dep214

i got it mainly for hog hunting close shots. you are very correct in it being light. it also has almost no recoil pad.

Deleted User

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3DNWV

I have one of these rifles with a 2.5X7 simmions scope on it and I love it. It shoots great with 300gr JHPs handles fast in tight brush and Ive taken deer out to 200yds with it. Its just a nice handy rifle with great knock down power. Hope you enjoy it.

3DNWV

LAbushman

I owned a 45-70 lever action for a couple of years. I had to sell because it was painful to bring to the range. If I weighed a couple more pounds it might not have been that bad (I weigh 155#). My only advice is that if you get a scope, get plenty of eye relief or bring a bunch of towels to the shooting range for the blood.
It destroys targets and anything it hits out to about 125 yards but it is not that accurate for anything past that.


Herb

dep214

i will just be using it for close shots while hog hunting or deer hunting.

Quilly

Dep214...

even $400.00 for that gun with a box of shells is a very good deal.especially if it has benn shot acouple of times.
i see them going for about $470.00 - $500.00

338

I have the same gun with a 3x9x40 nikon and use it for close range deer and bear. It works well, but the win. 300gr gold partition I use don't open well on deer, I will try hand loads after the win's are gone ...Bill

thndrchiken

338 if your planning on handloading for the 45-70, I have had great success with 350 gr cast bullets for accuracy and haven't had to track one yet.

338

How do they expand on a ribcage shot? Even if you catch shoulder with the partitions they don't open up much. I was thinking about a hollow or a light barnes ...Bill

Mainehunter

dep214 you have made a most excellent purchase. I picked mine up new with a box of ammo 4 or 5 years ago for $420.00 and have seen them advertised second hand/private sale for as little as $250 but up to over $500 in my area. At the time of my purchase I also got a quote on a new one for $560 but that particular shop always goes high on their prices.
For close in shooting I have neither found nor seen anything that outperforms the 45-70. My deer have all dropped hard where they stood and the one moose I took with it managed to walk only 30 yards or so with a good solid heart/lung shot. I too hunt close with over 50 yard shots being HIGHLY unlikely. More often than not they tend to be within 20.
Although you can certainly find some outstanding +P type ammo I have never found the need to use anything over the 300 grain JHP Remington rounds. They have performed flawlessly for me and are what I use for both deer and the moose hunt I went on. I have some of the Garret Cartridges Hammerhead rounds just in case I wake up one morning and fine myself living in Jurassic Park though.
I use only the factory sites and prefer not to use added optics but as with all things in life it's personal preference. Many do find that optics improve their capabilities with the Marlin 45-70's so by all means do not limit yourself based on my or anyone else's personal preferences. There even seems to be great variability in what the firearms themselves like so do some experimentation to see what works best factoring in all of your variables.
Congratulations on your outstanding acquisition. I expect you will enjoy it for many, many years.



"The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea."
John Adams