wont hold my breath. Good luck this season!

 

[DPHunter4570]

Glad to hear it. I hope you do. I want to see photos.

I shot two large mature cows (1300#ish, according to my PH/the owner). That was a cost consideration: I wanted to hunt buffalo and they were a whole lot cheaper than bulls. But I want a bull on my next trip.

Both cows involved a bunch of miles and hiking. The first was easy peasy once we caught up with the herd. The second resulted in a few blown stalks and starting from scratch before I got a shot. The first was a frontal shot at 40 yards. She knew we were there and was pissed. The bullet was found far back in the hindquarter. She was down inside 20 yards. The second was about the same distance (didn't get a range) and she was trotting pretty hard broadside. The bullet was recovered under the skin on the far side, ever so slightly mushroomed (solid brass!) She went about 30 yards before toppling. The load was the same. I don't remember the load data but I was getting about 1850ish on the chrono. I was sighted in for 75 yards, per my PH's recommendation. Both hunts were a hoot; I am super proud of both. My profile photo is cow #1 from 2021.

The photos are my second cow from this past June. Have you seen the movie Hellboy 2? Well, this is MY golden army.

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Golden Army is right!! That's awesome!