New .45-70 Marlin 1895 GBL

[Slamfire]

Just got this (on sale with free shipping from Cabela's plus a $100 rebate offer from Marlin) at about a 30% discount. Incentive enough.

Long history with the .45-70 Marlin. I've owned an SS, GS and XLR (never should have sold my SS). I decided on the GBL model this time because the brown laminate stock is more weather resistant, and the 18-1/2" barrel makes it nicer handling. Plus when I first saw the GBL model I just liked it.

Fit and finish of my rifle are both excellent. No issues whatsoever (contrary to the lingering belief about the inferior build quality of Marlin rifles since Remington acquired the company).

Deciding on how to scope this rifle. I prefer the scope to be mounted as far forward as possible so I've got an XS Lever Scout Rail on order. 2 scopes in mind - Leupold 2.5x or Nikon 3-9x with BDC reticle.

My rifle functions flawlessly. Trigger pull is heavy but crisp. Got a 2" group at 100 yards off the bench with the Nikon scope mounted using a Leupold 1 piece base and Leupold QRW rings. It's capable of tighter groups, just need to find the right load. A 405gr bullet launched at 1850 fps is effective Moose medicine.

 

[DIGGER2]

I too found my new SBL fit and finish to be pretty good. I too had to make a decision regarding my scope selection,I wanted to retain the use of the XS sights so I ended up ordering a FXII 2.5x28 Scout from Prophet River. Never had a Scout setup nor have I even looked through one, hope I like it. It just arrived yesterday and haven't even taken it out of the box yet. I'm gonna run 425gr Jet bullets for this gun. Should make a awesome heavy cover hard hitting rig.

 

[Slamfire]

I have a Browning Scout mount on my 358 BLR take-down. Initially I installed my Leupold 2.5x Ultralight, which has about 5" of eye relief, as rearward as possible on this mount. Image diameter was blacked out a bit too much so I got a Leupold 2.5x Scout. The advantage with the scope mounted on the barrel on a take-down rifle is that the rifle remains sighted-in upon re-assembly.

Compared with the 2.5x Ultralight, the 2.5x Scout is brighter (28mm objective vs. 20mm) but field of view is a bit narrow (7.3m/100m vs. 13.3m/100m). But then with the scope mounted way forward this allows aiming with both eyes open which enhances peripheral vision for quick target acquisition.

The XS Lever Scout rail for the Marlin extends more rearward so an IER scope doesn't necessarily have to be used with it. More for aesthetics, on lever rifles I prefer to have the scope eyepiece forward of the hammer.

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/fx-ii-scout-ier-2-5x28mm

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rimfire-scopes/fx-ii-ultralight-2-5x20mm

 

[mkozyn]

Congratulations!!!
I bought mine back in 2014 from Wholesale Sports for $449. I love loading up 405gr Missouri lead bullets with H322. I had a scope on it but I went to some Skinner peep sights just cuz it's my bush gun. I get 2" groups all day long, as long as my shoulder will take it.

Kozy

 

[Slamfire]

That's a deal! Be about $470 in 2017 dollars.

https://westegg.com/inflation/#

Any issues with build quality because that might have been back in The Dark Ages of Marlin rifle production?

 

[Northern Amateur]

Nice rifle! I have a couple of remington marlins and have had no issues. I also have a couple of JM marlins to compare. If you can look over a couple examples at the LGS you tend to find at least one nice one.
On a side note, I am finding certain stores tend to get crap irregardless of manufacture (remington, S&W, Colt, Winchester etc). Not sure what's going on but a friend of mine noticed it too.
Enjoy your new toy!!

cheers,

 

[Slamfire]

Thanks! I have one once again. Not sure what it is exactly about the .45-70 Marlin, but for me it's one of the most satisfying game stompers there is.

 

[AlbertaJohn]

I have one of those and love it..

Also thinking of scopeing mine because the old eyes and iron sites is a bad combo.lol

But gotta have a long eye relief scope cause I don't want scope eye if you know what I mean.

