Dedicated 45-70 thread!

[2 Dogs]

I’m happy to say my pal Rob Leahy has agreed to let me take a Marlin 45-70 off his hands. I’m super excited and was texting my buddy Leftysixgun about it yesterday. Casting about I found a thread started by Silcott that had load data and other good information. For example Fowler made an excellent post about his preferences based on recoil. My idea is to try to get all that information in one place. If you want to help, you don’t have to start over, just copy and paste your message. Let’s not limit this thread to Marlins. I want to read about your No1 Ruger and your Winchesters too. Even your hand cannon! What have you killed or hunted with yours? Big bears? Thoughts on African hunting as well. Cast bullet data and loads are of special interest. Best dies?? Optics or not? Get with it guys!

[reflex264]

I only have 4 45-70s. Ruger #1, Marlin LTD-V, 1974 1895 and H&R155. I have killed hundreds of deer with 45-70s. I have used bullets from 250 grains to 560 grains. Cast and Jacketed. Does the rifle have microgroove or Ballard rifling? It makes a big difference. Ballard rifled Marlins are capable of accuracy you wouldn't believe.

[45MAN]

I HAD AN EARLY MARLIN 1895 IN 45-70 BACK IN THE 70's IIRC, BUT MOVED IT, NOW I WISH I STILL HAD IT.

NO 45-70's IN THE HOUSE FOR PROBABLY OVER 40 YEARS NOW, BUT I WILL BE FOLLOWING THIS THREAD.

[Lee Martin]

You'll love that 1895 Fermin. I bought a JM Guide Gun when they first came out (with the porting). Tried lots of different powders and bullets and for some reason it preferred the heavyweights (400 grains and up). The bullet which shot the best was Leadhead's 460 grain, which was designed to feed in Marlins. Blunt nose and all, it would group. With Tommy Mace's passing, I don't know if anyone offers it. But Accurate Molds cuts what I believe is the same bullet:

www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-460CG

Shot tight with IMR 3031 powder. Here's picture of my 1895. I added a Ultra Dot and laminate stocks from Numrich Arms:



Back in the 1980's, my dad converted two Siamese Mausers to .45-70. The first used a Ruger No. 3 take off barrel that he set back and rechambered. It's pretty light and pretty hard on the shoulder. The second one used a heavier Douglas blank. Capped with Hornady's 500 gr RN, you can damn near touch .458 Win Mag performance. Those loads aren't safe in a Marlin, but are solid in a bolt gun. I'll try to snap pictures of his Mausers. They're slick rifles.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing performance five shots at a time"

[reflex264]

Here is one of them. My late uncles 1895. I remember when he bought it new in 1974. It was the first gun that really impressed me.

[bigbrowndog]

Ferm, I’ll dig up my data I went thru while sorting my 4570 out, I even saboted some 35’s in it just for experimenting. Word of warning, the older Remington (I think) 300gr JHP’s are soft and meant for trapdoor level velocities. Pushed hard they expand violently and penetrate NADA!!! John Wootters wrote of his experience with them in a hog and I had similar experience on a deer. I have numerous, deer, pigs, and a bison on mine, then converted an old Marlin to 50AK and the 4570 sits in the safe unused for years. If you have any questions you have my number.

Trapr

[reflex264]

Here is a pic of my LTD-V with a .375 Whitworth.

[woody]

Here’s my 45/70. Started life as a guide gun. I put A 22” barrel on it. Shot a few deer with it. Mine shoots awesome with 325 gr FTX but too much damage!!! Also shoot Hornady 300 grain SP. Also shoots awesome!!!!!

[leftysixgun]

I have two 45-70s, Ruger No.1 and a 1895 22” Marlin made in early 80s right before the safety mandate. The Ruger shoots very well jacketed and cast. I now only shoot cast, a MiHa 462-420-GC backed by 32.5gr of IMR 4198 running about 1450fps. Accuracy fell apart if I pushed it any harder.
I mounted a small 1-4x20 Leupy on both. It makes 200yd shots fun and entertaining. The Marlin shoots the same load as the Ruger well enough I couldnt justify the extra time a lead spent experimenting. I hope to christen them with a pig hunt soon.

