On a hunt for a Marlin SBL and info

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Foxer2373

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Jasper ON Zone 66A
Hey guys,

Looking to pick up a Marlin SBL for spring bear and all around heavy hitter... I am open to other suggestions but the big plus to me is the 6+1 tube, stainless and big lever.

I own s farm in Onterio all my hunting will be well within 200yards and 25-50 is the norm. Also do back country horseback riding and have a decent sized heard on the propperty that having a large bore rifle is needed. Would rather own this than a 338 that I have to worry about 2miles past my target vs 500yards.

I missed out on the used one on EE over the weekend. Retailers seem to be all over the map with in from $1285-1499 (if willing to wait for an order $1150) would like to get a decent deal on one as I know the dollar is crap but not long ago they could be had for 900-1000$

Chime in if you know of one available or own one or have expierince with a 45-70 in general.

Thanks as always!
 
I've owned and used Marlin 1895's , Ruger No1's & 3's and a Siamese Mauser in 45/70 for almost 40 years . I wouldn't be without one . I have an 1895 22 inch barrel Marlin right now , but have given it to a buddy after he took his first bear with it , bang flop kill . I'm looking at a Marlin GBL as I prefer the pistol grip over the straight grip Guide Guns , they're just more comfortable to shoot for me .The GBL's and ABL's are both under $ 1000 bones and will do anything the stainless versions will do . Unless you're totally sold on the stainless , maybe give one of them a look .
 
A number of site sponsors have them listed in stock, but all are in the $1300 range. Epp's has 3 in stock right now @$1285. That's going to be the new norm., but you could always wait till they're $1500. I love my SBL, and love the stainless, but am considering adding a GBL to the stable
 
My only concern was this will be my all weather work horse bush gun. I am concerned if I don't go stainless that I will run into large problems or large cleaning jobs if out in the rain?

these are so tempting I may just buy the ABL with rail or grab the GBL no taxes....
 
All of my Marlins have spent a lot of time out in bad weather and I've never had a rust problem . That being said , Ontario is a lot more humid than Alberta ,which is usually drier than a popcorn fart lol , so I can understand your preference for stainless . If you wait long enough , one will come up used , but from what I've seen on the EE , they're going for not much less than new rifles . I don't think you'll see them go any cheaper than they are now . Tough call , wait for a deal , wait to long and pay more , the age old dilemma .
 
anglia2 said:
All of my Marlins have spent a lot of time out in bad weather and I've never had a rust problem . That being said , Ontario is a lot more humid than Alberta ,which is usually drier than a popcorn fart lol , so I can understand your preference for stainless . If you wait long enough , one will come up used , but from what I've seen on the EE , they're going for not much less than new rifles . I don't think you'll see them go any cheaper than they are now . Tough call , wait for a deal , wait to long and pay more , the age old dilemma .
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I'm from Alberta, Edmonton just moved to Ontario to buy a farm. Yea there was an SBL posted Friday for $1100+ shipping didn't last an hour. The kicker for me is the Ontario taxes.
 
anglia2 said:
That's what I've been looking at . I wasn't familiar with the model , apparently , they're just a GBL with a salt & pepper laminate instead of the brown on the GBL .
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Yes on all fronts, the brown laminate is at Prophet and they have a no tax free ship right now. Tough call all around, I have my small town local gun shop trying to source and SBL (really want the all weather stainless) for under $1250 but I'm only giving them till the weekend. Spring bear starts in 2 weeks and I want a week to sight it in and get some rounds down range before hand.
 
Cant go wrong with stainless In wet conditions. Not that blues guns cant be looked after and managed but its harder. The GS is a good gun too but less in the tube, but if you need 6 rounds your doing it wrong :). I have a cut down 444xlr (basically a GS with a SBL stock) for my saddle gun and it works well for B.C.
 
