Sbl if you can find one is a great choice. I prefer a pistol grip so for me the guide is not my personal favorite. But the SBL, GBL, Dark or Trapper would be what I'd look at make your choice based on availability and features wanted. I started out with a classic but the last few years had the small lever whacking my arthritic fingers too much and I found the 22" barrel too long for my carry style and short legs lol. Cutting down the classic and adding a big loop while possible was more expensive than selling it and buying a black. The SBL was my first choice but the black was like 400$ cheaper locally.. the trapper was a thought as well but the factory skinner peeps would only allow a std eye relief scope mounted over the receiver areas the black and SBL come with the full rail and XS sights..
Want a 45-70, best options?
- Thread starter platnumbob
- Start date
Sbl if you can find one is a great choice. I prefer a pistol grip so for me the guide is not my personal favorite. But the SBL, GBL, Dark or Trapper would be what I'd look at make your choice based on availability and features wanted. I started out with a classic but the last few years had the small lever whacking my arthritic fingers too much and I found the 22" barrel too long for my carry style and short legs lol. Cutting down the classic and adding a big loop while possible was more expensive than selling it and buying a black. The SBL was my first choice but the black was like 400$ cheaper locally.. the trapper was a thought as well but the factory skinner peeps would only allow a std eye relief scope mounted over the receiver areas the black and SBL come with the full rail and XS sights..
Guys who say 45-70 is a 100yd gun don't have a clue what they are talking about and are generally parroting things they heard at the gun counter.. 45-70 has been used out past 1300yds with iron sight since its birth. Often with irons.
Generally those old BP shooters know what they are doing and can fling lead a long ways out.
fade2black
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
Marlin 1895 Guide Gun, look for one used with the JM stamp on the barrel and you'll never look back.
I have a japan win 1886 24" a marlin gg and a chiappa 1886 12". You can hunt and plink with all of them. Also about 225 fps loss in velocity going from 24 inch to 12 inch barrel. the 12" pushes a 325 ftx 1900 fps with my hand loads. Barrel length not an issue. Nice to be able to put an optic on if you want. if i was to only have one. it would be my first one.. Marlin
Agreed ��
My hunting 45-70 is a Ruger #3. A 405 gc cast and 50 gr of 3031 about 1750 FPS. A deer at 200 would be in great danger 
. I’ve had many, #1,Browning 78,Sharps and Marlins. The #3 is light and a pleasure to carry. It does however kick. I’ve used up-to 56 gr charge but it is too much recoil in the light gun. You wii enjoy whatever you choose. From very light to 530 gr stompers all is fun. (Marlins won’t feed the long 500 gr bullets) Good luck.
. I’ve had many, #1,Browning 78,Sharps and Marlins. The #3 is light and a pleasure to carry. It does however kick. I’ve used up-to 56 gr charge but it is too much recoil in the light gun. You wii enjoy whatever you choose. From very light to 530 gr stompers all is fun. (Marlins won’t feed the long 500 gr bullets) Good luck.
A 350 grain 45 calibre bullet launched at 1800 fps will drop 3,250 inches (270 feet! ) at 1300 yards when zeroed for 100 yards. Remaining energy is about 240 foot pounds.
Yep! Just the ticket for hunting!
Thanks for making my point for me.please note I did not say it was used for game taking at 1300yds however the buffalo hunters of yesteryear would often take buffalo at ranges further than most of today's hunters can with scopes...Take a look at the military test results from the 1879 sandy hook experiment for just how effective the 45-70 would be at 1300yds. Many modern day cartridges would under perform at less than half that distance.
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/\/\/\/\ as for hitting at such distances....a quick YouTube search for long range 45-70 will bring up many guys hitting plates or gongs out to and past 1000yds using iron sights...one fellow does it with a guide gun off hand....in the hands a rifleman the 45-70 is capable as far out as you want. Just ask any of the bpcr shooters who compete with them.
You really seem to have missed the part where the OP was contemplating a 45-70 for hunting and plinking; 1000+ yard shooting at stationary targets is not hunting. BPCR shooting while a wonderful sport is also not hunting. Ringing steel at 500 yards also is very satisfying to the ear but again it is not hunting.
