Debating two Lever "Bush" Guns

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mellows

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Hello CGN,

I'm caught in between a rock and hard place without a bush gun!

Looking at the Chiappa Alaskan Scout 12" Takedown in .44 Mag or the Marlin 1895 SBL. Looking for a rifle to carry for the longer hiking and camping trips and I do not have as much experience as I'd like with the .44 Mag and the 45-70 Gov. I don't plan on mounting an optic and would prefer a Peep sight setup.

Two different rifles and calipers but would be used if needed to keep the family safe in a worst case scenario.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I've read great and negative reviews on QC for both rifles. Any personal experience out there?

*Wanting to add in. I do have a DLASK Shorty 8.5" and due to barrel length with slugs would this be effective?*

Thank you!
 
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Question number 1 is: Do you handload?

Both calibers can benefit greatly from handloading (plinking with cast to high energy for big animals) but I have had seen a lot more ammo choices at local or small shops with .45-70).

If it were me, I would go with the .45-70 in a marlin any day - have owned several guide guns but sold them, currently have a marlin 1895 cba that is lighter and slimmer than a standard guide gun.
 
Is it a last chance bear gun, or a hunting rifle? If it’s just for bear protection get the smallest easiest to carry one. Hunting is a longer range deal so the 44 is less capable. Also, people talk about how powerful a handloaded 45-70 is a lot. Much less talk about the recoil level, especially if you aren’t familiar with relatively light thumpers.
 
At this time I do not hand load. I would like to start at one point but that wont be this season. This rifle will be a last ditch effort if it's truly needed.
 
mellows said:
At this time I do not hand load. I would like to start at one point but that wont be this season. This rifle will be a last ditch effort if it's truly needed.
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I use mine as a backup when bow hunting. I figure past 25yds there is no reason for me to shoot anything with it. A maxed out 45LC load in my Mare’s Leg isn’t uncomfortable to shoot from a small rifle. Handloading does allow me to wake up the 45 and put its power just past the 44Mag.
 
My 2 cents.

While I don't have a Chiappa in 44 mag, I have a Henry Big Boy Brass is 44 mag. This is my little thumper. I do have a Marlin 1895 SBL which is my big thumper. The fit and finish on both of these rifles is outstanding. Cost wise, if you don't reload, would go to the 44 mag as I just paid $50 + taxes for 50 rounds of factory for the first shoot. I have only bought one box for the Marlin at around $60 + taxes for 20 rounds for the first shoot. I always buy a box of factory for the maiden trip to the range for all my rifles. I reload so only one box of factory each. With a lot of negative comments on the net dealing with the newer Marlins, I inspected the SBL prior to handing over the coin. I was not disappointed. If you go with the 45-70, it would make economical sense to start reloading as a trip to the range will get expensive.
 
You've done your research on the Marlins so be sure you hand pick and examine every inch of the rifle including the front sight cant. Research the Marlin Jamming issue. Hate to be in the bush and can't load due to a jam. Reliability over looks is what I want in a bush rifle.

Can't speak for the Chaippa except they're expensive.

How about a Henry 44mag Mare's Leg and order a full length stock and a standard size lever for a really nice compact bush gun. Check out my old thread on my Mare's Leg mod.

Don't be caught up on side load gate only do some YouTube research on the Henry tube fed and it's much safer to unloads well. I can load 5 plus 1 in my 12" barrel Big Boy.

As for 45-70.... I have one but use it for hunting but it may now be replace with my 308 for deer and black bear.
 
The ROC said:
You've done your research on the Marlins so be sure you hand pick and examine every inch of the rifle including the front sight cant. Research the Marlin Jamming issue. Hate to be in the bush and can't load due to a jam. Reliability over looks is what I want in a bush rifle.

Can't speak for the Chaippa except they're expensive.

How about a Henry 44mag Mare's Leg and order a full length stock and a standard size lever for a really nice compact bush gun. Check out my old thread on my Mare's Leg mod.

Don't be caught up on side load gate only do some YouTube research on the Henry tube fed and it's much safer to unloads well. I can load 5 plus 1 in my 12" barrel Big Boy.

As for 45-70.... I have one but use it for hunting but it may now be replace with my 308 for deer and black bear.
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Marlin jamming issue is news to me. Did a lot of research prior to getting my SBL, never came across any jamming issues. Not saying that it's not out there on the web, but just never came across it. No issues with jamming on my SBL.
 
Have my SBL setup in a scout config (Leupold 2.5 fixed). What a beautifully handling carbine. With the scout up front it feels just about perfect.

Also have the 336BL in same config except running a 2.75 Burris. Bloody Marlinitis...

*jamming issues are many times representative of a new to lever gun shooter running the lever with the rifle in odd positions, untested ammunition in the rifle (ESPECIALLY HANDLOADS that may have bullets depth issues that don't feed nicely), or havent racked the rifle enough to even break it in before running it hard...*
After all the above has been sorted out, then maybe its the rifle.
 
If you keep one in the chamber either will work. I wont bet my life on a chiappa or a new remlin. If a lever gun is a must buy an old jm or new winchester. Henrys are quality but lack the side loading gate
 
Reliability = 1894 Marlin in 44 Mag would be a nice reliable rifle Cowboy versions are out there in 45 Colt as well.

My bush lever guns are a JM stamped Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 and a LSI Puma M92 in 45 Colt/454 Casull but I also pack short 14" barreled single shot T/C Contender carbines in 45 Colt, 375JDJ & 45-70.

I reload so I can design - load exactly the round I want.

For hunting all of these combo's are good out to 150 yards and I'll hunt out to 200 yards with the 1895GS and the 375JDJ and 45-70 single shot Contenders.
 
If you really want a Marlin lever action take the time and trouble to look for a good one, they are out there. My 1894 (.44Mag) was manufactured under Remington ownership and it is well built and works just as it should.
 
Pass on the Chiappa! Too many internal problems. The 45-70 is a stopper, but I have Pumas in 45 class and 454 that are much lighter. All these calibers will benefit from reloading. Cost wise reload for less tha 1/2 retail & get better ammo to fit need.
 
Thank you guys,

I've pulled the trigger on a Marlin 1895 GSBL. I like the idea of the "Guide Gun Concept" as i'm not into hunting yet I think it can give the best of both worlds. After hearing the negative press with the Chiappa and it being an overseas gun and warranty turn around times the Marlin sounds great.

Reloading in the near future. Anyone have any suggestions where I can purchase a 405 grain factory round? I have located some Hornady 45-70 but they are in the 300ish grain loads.
 
GMC403 said:
If you’re considering the 44mag, another handy option would be the Ruger 77/44. Lightweight, weatherproof and just a good all round backpack rifle.
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would luv that with a 10 rnd dbm..........dreaming......

OP if your not out for killing power, a 44 mag will get more smiles per dollar
 
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I've had both, they are totally different from each other. If grizzlies are your worst case scenario the 1895 is your choice. Just make sure you find one that runs smooth and reliably. Mine was a clunky POS. Sold it beacuse of the poor workmanship, I didn't want to spend the money to get it up to speed. Hauling it around camping won't be fun. Its heavy for its size. And IMHO the cross bolt safety is stupid, especially if you might use it defensively. Its one of those guns I really wanted to love but the quality was so lacking. Hopefully they've improved.

If grizzlies aren't an issue, a .44 magnum is plenty. My chiappa was a really cool gun but not very accurate, especially with the shorter barrel.

A compromise between the two would be a .44 mag takedown with a longer barrel; Or perhaps a BLR takedown in a heavier caliber which is a far better built gun than both.
Cheers!
 
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