I have an SBL finally en route and should be arriving today. Purchased under special circumstances directly from the distributor/importer. $960! I wonder if that's what the dealer costs are/were.
 
mastermind said:
I have an SBL finally en route and should be arriving today. Purchased under special circumstances directly from the distributor/importer. $960! I wonder if that's what the dealer costs are/were.
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Great deal sir! I'm still looking found a couple more at $1285 but haven't heard back from my local store yet. I would 100% buy the ABL instead but I really want the better weather proofing one.
 
Foxer2373 said:
Great deal sir! I'm still looking found a couple more at $1285 but haven't heard back from my local store yet. I would 100% buy the ABL instead but I really want the better weather proofing one.
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From what you described in your other posts, I think you would be better off spending the extra $2-300 to get what you want. The SS will hold up to the elements better than a blued finish and you will be using this around the farm often. I strongly believe in "buy once, cry once!". I've also found that stainless steel bores clean up much easier.

If money is really an issue you could always get the 1895 GS, stainless with walnut and straight grip.

p.s. I picked up an Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm scope from Prophet River with their current sale to accompany the SBL.
 
mastermind said:
From what you described in your other posts, I think you would be better off spending the extra $2-300 to get what you want. The SS will hold up to the elements better than a blued finish and you will be using this around the farm often. I strongly believe in "buy once, cry once!". I've also found that stainless steel bores clean up much easier.

If money is really an issue you could always get the 1895 GS, stainless with walnut and straight grip.

p.s. I picked up an Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm scope from Prophet River with their current sale to accompany the SBL.
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No 100% agree the extra couple hundred doesn't matter exept on the principal that it really is a 1000$ gun. I like the 6+1 chamber and the big loop.

I was looking at those scopes too from prophet.
 
Foxer2373 said:
No 100% agree the extra couple hundred doesn't matter exept on the principal that it really is a 1000$ gun. I like the 6+1 chamber and the big loop.

I was looking at those scopes too from prophet.
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There's only one left in matte now! Good deal. I went with the Gun Metal Gray to be different and hopefully compliment the SS and salt and pepper stock of the SBL

It may have been a $1000 a year ago, but likely with dealer inventory purchased in 2014 (my guess), but it's been over $1000 for a while now and only going up.

MSRP today is $1524.03..



Ignore the error in the description for 5-shot
 
mastermind said:
From what you described in your other posts, I think you would be better off spending the extra $2-300 to get what you want. The SS will hold up to the elements better than a blued finish and you will be using this around the farm often. I strongly believe in "buy once, cry once!". I've also found that stainless steel bores clean up much easier.

If money is really an issue you could always get the 1895 GS, stainless with walnut and straight grip.

p.s. I picked up an Leupold FX-II Scout 2.5x28mm scope from Prophet River with their current sale to accompany the SBL.
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Good deal, and the scope should be just the thing . Like I was saying earlier , in Ontario , I think the stainless would be a good idea . You guys have some brutal humidity .
 
I swore I would never buy a stainless lever...and I now have a JM-stamped SBL that's one of my favourite guns! Got it about 10 years ago and have never regretted it. I have a scout scope, a conventional scope and a red dot all set up in QD mounts that allow me to swap out from one to another very easily. The .45-70 was always a pet cartridge of mine, and I considered it something that only fit into traditional rifles, but the SBL is a hard-hitting 250-300 yard gun with plenty of firepower, fast cycling and lots of utility. Very versatile and effective, wonderful with Leverevolution ammo, and even better if you reload.

...and nothing beats the sound of a .45-70 going off! :)
 
jjohnwm said:
I swore I would never buy a stainless lever...and I now have a JM-stamped SBL that's one of my favourite guns! Got it about 10 years ago and have never regretted it. I have a scout scope, a conventional scope and a red dot all set up in QD mounts that allow me to swap out from one to another very easily. The .45-70 was always a pet cartridge of mine, and I considered it something that only fit into traditional rifles, but the SBL is a hard-hitting 250-300 yard gun with plenty of firepower, fast cycling and lots of utility. Very versatile and effective, wonderful with Leverevolution ammo, and even better if you reload.

...and nothing beats the sound of a .45-70 going off! :)
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Damn you all your just making me want it more not finding me a cheaper one lol!!!
 
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