 

[Slamfire]

Good reason to get the eyepiece forward of the hammer. Eager to get my XS Scout rail then decide on what to go with. A compact scope for sure, not the Nikon 3-9x.

 

[Slamfire]

Changed the scope and rings to an older Leupold M8 Compact 4x28mm and lighter weight low Burris Z Rings. This scope has about 6" of eye relief. The standard duplex reticle was changed to a German #4 which provides good contrast for quick target acquisition at close range. The thin portion of the crosshair below center subtends 24" at 100 yards which is good to know for use as an approximate rangefinder.

52.0gr of Accurate2015 with the Hornady 350gr RN bullet chronographed at 1775 fps which corrects to a muzzle speed of 1800 fps. In good agreement with the Accurate Load Data listed for this bullet and powder (24" vs. 18.5" barrel, MV reduced by ~100 fps). Fired primer appearance indicates it's a relatively low pressure load in my rifle only (~27,000 psi listed).

Groups 1-1/2" at 100 yards off the benchrest. Quite acceptable since actual scope magnification is only 3.6x. Also shown is a 200 yard group off the benchrest (-11" drop) and a 100 yard group offhand. Deadly.

The XS Lever Scout Rail will allow the scope to be mounted further forward. Next step.

45-70 Marlin 1895 GBL with Leupold M8 Compact 4x28mm

350gr RN / 52.0gr A2015

Leupold Compact 4x with German #4 reticle

 

[Northern Amateur]

'MOA of dinner plate' is plenty for most critters with this calibre. Nice shooting by the way. Your off hand and bench are near identical. Bravo!!

cheers,

 

[torontogungal]

Just got this (on sale with free shipping from Cabela's plus a $100 rebate offer from Marlin) at about a 30% discount. Incentive enough.

Long history with the .45-70 Marlin. I've owned an SS, GS and XLR (never should have sold my SS). I decided on the GBL model this time because the brown laminate stock is more weather resistant, and the 18-1/2" barrel makes it nicer handling. Plus when I first saw the GBL model I just liked it.

Fit and finish of my rifle are both excellent. No issues whatsoever (contrary to the lingering belief about the inferior build quality of Marlin rifles since Remington acquired the company).

Deciding on how to scope this rifle. I prefer the scope to be mounted as far forward as possible so I've got an XS Lever Scout Rail on order. 2 scopes in mind - Leupold 2.5x or Nikon 3-9x with BDC reticle.

My rifle functions flawlessly. Trigger pull is heavy but crisp. Got a 2" group at 100 yards off the bench with the Nikon scope mounted using a Leupold 1 piece base and Leupold QRW rings. It's capable of tighter groups, just need to find the right load. A 405gr bullet launched at 1850 fps is effective Moose medicine.

Get one of the Wild West Guns trigger kits from Brownells.
Our 336SS trigger is 3# and crisp.
Really makes a difference to those groups.
Well worth the money.
The first NY manufactured guns had a high lemon rate but the 2016/17 runs of remlins are as good as the
JMs ever were.

 

[Slamfire]

'MOA of dinner plate' is plenty for most critters with this calibre. Nice shooting by the way. Your off hand and bench are near identical. Bravo!!

cheers,

Thanks! No issues with the rifle, appears that I got a good one. Receiver alignment with the barrel is very good because scope elevation and windage adjustments are near mid points, not skewed either way. Canted barrels are a pain.

I could get more speed from the 350gr RN bullet but I prefer to use 400 or 405 gr jacketed bullet. Need to go find some.

 

[Northern Amateur]

Thanks! No issues with the rifle, appears that I got a good one. Receiver alignment with the barrel is very good because scope elevation and windage adjustments are near mid points, not skewed either way. Canted barrels are a pain.

I could get more speed from the 350gr RN bullet but I prefer to use 400 or 405 gr jacketed bullet. Need to go find some.

