I'm trying to make up my mind. I got a Christmas bonus and I'll be selling a gun I don't care for, which translates to new gun time.
I'm torn between a Marlin 1895 in 45/70 and the Puma 1892 in .454. I know the Marlin has more power potential and versatility, but the Puma would be less expensive to load for (it fires .45 colts as well) and has a certain uniquness about it.
I'm trying to make up my mind. I got a Christmas bonus and I'll be selling a gun I don't care for, which translates to new gun time.
I'm torn between a Marlin 1895 in 45/70 and the Puma 1892 in .454. I know the Marlin has more power potential and versatility, but the Puma would be less expensive to load for (it fires .45 colts as well) and has a certain uniquness about it.
Ah, life's decisions.
And the Puma is a lot handier and lighter than the Marlin. In addition, it is that great, Model 92 Winchester action. I really would like a Puma .454. Granted, it is not as powerful a round as the .45/70. But it is plenty for North American game. Loaded with the right bullets, you could even take on the big bears with it.
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"Bitte, trinks du das Wasser nicht. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
That's kind of the way I'm leaning now. >45 LC brass is a lot cheaper than .45/70, and the .454 through a carbine will kill everything in my neck of the woods out to 100 yards.
Seeing as you reload, my standard stance of considering availability is thrown out. If the puma "does it" for you...GET IT. I think we (well, ok...at least I do) get tunnel visioned sometimes and forget if we decide later we really made the wrong choice we can sell and rebuy. Tis a wonderful gun-world we live in.
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Anything I say is my opinion, just that...and only that.
"...and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?
VT, As long as you're relaoading there sin't much difference in price. You can getonce fired.45-70 brass on Ebay. You're definately gonna use more powder with the 45-70 but you still have to buy bullets and primers - so the cost difference won't be that much. The Marlin 1895 is a good quality rifle. IMO I would lean toward the Marlin.
__________________ PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE RISING COST IN AMMO PRICES I WILL NO LONGER BE FIRING A WARNING SHOT.
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I'm not as good as I'm gonna get - but I'm better than I used to be. "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."
Rifle magazine just did a piece on the 454puma. One thing to be aware of is that they are a bit finicky about the loads they will cycle. Their sample would not cycle .45colt, unless the bullet was seated to 454 OAL; nor would it cycle loads with an OAL longer than 1.760". They also ran into trouble with certain bullets such as the winchester 250gr factory load. As a reloadfer you'll be able to get around this, but its something to be aware of. They also mention that the stock became loose several times throughout the test, and required loc-tite to fix.
In that case, I might go with the Marlin. I get quickly irritated with with guns that are finicky about what they will cycle. I'll have to pick up that copy of Rifle, sounds like an interesting edition.
Marlin 45/70 or Puma .454?
Tis a wonderful gun-world we live in.
