It may seem a sin, but of all the .45-70' s I' ve had, I' ve yet to own one in lever action. I' m thinking on a Marlin 1895GS or 1895G, which are both 5shots (with one in the chamber). I' m kinda curious about their barrel lengths though, 18.5" are a lot more..." petite" than my breaks and falling blocks. I' m confident of taking deer with my current models out to a quartermile, but they' ve got a lot more barrel to keep them accurate than these levers have. Anyone have one that they hunt with?? I' m wanting to get 1.5" at 100yrds, or thereabouts, would this be absolutely unreasonable for this gun? What kind of range would you expect would be possible on deer with this stubby gun? On bruins?

I was looking at a site for info on some combo guns and I saw a neat gun. A side by side double gun avalible in 45/70 as well as some other cartridges. I know this is off your question but thought I' d mention it. (www.eaacorp.com)

Robin

These little rifles are accurate! My 1895G will group less than 1.5" at 100yrds with a scope and handloads. But long range shooting on live game is best reserved to my very accurate M70. My .45-70 Guide Gun now has a Williams firesite front and ghost ring (peep) rear as the factory sights are pretty crappy. I wouldn' t hesitate to shoot moose/elk at 200yrds with this rifle and my hardcast handloads.

The newer 1895Gs are 20" bbls, with no ports. Both improvements. I had one. Like the Winchester extra light better. If I had to have a marlin, I' d get a new one with the improvements above, then remove that damn hammer block safety doodad! On second thort, jus' buy the Winchester an' be done with the matter.

i love my marlin.....unbelievibly accurate for such a compact gun.....

Nomercy you sound just like my hunting partner ,he looked at the 1895GS but decide on the 1895 cowboy with the 26" barrel . It also holds 9 rounds though I can' t imagine ever using that many rounds . That might be more to your liking than the" petite " guide model . LOL