Recoil of a 45/70?

Slowbalt

Slowbalt

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Hey all,
I just handled a marlin XLR at a local store and really liked it, however I wonder how does that toy kicks? The seller told me that it did not kick all that hard, that anyone who can handle a 30-30 can handle this. He seemed to just be willing to make a quick sale and after seeing the rounds I can't believe this does not kick like a drunken mule! Let's hear you guys!
 
Most ammo you will find will work in all 45/70 rifles. That means it is safe for antiquated trap door rifles and other weak action guns. Most ammo available is good for cowboy shooting competitions.

You can safely run the new Hornady Lever-Evolution and Buffalo Big Bore ammo in the Marlins. They have lots more poop to them than everything else and will destroy an old trapdoor gun. When you get your new Marlin and modern ammo take the dealer out for a shoulder bruising lesson about rifle kick.

By the way, you will enjoy the kick.
 
the only 45/70 I shot was a 1895GS with 400ish grain cast loads at good speed. Kicked pretty good but nothing that would be a problem over time

Ive heard a 45/70 with factory ammo kicks about like a 30-06
 
Most factory loads available are fairly mild but with handloads up to the capability of modern firearms, Ruger single shots and todays Marlins for example, the recoil is definately more 'noticeable'. I have a .45-70 Marlin 1895GS and with the straight stock design and you notice the recoil more than you do with the pistol grip design of the Marlin XLR. but I had to buy the GS and shoot it before I found that out. I would prefer the XLR but I have the GS so I'll live with it.
 
My 45-70 Marlin 1895SS shooting 350 grain jacket bullets @ 2050 fps has way more recoil than any 30-30 I have ever shot. Actually it recoils about as much as my 338-06 shooting 250 grain bullets at 2600 fps. (It will cut you if you don't have a good grip on it!;) )
 
My son James is 8 yrs old and he shot a 45-70 with Remington factory loads (240g?).....same ones he gave the rest to crazy_davey......

But I think handloading the 45-70 is a whole different story. Sounds like some guys can really make them work.
 
When you ramp up the powder and go to a heavier bullet than the factory it will kick you.......a heavy loaded 480gr. cast bullet at 1800fps will kick you like very few other guns, due mainly to the light weight of the gun, and near .458 mag. power.
 
The 45-70 factory loads (Winchester/Remington) are loaded to black powder pressure levels, recoil is rediculously light. Killing ability is out of all proportion to that recoil. Trajectory sucks.

Handloads, in the right rifle, can aproach the 458 Winchester magnum in power. Recoil depending on the rifle, and the load, can be brutal. Trajectory can be flattened out quite a bit too.

Do your research, the 45-70 is a very versatile round.
 
I don't find the 45-70 recoil all that bad. It does have a good punch though but nothing to bad. I had a Marlin 1895SS and now have an 1895G. The carbine with the straight stock definately punches a little harder. I would compare it to a 30-06 with a heavier grain bullet.
 
Factory loads, as John Y Cannuck said are ridiculously light. If you're concerned about the recoil, locate someone with a 45-70, buy a box or two of shells and go to the range to try it out. If that person also does up handloads, get him to bring a few along as well so you can see and feel what heavier handloads feel like, recoil wise.
 
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I was shooting my Guidegun with 350 grainers at 2100 fps in a t shirt the other day and it didn't bother me. The Guidegun may have a tendency to have more muzzle flip then push back recoil due to the 18.5" barrel though.
 
I had my 1895 (22" barrel, pistol grip, Decelerator) out at the range one day, with moderately hot handloads (405gr hard cast over 44-47 gr of RL 15, so velocity around 1750-1800 fps- the chrono was acting up a bit I think) and I would describe the recoil as substantial but not painful as long as you spaced out your shots.

A fellow next to me let me have a couple of rounds out of his new Sako .338 and I recall the recoil being about the same, although of course the Sako stock fitted me better. I would guess the recoil to be around 34 ft. lbs. in either case, which is a lot higher than a 30-30 at about 15 ft. lbs. or a 30-06 with factory 180 gn. at around 20-22.

Unfortunately, recoil is a personal thing and everyone feels it differently, plus the stock design makes a lot of difference.

As John Spartan says, the best thing is to find someone with one and see if you can try it out. I'd gladly volunteer but I'm a long way from Gaspésie!

:) Stuart
 
You won't like it at all, it kicks too hard and knocks your fillings out.So when you decide to sell that means I will get a really good deal. I called Wholesale Sports and they said they had 17 in stock, I like the stainless ones.:evil:
 
If all you shoot is factory the recoil is #### all...

The Marlin XLR's are much more recoil friendly then the 1895G, with the little short-ass barrel. Even if you ran across some stout handloads (or built 'em yourself), the XLR is nice to shoot compared to the Guide Gun.
 
Demonical said:
If all you shoot is factory the recoil is f**k all...

The Marlin XLR's are much more recoil friendly then the 1895G, with the little short-ass barrel. Even if you ran across some stout handloads (or built 'em yourself), the XLR is nice to shoot compared to the Guide Gun.
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I think it's more the difference in stock design than the barrel length.
 
Johnn Peterson, I own both the 1895GS and the XLR. I have shot stout handloads that were built for the 1895GS, in the XLR and there's a world of difference between the 2... not much extra velocity, in spite of the theoretical BS about number of fps per inch, btw...

The 1895GS has an 18.5" barrel vs the 24" XLR (for people that don't know).

I believe the barrel length has more to do with the way the XLR handles recoil, but hell I'm no expert...
 
Johnn Peterson said:
I think it's more the difference in stock design than the barrel length.
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I agree. I have owned and shot both models as well, probably thousands of heavy rounds.

I put the pistol grip stock onto a 18" GG and it was much nicer to shoot. Then I gave it to my old man for Fathers Day, he likes it much better now than how it was set up before. Probably because he owns it now ;)
 
everyone talks about different levels of recoil with a marlin 45/70 fullpower loads, but how does it efect your lever hand , my guide gun bangs my knuckles of my lever hand pretty hard if you arent careful how you hold it, it kicks but not bad with some experience, but, maybe not for everybody,
 
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