Which caliber of 1895 Marlin

Sasky_07

Sasky_07

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Hi I am going to purchase a new marlin lever... this will be my bush gun for moose, elk, anything else I decide to hunt in the bush!! I am going to go with open sights, I also am not a reloader. Should I go with the 45/70 or one of the marlin calibers. Ammo cost is a concern as I shoot all of my rifles frequently. Also what is the range and long distance accuracy like with the 18.5" barrel. Thanks for your help all !!!!! Scott
 
The way you word the question there should be no question that the calibre you choose should be the 45-70 over the strictly Marlin calibres. To think a little further, a 35 Remington in the Marlin rifle may be a better choice for your hunting. The animals you shoot will stay dead just as long, whether hit good with a 45-70 or a 35 Rem. Advantages are lower priced ammunition, easier to shoot and flatter trajectory. To go one more, a bit of sacrifice in power for moose would bring you to the 30-30, for still better trajectory and the great ease and lower cost of ammunition.
The deer of Rosetown won't care what calibre you choose, and if you get to Big River, or north of Nipawin, or Hudson's Bay Junction, just be careful to get your bullet into the ribs of a moose, then sharpen your knife.
 
Depending on the distance factor...I agree that he should go with a 30 caliber plus for moose . Though many have been knocked down with .303 rifles. the placement is just as important or more important than the caliber .
 
Go with the .45-70. .444 Marlin would be easy enough to find, but the .450 Marlin may not be. I'd be thinking the 22" barrel too. The muzzle flash, blast and loss of velocity will be significant with the 18.5" barrel.
 
I like the idea of the 1895 and the Hornady Leverevolution 45-70 ammo. I haven't purchased one yet, but it is on my short list.

I'd be concerned about whether the 444 or 450 Marlin cartridges would go obsolete.
 
I doubt that the 444Marlin will go obsolete, but who knows about the 450Marlin. That being said I would and did go with the 45/70 it is easily one of the greatest calibers available, handloading only adds to thiss fact. A guy can easily get by with standard factory ammo though.
 
I'll add my 2 cents.
I let the price & availability of the gun dictate my purchase. I had decided on a 45ish caliber and 18.5" barrel for exactly the same purposes as you. I found a mint used 1895M (450) so I went for it. But, if you want a stainless variant you have to pick the Guide Gun in stainless.
Talking to the suppliers lead me to believe that 450 Marlin ammo is here to stay. That being said, the 45/70 is cheaper and easy to hand load.

As far as accuracy goes, my 1895M shoots MOA at 100yds with Levorevolution 325grain and I can easily get sub 3" groups at 150. I'm really stoked about this performance and frankly didn't expect the little 18.5" to do this well.
...just one guys opinion:D
 
Nothing wrong with any of the Marlin big bore calibres, but ballistically the new .308 Marlin Express kind of intrigues me. The stainless model comes with a 24" barrel while the blued versions' is 22". The calibre is apperently based on the .307, and would offer a little more of a flat shooting gun,but still with the knockdown power to take anything from deer to elk. Only drawback I can see is the availability of ammo. Just make sure you have lots on hand before going on a hunting trip.
 
If you are going to buy new, get the 1895 XLR. I got one in 45/70 and it is accurate as advertised. And it is fun to have a shoulder-launched howitzer in the bush!
 
Epps?? What is the weight and barrel length of that XLR Thanks all for your help. As I stated this will be a specific use gun, large game only and mostly bush pushin... I myself feel the 45-70 is a good choice too. I just have to choose a model... like the idea of that stubby 18.5" barrel in the bush for weight and ease of use. What kind of range have I got with the 45-70.... within reason.
 
Sasky_07 said:
Hi I am going to purchase a new marlin lever... this will be my bush gun for moose, elk, anything else I decide to hunt in the bush!! I am going to go with open sights, I also am not a reloader. Should I go with the 45/70 or one of the marlin calibers. Ammo cost is a concern as I shoot all of my rifles frequently. Also what is the range and long distance accuracy like with the 18.5" barrel. Thanks for your help all !!!!! Scott
Click to expand...

I think the Normand family prefers the 45-70 be used on their land;)
 
sunray said:
Go with the .45-70. .444 Marlin would be easy enough to find, but the .450 Marlin may not be. I'd be thinking the 22" barrel too. The muzzle flash, blast and loss of velocity will be significant with the 18.5" barrel.
Click to expand...

Any velocity loss between 22 and 18.5 inch barrels is insignificant and probably less than 50 fps for the whole difference in length.
I wish the wanna be graduates from the "School of Velocity" would stop quoting Chuck Hawks.
You should have said,"go with the 45-70" and left it at that.
 
Sasky_07 said:
Epps?? What is the weight and barrel length of that XLR Thanks all for your help. As I stated this will be a specific use gun, large game only and mostly bush pushin... I myself feel the 45-70 is a good choice too. I just have to choose a model... like the idea of that stubby 18.5" barrel in the bush for weight and ease of use. What kind of range have I got with the 45-70.... within reason.
Click to expand...


The range and accuracy I had with my Marlin 45-70 GG was very good. I did a head shot on a man silhouette at 200 yards,my holdover was 12 inches with 420 grain cast bullets. (1630fps)
 
Being that you don't reload the answer to your question is the 450 Marlin it is equal to some of my top 45-70 reloads in performance.

I would actually look at the Browning BLR take down rifle in 450 Marlin.

If I didn't have my Marlin 1895GS and I didn't reload this would be my rifle/cartridge of choice.
 
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