Jonesing for a .45-70 levergun

pullnshoot25 · Post by **pullnshoot25** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:11 pm

So I have a Puma 92 .44mag but that isn't cutting it for my levergun lust and I am now jonesing for a .45-70 levergun. Ideally, I would get an 1886 (if for any other reason, "Crossfire Trail" was a good levergun action movie) but that is kind of out of my price range at the moment. What are my options for a good levergun in that caliber? What years should I be looking for? Should I stave off my lust for a while and save up for the "real deal"?

Ranch Dog · Post by **Ranch Dog** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 4:45 pm

Rossi RG4570 series...

jkbrea · Post by **jkbrea** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 4:54 pm

The Marlin GBL or Guide Guns are pretty nice.

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:01 pm

pullnshoot25 wrote:So I have a Puma 92 .44mag but that isn't cutting it for my levergun lust and I am now jonesing for a .45-70 levergun. Ideally, I would get an 1886 (if for any other reason, "Crossfire Trail" was a good levergun action movie) but that is kind of out of my price range at the moment. What are my options for a good levergun in that caliber? What years should I be looking for? Should I stave off my lust for a while and save up for the "real deal"?

In Crossfire Trail, that levergun was a 76 Centenial probably in 45/75, not an 1886 in 45/70. But that doesn't matter, you are right to want a 45/70 as your next choice, probably. Ammo is easy to find, etc.

Just my opinion, but I would probably look for a Browning 86 as first choice, because they didn't have the rebounding hammers and top tang safetys that came later with the Winchester Reproductions. Another choice would be a used Marlin, once again, I would search for a pre-crossbolt safety model as first choice.

Of course an original Winchester 1886 with a nickel steel barrel would be a great find, but anymore the cost is staggering for a decent shooter.

wecsoger · Post by **wecsoger** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:12 pm

If you're jones'in for a real looking .45/70, good first choice is Marlin 1895 cowboy, pre-cross bolt safety. If you can't find one of those, then get one with the cross-bolt, it can be easily dropped out.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:17 pm

1970's Marlin 1895's of any flavor are an affordable choice. The 1895 Marlin Cowboy is especially nice....

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:29 pm

I have shot most of the popular ones Marlin 1895 CB, SS, GG - the 1886 26" - Browning 1885 - Ruger #1 - Sharps 1874, couple configurations. Of these, I like the Marlin 1895SS 22" for all around. If I wanted outright power or widest range of usability beyond multishot I would get the Ruger #1.

The most romantic looking to me is the 1886 carbine. I think Hobie got one but I don't think I have read any shooting or hunting reports.

There are others of course but I have not shot them.

You might note how close these two are in configuration.

guido4198 · Post by **guido4198** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:37 pm

Here's Mine:

Marlin Guide Gun. Taken a coupla Whitetail. Fun to shoot with jacketed or moderate cast loads.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 6:29 pm

I'm partial to the GS. I'm not planning on staving off a band or renegades, so a long tube of shells isn't necessary, just heavy.

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 6:47 pm

Well, I love my Browning '86 SRC. I'm glad it's my first and only. Hate having to buy things twice.

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:27 pm

alnitak wrote:Well, I love my Browning '86 SRC. I'm glad it's my first and only. Hate having to buy things twice.

Yes, you did good there. I have the same thing now, a Browning SRC, but it's at the end of a fairly long line of 45/70's

oklahoma red · Post by **oklahoma red** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:31 pm

Good evening to ya all,

Love, Love my 1895 Cowboy!!

Long, Large, holds 9+1, and shoots 3/4" 5 shot groups with hot 300gr. Nosler partation hunting loads

Happy shootin to Ya,
OkR

jh45gun · Post by **jh45gun** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:44 pm

I have a Marlin Guide Gun I bought before Rem took over. I like it

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:52 pm

Lastmohecken wrote:
alnitak wrote:Well, I love my Browning '86 SRC. I'm glad it's my first and only. Hate having to buy things twice.
Yes, you did good there. I have the same thing now, a Browning SRC, but it's at the end of a fairly long line of 45/70's

Yes, I have the Browning 1886 SRC. Great gun! You can disregard the bullet holes from outside the c-more target as those were from earlier experiments. Just note the tight 5-round group at the center. That's what this gun can do with this sight. I love it.

You might have noted over the years that I prefer a particular format of levergun...

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:59 pm

Nice collection Hobie - how far were you shooting?

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:31 am

Nice collection, Hobie

What load were you using in your rife? Were you shooting with a disk in you receiver sight or ghost Ring?

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:35 pm

oklahoma red wrote:

I have one of those zip-on camo covers for a Mini-14 stock. Kind of cool.

Jonesing for a .45-70 levergun

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