Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Looks like I am getting one of these for xmas. I do all of my deer hunting in the hills of eastern kentucky. There is lots of brush and hill terrain to deal with. I have been told that there is no better brush gun. I have been wanting one of these for some time now. My questions are: Do I get the 1895 classic or the 1895G? What is the difference in ported or not ported? I would like to shoot the new hornady rounds with extended range. I am I correct in saying that you do not have to have a xlr to shoot the round? Thanks for the help. A 450 is not out of the picture.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I don't know much about the 45-70 but I do know about the leverevolution ammo, and no you don't need the xlr to shoot it. I shot it out of my Marlin 30-30 last year and it did great. It really gave me a great impression about Hornady. I took three deer with it.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I myself am going to get the 1895 classic. But thats dual purpose. I'm gonna use it for long range shooting in CAS and one day I hope to use it for big game. You are right, kick or no, it is suppose to be the best brush gun.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Either one will be a great gun. I have the 1895M in .450 with a ported barrel and it is loud. I don't know the difference between the recoil on the ported or non-ported ones. On mine everybody complains about the recoil though they all want to shoot it as well when we are going hog hunting.With either the standard Hornady rounds or the levervolution rounds it shoots great. We haven't had anything walk away yet we shot with it.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

The only rifle that is better than the 1895 Marlin is the 1886 Winchester. I prefer the Winchester, but I shoot mine with open sights. If you are going to go with a scope then buy the Marlin. I have several Marlin's and they are nice, but my go to is still the 1886 Winchester. Tom.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I would get the guide gun for 2 reasons. #1 is the fact that the shorter barrel will be a lot handier and easy to get around in cover with. #2 is the factory porting will dramatically reduce felt recoil which leads to better shooting. P S where in eastern ky are you? I just got back from harlan co hunting trip.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

DBNF. I don't think you can get a new ported one can you?

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I have 1895G and the 1895 with a 22" barrel and they shoot like a dream. The 1895 has a little more capability for longer shots but not a huge difference. You can use Leverevolution ammo in any levergun, it doesn't have to be an XLR. I also have the 1895M in .450 and if I had to choose between the .450 or the 45-70, I would pick the 45-70. Better ballistics, a little cheaper ammo and a better grain selection. My choise of all my Marlins would be my 1895G. I have taken deer, bear (including grizz) and has never faultered. If you live where the woods are thick and tough going, go with the 1895G, You won't be sorry.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

The guide guns are factory ported and come in 18.5" barrels which far outweigh advantages of longer barrel.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I have the guide gun and really like it. The porting isnt that much loader and if you step up to full house loads (Buffalo Bore or Garrett) the porting helps with recoil. For most of my hunting I have been using Winchester 300 grain partian gold. I have not noticed recoil or it being to loud. They are very accurate and really put em down. The gun holds inside of 2 inches off the bench at 150 yards. The shorter gun handles and points like a dream. I would say go with the guide gun.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Marlin no longer makes a ported barrel but I'm not sure they ever needed one. The recoil isn't bad on the 45-70 but it is a little louder than the 30-30. I agree with Rats, the 45-70 1895G is the way to go.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I have the 1895 with the 20" barrel and five shot magazine in 45-70. I have yet to hunt with it, which I am going to remedy next week. I have been working up loads for it all summer, and I think I am going to go with a 300gr hornady HP with 55gr of IMR3031, it seems to shoot he best so far. I chose the 45-70 simply because it is a classic cartridge, and it is quite versatile when hand loaded. Which brings me to my point in writing. If your main pupose for this gun is hunting, and you don't hand load, the .450 might be the better choice. Most (not all) factory 45-70 loads are pretty tame, because of all the (lawyers) old guns out there that won't handle full house loads. The .450 is a hunting round and guns chambered for it are purpose built hunting rifles. That being said I still prefer the 45-70 just because it is a cool old round, and I understand it's advatages and limitations. I really think the 45-70 is a handloaders round, unless you are going to buy a lot of ammo from Buffalo Bore or one of the other ammo companies that load full power rounds for it. Just my two cents.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Maybe I misunderstand your post, but the 45-70 is made in a "full load". Winchester, Federal, Remington and Hornady make hardcore hunting loads. Garrets makes a 540 gr Hammerhead+P that will nock down an elephant. The 45-70 has taken down everything from grizzlys to elephants. I would say that is a pretty tough full load. This is an age old topic, which round is better, the 45-70 or the .450. Actually either will do the job on any big game.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Maybe it's the area I live in. When I bought my rifle last summer, all I could find locally were the anemic Remington and Winchester loads. I chronographed some Remington 405gr loads at 1300fps. Thats pretty slow, slower than deer slugs. That of course approximates the old black powder loading. I think most of the guys that say there rifles don't have much recoil must be shooting these. I have some hanloads firing a 405gr cast flat nose at about 1800fps, and I guaratee the recoil is not light : )
I just think you can get a lot more out the 45-70 by handloading it. I love the round, and wouldn't even bother with the .450 for my own purposes.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Thanks for all of the great help!

