Barrel length for 45/70

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zeddy32

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I'm getting a marlin 45/70 just after the holidays it will be strictly a hunting rig. I'm looking for opinions and recommendations on barrel length. I'm wanting to go with 22in but I like the mobility of the 18in. Anyone want to help me with pros and cons
 
18" may handle a bit better in tight quarters if you hunt those areas, but a 22" is manageable also. As for loosing speed with the shorter tube, I wouldn't worry much about that. Once you get a 400gr style hard cast lead bullet moving at around 1100fps or faster it will penetrate almost any big game animal in North America. I run a 405gr hard cast gas check at around 1450fps and it has penetrated length wise on moose.
 
I like 20-22” of barrel, longer is only useful when using irons IMO. 20-22” swings nicely when the action is fast. Muzzle blast is minor at that length also. Push a 405 woodleigh to 1800 and you have a 300 yard rifle that will kill anything
 
Shorter barrel all the way for me.

Unless you are strictly using irons. The longer sight radius will help. But a receiver mounted peep sight on the 18”bbl version will be way better then the factory sights on the 22” bbl.
 
Ditto on the 16.5” version. I’ve got/had lever guns with barrels from 16.5-24” and my 45/70 is the trapper with the 16.5” tube.
 
If you are hunting, get the 22"... if you are strolling and looking like you are hunting, get the 18"...
 
remington jim said:
The 45-70 Gov and the 450 M don't rely on velocity for penetration so the barrel lenght is ready not a big concern - Just say'in if you didn't already know this ! Cheers RJ
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time4t said:
Yes, I know the caliber well. Some high velocity fans have not got the memo about how well the 4570 performs, even at trapdoor velocities for that matter. regards, t4t
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I have had a couple dozen .45/70's over the past four decades, not to mention the .45/90/110/120's... barrels ranging from 16" - 32"... if I could only have one, it would have a 22" or 24" barrel... this has nothing to do with "velocity" or "killing power..." The rifles balance better at that length, without being as unwieldy as the 28-32" models, and the sight radius is better than the 16-18" models, when shooting iron sights. Although, while momentum is the game with heavy/slow cartridges, a few extra fps can't hurt, even if they don't help. From an aesthetic perspective, IMO the rifles look better than either the stubbies or the long snouts. It is just an opinion, YMMV.
 
I like the the 20" brl best for hunting as I have from 16-22" brls. It's good for off hand shooting and good for movement in tight areas. Muzzy recoil is still very managed with hot loads
 
Thanks everyone for info looks like it's a wash on barrel length between 18-22in barrel length I'll swing a few and see what feels best. Keep the opinions coming
 
I've got one of those ultra-short 1885's like the one dak47 posted. Ridiculously entertaining gun, and vey handy if you happen to be shooting from a confined space such as a small blind or a cramped treestand; so handy, in fact, that you must take extra pains to make sure the muzzle is actually sticking out the window before you squeeze the trigger! One of my pop-up blinds has an irregularly-shaped extra window due to that oversight on my part. :)

I had a scope on mine for awhile, but eventually went with an aperture sight. Not as precise as a gun with a longer sight radius would be, but still more than capable at 100-150 yards. I love that little rifle! :)
 
rifleman338 said:
18" may handle a bit better in tight quarters if you hunt those areas, but a 22" is manageable also. As for loosing speed with the shorter tube, I wouldn't worry much about that. Once you get a 400gr style hard cast lead bullet moving at around 1100fps or faster it will penetrate almost any big game animal in North America. I run a 405gr hard cast gas check at around 1450fps and it has penetrated length wise on moose.
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Perfect - and same here, I have the new Marlin with the short 16.5" barrel, havent lost much from 18.5" GG........ its negligable, came with Skinner Peep sight and shoots just as accurate as my GG with the same 405gr loads, cloverleafs.........
 
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