45-70 Lever Rifle, which one?

O

Omenator

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BC, Fraser Valley
I was wondering what the options are in 45-70 lever rifles (both new and old are fine)? This will be used in dense bush and shots will likely max out at about 60 yrds, so I'm thinking of using open or peep sights and thinking about a low powered scope, but would like to keep the scope off to reduce the weight. I'm not a fan of the push button safety on the new Marlin 1895, would like to find something with a half #### notch as that's what I'm used to (have an old Winchester 1894 30-30).
 
On the newer marlin safeties one could put a c clip on it if it hassles a person.
The pistol grip might be a little better for recoil
With newer sight systems one could have a peep and still have a scope with quick release rings
It does work well
 
The Winchester extralight either original or miroku.

Had one side by side on the gun counter with the marlin 1895, it was an easy choice which one to choose.
 
I have a Rossi Rio Grande in stainless I put a skinner peep sight on it with a fire eye front, I really like it because of its light weight but there does not seem to be too many Rio Grande fans around. I had a Marlin 1895GBL with an XS sight set that I sold to a good friend. I think the consensus will be a JM stamped used Marlin guide gun or a Henry. Before our dollar tanked I had thought of selling the Rossi and replacing it with a Henry as I thought I might prefer their loading tube. I prefer the XS wing sights over the Skinner as I found the XS easier to adjust but both are good and for me, far superior to the original sights. Unlike many others I don't mind the cross bolt safety. If money is not an issue there is of course Winchester.
 
Omenator said:
Not familiar with the Winchester extralight, is that the same as the 1886?
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Basically the same rifle as the old 86's and the good news is it doesn't have a cross bolt safety, the bad news is that it has a tang safety and no half-#### notch in the hammer.

To get a 45-70 with half #### I think you are going to have to look at vintage rifles, either Winchester 1886 or Marlin 1895 (remember vintage, not the modern versions). You will drop the hammer on at least 2 Gs for a "shooter of either make, the Marlin are scarcer so might be a bit more. You will pronbably have to drop 1600 on a new Miroku now so not a lot of difference between the old & new
 
The first Browning / Miroku '86 from some 20-odd years ago was made identical to the original 1886 SRC with the half-#### notch safety.
I'd never part with mine, super nice rifle..
 
The new Winchester and Browning 86 is a much stronger action than the Marlin...some will argue that point but its pretty much an accepted fact ,common sense will tell you that when you just look at the mechanics of the two ,the Marlin is a lighter package for sure , but the Browning SRC is a nice compact rifle and like someone mentioned earlier is a real dandy .
 
Did a little searching on the Winchester 1886 and copies. It looks like Davide Pedersoli & C. make copies that are mostly true to the original style with the half #### notch on the hammer and no extra safety. I've never seen one of these before and not sure who caries them in Canada. Also not sure if they are of similar quality to the Browning or Winchester.
 
In my opinion the best buy on a 45-70 lever action is a JM stamped Marlin 1895 in whatever configuration you prefer.

My choice is a Marlin 1895GS = stainless steel with a 18 1/2" barrel.

I have mine set up with Warne two piece scope bases I mount a scope using Leupold QRW rings when I don't want the scope on I pop it off and install a rear XS Sights low Weaver Ghost Ring backup sight onto the rear scope base.

Coolest looking to me is the 12" barreled takedown Chiappa Ridge Runner exclusive to Wanstalls in Mission, BC issues with this gun to me are it is not stainless but nickle coated and it costs $2000.00 now if it didn't cost so much I'd own one.

My most fun 45-70's to carry/shoot/hunt with are my single shot 14" and 22" barreled T/C Contender carbines and I'm trying to decide if I buy a 45-70 barrel for my T/C Prohunter.
 
Winchester/Miroku 1886 without a doubt...

Win1886_zpsd28b08ad.jpg
 
To answer Omenator's question: The Pedersoli 86/71 rifle is an excellent copy of the Winchester 1886. Build quality and function are first rate. Marstar, a site sponsor, carrries the Davide Pedersoli brand.
 
The 1895 Marlins with the push button safety ALSO have the half-#### feature, so you still have that option if you don't like the push button feature. All 4 of mine had both options and I always used the full #### position when in the field with the push-button ON which blocks the hammer if it falls. It's all about what you get used to.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
Kevan said:
Maybe I'm wrong but a 12" or 14 " barrel on a 45-70 makes about as much sense as would a 4" barrel on a 300 Weatherby...
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Not at all. It ain't hard to get good performance on game within sensible ranges with short barreled .45-70 rifles. Just ask folks with TC Contender or Encore carbines who pack 'em & hunt 'em hard.
 
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