45-70 Range Day

[SJB358]

Here are some results of the 45-70 on the range. I only had a few loads to go through, but I think I found what I wanna hunt with this year. I used the Hornady 350gr FP and H4198. Speeds were great and the accuracy was decent.

53gr H4198 (2117-2115-2124-2120)

54gr's (2160-2168-2157-2186)

The Marlin was shooting well and those 350's are thumpers for sure. As always, shooting the 45-70 was a blast and the new scope set up with the rail is excellent. The scope is as low as it can get over the receiver and man, I have it far enough forward, it cannot smash me in the noggin. Love it. Plus, it is fast to the eye and really helps with recoil follow through. Scotty

 

[HeathSexton]

Holy smokes that cookin' with gas!

Great work.

 

[JD338]

Scotty,

Nicely done. Seeing these groups makes me want to take mine out and shoot.
These Marlin 1895 Guide guns are a blast to shoot, and accurate too.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

You aren't kidding Jim. Really having a hard time not picking up the 45-70 for everything. Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

Scotty are you sure there's enough horsepower there for an itty bitty 125 pound whitetail! As Dr. Mike might say, probably just bounce off! :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Deer wear Kevlar plated coats here in the SouthEast David, I like having too much rather than the other way around! I just like to shoot the darned rifle and recoil is pretty fun from this rifle. It isn't punishing at all, but it does hop around a little. With the Limbsaver, it is easy on the shoulder, even with full house loads.

My buddy was shooting 400gr Speers at 1850 and doing it with a smile on his face. If you don't have a 45-70, start looking. Wished I would have bought one 15 years ago. Scotty

 

[onesonek]

Nice shooting Scotty!

 

[DrMike]

Again, looks as if you have some thumpers coming out of that rifle. Deer beware.

 

[SJB358]

Thank you fellers. The rifle is really starting to make me smile, all the time. Can't wait to get it loaded up and pushed out to the 300 yard line. Gotta see how they hold up over the LONG haul. Scotty

 

[laylandad]

Scotty,

What length barrel is that 45-70? I'm in the market for a Marlin 1895 but I don't know if I want the guide gun or the long barreled cowboy. Any advice is appreciated .


LLD

 

[jmad_81]

You have that thing shooting better than a few bolt guns I have owned! Nice work!

 

[SJB358]

Thanks Jake. It is a better rifle than I am a shooter. I bet with a better man behind it, it would be impressive. It is a truly accurate rifle for having one of those levers attached to it! Scotty

 

[SJB358]

Scotty,

What length barrel is that 45-70? I'm in the market for a Marlin 1895 but I don't know if I want the guide gun or the long barreled cowboy. Any advice is appreciated .
LLD

It is the Guide Rifle, 18.5" barrel. I love it! I will bet if you get one, you will like it also. Just ask around here, the boys will tell, it is a hoot! Scotty

 

[JD338]

Scotty,

What length barrel is that 45-70? I'm in the market for a Marlin 1895 but I don't know if I want the guide gun or the long barreled cowboy. Any advice is appreciated .
LLD

It is the Guide Rifle, 18.5" barrel. I love it! I will bet if you get one, you will like it also. Just ask around here, the boys will tell, it is a hoot! Scotty

I love mine! Best group I shot was with the Nosler 300 gr BST, .400" at 100 yds!

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Best group I shot was with the Nosler 300 gr BST, .400" at 100 yds!

That is pretty impressive. However, some of these lever guns can be scary accurate.

 

[Guy Miner]

Those are some BFH's Scotty! Big Fat Holes! :grin:

I gave up my .45/70 Marlin, stepped down to something with less recoil, a .375 H&H...

 

[JD338]

Best group I shot was with the Nosler 300 gr BST, .400" at 100 yds!

That is pretty impressive. However, some of these lever guns can be scary accurate.

I shot this group sighting in the 1895 Guide with the new VX-3 1.75-6x32mm scope at 100 yds.

You are right Mike, scary accurate!

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Very impressive. I've scheduled a 45-70 Guide Gun for load development this summer. I did a quick work-up on the rifle a year ago, and it was quite accurate even during break-in. I'll have to see if I can find some BSTs in this area.

 

[SJB358]

Those are some BFH's Scotty! Big Fat Holes! :grin:

I gave up my .45/70 Marlin, stepped down to something with less recoil, a .375 H&H...

Guy does your 375 really recoil less than your Marlin did? Just wondering as I have fired the 375 standing offhand but never off the bench. Didn't seem bad but the Marlin doesn't seem abusive either. That 375 H&H is a cool cat as well. Scotty

 

[SJB358]

Very impressive. I've scheduled a 45-70 Guide Gun for load development this summer. I did a quick work-up on the rifle a year ago, and it was quite accurate even during break-in. I'll have to see if I can find some BSTs in this area.

Mike, for those big critters you have in the North I would look at the premium 350's around. Especially with bears and such in the mix. I love Noslers through and through but until they run the 300gr PT again those Swifts, Woodleighs or Northforks would be some serious contenders. Can't imagine needing much more than those at around 2000FPS to stop just about anything walking. Scotty