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I do not wish to personally attack some of the statements that have been made in this post. But I will say that there are some statements made that could get a person hurt or even killed if they took some of the advice given. 45-70 loads come in different levels for a reason. There are many reasons, but the main reason is weaker steel in the older firearms. Please do not shoot Leverevolution ammo "in any lever action". The Remington and Winchester loads are light for a reason--safety. Please refer to a reloading manual, the manual will discuss which loads are safe in which firearms.

I have been shooting the 45-70 for a lot of years. And it is my favorite cartridge. The cartridge can do anything in the hands of a rifleman. Buy one, buy a good mold, and 10# of RL7 and you can shoot for a long time. Go to the tire store and sweep up some WW, and shoot, shoot, shoot. Tom.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

The new marlin lever actions are completely safe to shoot ANY factory loaded ammo out of!







There are many reasons, but the main reason is weaker steel in the older firearms. Please do not shoot Leverevolution ammo "in any lever action". The Remington and Winchester loads are light for a reason--safety. Please refer to a reloading manual, the manual will discuss which loads are safe in which firearms.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

If you have trouble finding a good selection of 45-70 ammo in your area just go on line. There are a bunch of really good rounds made for the new rifles.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I would agree with Head, there are some older lever guns, both Winchester and Marlin, that should not be loaded hot! I hand load and can adjust my load as I please, and my rifle is a brand new piece.
I realise that you can find any ammo you want on line, but I consider that a lot of hassle compared to just walking into a gun store and buying what you need ( am I showing my age yet? : ). Plus, most of the hunting loads for the 45-70 are, in my opinion, a bit pricey.
When I got my rifle last summer, I was a bit shocked at how little ammo, and for that matter, components, were available in my local stores. But I am pretty well set now with bullets, brass and powder that seems to work for me. I also cast my own bullets, that's what I meant about this caliber being really versatile, there are lots of options.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Hi Head0001,
Can you be more specific as to why I shouldn't shoot the Leverevolution ammo out of my lever gun. I have a new (3years)Marlin336 in 30-30 and i'm wondering why it is a safety issue. I have used it last season and now this season so i amfairly concerened. Thanks in advance

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Personally I would get a 30-30. The ported barrel will be loud and will create more visible muzzle flash when the light starts to fade.