I just started reloading for this and have squirreled away several boxes of Hornady 500gr jacketed bullets and a box or two of Speer? 400 gr. If you get the chance, try a 444 Marlin. It'll put a grin on your face too!!

 

[Slamfire]

Get one of the Wild West Guns trigger kits from Brownells.
Our 336SS trigger is 3# and crisp.
Really makes a difference to those groups.
Well worth the money.
The first NY manufactured guns had a high lemon rate but the 2016/17 runs of remlins are as good as the
JMs ever were.

That would be a nice upgrade over the stock 5+ lb trigger pull. The Bear Proof ejector would also be a nice upgrade.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/triggers-parts/triggers/trigger-happy-kit-prod16630.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/ejector-parts/ejectors/marlin-1895-336-444-bear-proof-ejector-prod16629.aspx

 

[Slamfire]

I just started reloading for this and have squirreled away several boxes of Hornady 500gr jacketed bullets and a box or two of Speer? 400 gr. If you get the chance, try a 444 Marlin. It'll put a grin on your face too!!

Marlin lever rifles, love 'em. Always did.

 

[torontogungal]

That would be a nice upgrade over the stock 5+ lb trigger pull. The Bear Proof ejector would also be a nice upgrade.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/triggers-parts/triggers/trigger-happy-kit-prod16630.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/ejector-parts/ejectors/marlin-1895-336-444-bear-proof-ejector-prod16629.aspx

If you can find a stock Marlin 336/1894/1895 with a 5# trigger pull out of the box you probably don't need the wwg upgrade.
The trigger on our 336SS was about 8# and gritty.

 

[torontogungal]

I don't like those floppy Marlin triggers and would substitute the wwg 'trigger happy' group anyway.
They're not far off $100 but both the hubby and I need a good trigger.
Why have a quality rifle with a fence post for a trigger?
Our 336ss shot well (about 1.5 moa) with the 170 gr factory core-lokt ammo but is cutting 5 shot ragged holes at 100 m with the factory federal premium ammo pushing the 170 grain rn nosler partitions.
There is a leupold vx2 2-7x33 mounted on the gun with warne return to zero quick detach rings.
The ammo is pricey but we have a gun we can both have faith in.

 

[Slamfire]

The ballistic chart shown correlates with a muzzle speed of 1800 fps, about +2" impact at 100 yards and -11" at 200 yards. With no bullet drop compensating hold points on the reticle I will have to guess how much hold-over is required to hit dead-on at 200 yards.

The thin portion of the German #4 reticle below center subtends 24" at 100 yards or 48" at 200 yards so 1/4 of the length subtends 12" at 200 yards. Some trial-and-error work to do at the range.

 

[Slamfire]

Scored some Speer 45 caliber 400gr FN bullets today! Worked up a load using AA2015BR with this bullet, and determined the maximum load listed in Speer Reloading Manual No.12 is well under maximum safe pressure in my rifle only.

52.0gr of AA2015BR with the Speer 400gr FN bullet chronographed at 1788 fps, or a muzzle speed of just over 1800 fps with very good accuracy. Listed muzzle speed is for a 22" barrel Marlin 1895 so with an 18-1/2" barrel I've lost only about 50 fps.

Still waiting on the XS Lever Scout rail so no sense zeroing the rifle since I will be changing the mount some time next week.

Speer .458 400gr / .308 180gr / .458 350gr

Speer advises the 400gr FN bullet isn't constructed to penetrate deeply. I would expect results similar to the Remington 405gr FN bullet. Shown below is a 405gr bullet (next to a Hornady 350gr RN for comparison) recovered from a Bull Moose I shot with a Marlin 1895.

A rear quartering shot as it looked back that broke the close shoulder, severed the spinal chord and lodged in its neck - dropped DRT. Impact speed was about 1600 fps, and total penetration was about 18". Worked just fine for me on heavy game.

Hornady 350gr RN / recovered Remington 405gr