Hello All Gun Gurus,

What is the effective range of a Marlin 1895 Lever 45/70 with an 18" barrel?

Thanks
Tom

150YDS.

The .45-70 bullet hits hard at distance, however due to the rainbow trajectory, I'd have to concur with Virginia7 that the range is around 150 yards (maybe 200).

Thanks guys.

It depends on the ammo you are shooting. If using Remington 405 grain bullets, 100 yards. If using PMC 350 grain bullets or Buffalo Bore 405 loads at 2000 fps you have a 200 yard gun IF YOU PRACTICE ENOUGH TO HIT WITH IT.

Dr Fatguy

With the 45-70, limitations are all on the part of the shooter. The 45-70 had killed buffalo well past 600 yards. However the buffalo hunters were skilled shooters who knew their guns and sight well. They were also shooting Black powder which brings out the best in this cartridge which was designed for Black Powder. However for uf modern hunters who do not shoot as much as they did and are used to flat shooting sighted guns, it a different story. 200 yards is doable with good loads but 150 yards is better and I would always try to get that close .OR Closer. I love the old 45-70 and have taken rattle snakes to big bears with several of them. For big critters I like the 350 grain Hornady RN at about 1800-2000 fps. Good cast bullets are even better. I like a 405 to 465 grain Hard cast Gas Checked bullets.

Power isn't a question with the 45/70 as it still has more punch at 400 yards than a 44 mag does at the muzzle. The only issue is the trajectory, at that range you're looking at a 95 inch drop. Nobody has any buisness holding 8 feet over the target. The 200 yard drop is much better, only 12 inches.
If you do plan on the possibility of those long shots then consider the old ladder sights. They work much better than you think. A lot of practice helps too.
I've taken a 250 yard shot with a 30-30 and killed the deer with one hit. It was a 14 inch drop but I practice a lot so I knew I could do it. Having a good laser rangefinder helps too.

With my hunting load zeroed 3" high at 100 yards its 7" low at 200 yards. I can still keep my shots inside of a 5" group at 100 yards. Would be able to do better but long range shooting is hard with the 2.5x Heavy german post reticle. Ghost rings are good out to 135-150 yards with me behind the trigger.