[2 Dogs]

Jul 15, 2022 15:55:26 GMT -5 leftysixgun said:

I have two 45-70s, Ruger No.1 and a 1895 22” Marlin made in early 80s right before the safety mandate. The Ruger shoots very well jacketed and cast. I now only shoot cast, a MiHa 462-420-GC backed by 32.5gr of IMR 4198 running about 1450fps. Accuracy fell apart if I pushed it any harder.
I mounted a small 1-4x20 Leupy on both. It makes 200yd shots fun and entertaining. The Marlin shoots the same load as the Ruger well enough I couldnt justify the extra time a lead spent experimenting. I hope to christen them with a pig hunt soon.

Thank you for the visit! Try not to be a stranger!

[parallaxbill]

I'd be more than happy to contribute any info gained from my Uberti 1885 highwall Special Sporting model and my original Springfield 1884 Trapdoor.

[bigbrowndog]

45/70
Marlin 1895 some 22” barrel and some 18” barrel. Speer #10 shows R7, 52gr. w/400FN to be loaded at 28k CUP, and Ruger #1 data at 35k CUP, 62gr. R7, w/400FN. Garrett Cartridges uses 35kCUP as its benchmark for the Marlin 1895.
350gr. Speer has thicker jacket than 400gr. and normally out penetrates it according to Speer, designed for 458wm velocity. Must be crimped over ogive.
22”……
R7 51gr., 300gr. JHP, 1991fps, load performs great on small Texas hill country deer and hogs to 150 pounds, when delivered broadside.
Shot deer at 50-60 yards, in butt trying to drive forward and had a long tracking job, luckily dog was able to stay on trail and locate after tracking 1/4-1/3 mile.
Further evidence of bullet fragility two shots on large hog 250-300 pounds at 60-75yds, received 6”-8” penetration, beautiful mushrooms, luckily 2 shots delivered into heart and pig bled out within sight.

R7 51.5gr., 300gr.JHP, 2000+ fps, good accuracy to 150yds. Reduce to 51gr. and hunt it……see above.
H4198 46gr., 300gr. JHP, 1915fps
H4198 46gr., 350gr.LFN, 1895fps, good job on doe @80yds.

18”……
R7 50gr., 350gr. Hornady FN, 1822fps
R7 50gr., 350gr. Speer FN, 1838fps, good accuracy for both 1”-1.5”@100 yds. Current do all load for 45/70.
R7 49gr., 400gr. Prec. Bullets, 405gr. FN from GAT bullets.

405gr. Cast MFN 18-20bhn, by GAT bullets, was used on 1400-1500 carcass weight bison bull, 1st shot, 80-100 yards, broke both shoulders and kept going, dropped bison.

Trapr

[leftysixgun]

The Speer 350 BigBrowndog speaks of is a very accurate bullet. It shot extremely well in my No.1 at 1900fps......but WHOA MAN the recoil....too much for this SlimJim.

[tj3006]

fermin,
Before I became a Revolver nut I was a rifle nut.
I went through a few 45/70 Marlins. Can't take the pounding anymore. The last Marlin I had was a 22 inch, with a 1X4 Leupold on it. The best I ever got it to do was 1.05 center to center at 100 yards. IMR 4198 and a Hornady 350 grain FP at 1900 fps !. I am half tempted to do it again, But I would stop at about 1650 FPS or pay my Chiropractor to fix my neck !...tj

[bula]

No 45/70's here...yet. You Guys ! I like the idea of the the thread too. So, we had Marlins, then Rem-Lins, what are we calling the current Marlin-Ruger version ? What is Ruger using for barrels, rifling, twist rate ? What can be expected ? Friend long gone now had a HnR or was it the NEF ? Looong barreled thing, that I shot. Fun ! Friend now, has a Henry and it is VERY nice.