At the 1300 yards you quote the time of flight of the bullet is about 5 seconds or so - nearly long enough for most game animals to move to another time zone. Then, if you do manage to connect with a critter while holding 27 Elephant heights over the animals back line it will be with less energy than one could get whacking a mule in the a$$ with a stick.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
The 325 grain ftx opens it up a bit for sure, but after 125 metres, my irons and my eyes fail me. I use my lever as an irons only affair--7 pounds is perfect for woods loafing.
Never once lost sight of the OPs desire for hunting with 45-70 my reply was in response to those who say the 45-70 is a 100yd at best hunting rifle. No where did I say op should or would hunt at long range. I simply proved the 45-70 is much better at distance than many keyboard warriors know. Others on this thread made comments about the lack of ability as a hunting rifle I proved that incorrect. I'm not about getting into a pi$$ing match with you about it...suffice to say you probably havent killed anything with a 45-70 at any range so your knowledge is likely second hand hearsay. If I'm incorrect I'll admit it but I truly doubt your personal experience matches your opinion in your posts.
Keep digging that hole Sonny-boy. There are a few members here that I hunt and shoot with on a regular basis that can vouch for my experience.
I have been hunting for over 50 years and have shot literally truck loads of big game with everything from a 250 Savage up to a .375 H&H. And yes I have killed several animals with a 45-70 so I know exactly what the round is and is not suitable for.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Respectfully, the whole argument about 45-70's theoretical range is pointless. This is a forum about hunting rifles. I bet you could get a 22LR out past 500 metres if you held the rifle at a 45 degree angle. Hunting big dumb stationary/slow moving targets like buffalo were probably not a big challenge, and I can't imagine how many millions of Buffalos slowly bled to death, or died from infection, from poorly placed long-range shots by those old BP rifles. 45-70 has an effective range of about 200 metres give or take, after that, you are better off with a myriad of other cartridges.
when i guided for barrenground caribou few years ago 2 shown up with 45-70 lever action and ruger n01.
they had scope on it and when were in a few places where caribous has been with bow hunters and the guys were laughing at me ... the 45-70 did the job at over that distance like any other caliber. depending of your hunt and the game you re after. i was surprised and the 325 and 250 changed the approach and use of the 45-70. i have scope on mine and 200 without holding is more than doable. i have rifles to shoot at longer range but the 45-70 is not anymore depending of the ammo so limited as it was.
kelly ross wrote an article about what the 45-70 is nowadays and it is really interesting.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
The 45-70 in a levergun is beauty for hunting & plinking using 405 gr hardcast boolits. Folks wanting 45-70 performance from the sweet handling
Winchester Model 94 can opt for the newer units in 450 Marlin and enjoy the same results & ease of scope fitting as the 1895 Marlins.
Winchester Model 94 can opt for the newer units in 450 Marlin and enjoy the same results & ease of scope fitting as the 1895 Marlins.
A couple of months ago I was at the range with a half-dozen rifles sighting in before big game season opened. A friend of mine showed up and set up at the bench next to me.
I shot a few rounds from a few rifles before switching over to the Marlin 45-70. I shot 3 rounds and then noticed my buddy Dave and another shooter were staring at me. I stopped, called a cease fire, and removed my muffs.
I asked Dave what was up. He wanted to know what in the hell I was throwing down range. I said 405 grain Hard cast and the other shooter said it sounded like I was chucking full soup cans at the backstop. LoL
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Gotta love the fun & sound of big lead hitting home. Meat in the freezer be an asset to boot.
Ruger No.1-S .45-70 shoots flat to 250m with 300gr TSX@2600 fps mv. Elk stomper.
https://imgur.com/DqR82e3 / https://imgur.com/KlM3SDW / https://imgur.com/nXnFxM6 / https://imgur.com/5wqyRFs / https://imgur.com/iZcMvZE
https://imgur.com/DqR82e3 / https://imgur.com/KlM3SDW / https://imgur.com/nXnFxM6 / https://imgur.com/5wqyRFs / https://imgur.com/iZcMvZE