Paul

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

The Levervolution shells were designed for the lever action Marlin rifles. The tip was designed so they would work in a tubular magazine without setting the on in front of it off. The .45/70 shells are loaded light because of the older guns but in the modern lever action rifles they are completely safe. I shoot the .450 Marlin because I wanted something different and didn't want to have to reload. I have a Marlin 336 made over 50 years ago and I shoot the levervolution shells in it all the time with no problems. The problem comes if people try to shoot a hot loaded .45/70 in a gun designed for blackpowder.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Ahhh a 45/70! I have wanted one for a long time and now with the new farm in VA to hunt....its so thick I have an excuse to buy one :D

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I am an official Marlin junkie and for the 45-70 I carry an 1895G which to my shoulder is the best feeling and handling firearm ever in the history of mankind. It's a shooter, looker, and reliable and will outlast me. I have a DRC customs big hoop lever, crossbolt delete, Williams FP peep sights, and a few other things on it and it is my frontline go-to gun for anything on the face of this earth.And it loves the Hornady LE. I wouldn't shoot any hot loads in an old old levergun but the LE was designed for leverguns hence why it's called L-E-V-E-R evolution. I have a 40y/o .35 that will eat any cartridge I feed it.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

I like the handiness of the 1895G. I've been looking at one for a few years now and just haven't made the decision to pick one up yet. Really haven't seen any need for a bigger more powerful brush gun than my Marlin 336 in 30-30. Planning to do a little hog hunting and I know the bigger hogs might require the bigger round. As far as hotter loads for the 45-70 I know Cor-bon makes a hell of a 405 gr that kicks on both ends. That would be my go to load if I needed anything more than the standard factory loads. That being said, if you're planning on trying to stretch out the effectiveness of the LEVERevolution rounds then the longer barrel of the 1895 classic.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

If you look at my post you will see the response in quotes. I was quoting what an earlier poster said. I realize the Leverevolution ammo is safe in modern Marlin firearms. I was responding to where a poster said the 45-70 Leverevolution ammo was "safe in any levergun".Please read all the posts and you will see what I mean.

I did not addrerss that poster directly because I did not want to start a ****ing contest, or an argument.

The 45-70 is a fantastic cartridge as long as it is used properly in your firearm.

And yes i would recommend the Marlin(if you want to scope it). But I would buy the longest barrel I could get. I looked at the Leverevolution ballistics, and they are incredible. The longer barrel would really help the ammo out a lot. Just add a MB if you want to. Tom.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Thank you 2006 for your reply. I'm also a Marlin junkie with a family of 18 Marlins new and old. If I'm not mistaken, there is a warning on45-70 LE ammo boxes not to use this ammo in older rifles and I believe they state 1974 or older. I also have a 1951 336 30-30 that loves LE ammo and last year it took a dandy buck at 187 yard and a doe at 103 yds. One shot and down they went. I agree that the heavier loads should only be fired out of a newer levergun and not the older ones.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

In response to DannyD (I can't seem to getthe quote thing to work) It should be safe in your new gun. I think he was referring to older models that might not take the pressure. I think it's really more of an issue in the 45-70. Marlin rifles built before the '70s tend to be a bit weaker than the new ones. The big issue with the 45-70 is that was originally a black powder military cartridge in the sharps and Spencers, and later in the 1886 Winchesters, and 1895 Marlins. Those rifles absolutely will not handle the pressure of full house modern loads.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Well with all of the help I have my choice. The winner is the 1895G in 45-70. The only thing I need to decide is stainless or blued. I have never owned a stainless gun because I was always afraid of getting busted in the woods. Give me some help guys.
Thanks

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Buy what you like, but at least shoulder a standard 1895SS.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

There's finishes you can apply over the stainless steel. I wouldn't even worry about it as it ain't gloss finished stainless,deer are color blind-remember? If you are even 1/2 way doing your job of being undected the game ain't gunna be lookin at anything but the muzzle in 1st place,and even if they ain't,matte stainless won't spook them. If you have worries of hunting in damp areas or raining,go with stainless.

RE: Marlin 45-70 1895 which one?
 

Superman77,
Myself, I don't like the looks of stainless, but I'm old fashioned. At the end of the day most people wipe down their firearm with a silicone cloth to prevent rusting and those same people would do that with a stainless gun too. For the difference ($), between blued or stainless, I would go to the blued, but that is mainley a personal preference kind of thing. Buy what you like the best your the one shooting it.