Do I WANT a .45-70?

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:44 am

I'll be up front, I have no NEED for one, but being a sucker for hyphenated, historic calibers I keep thinking I WANT one.

Found an H&R Buffalo Classic at todays show for $380, Marlin 1895CB for $680-ish IIRC, 1895GS for about the same price and I think an 1895G in the high $500's. These were all brand new from dealers.

I like the price of the H&R and I have a thing for single shots anyway. I was concerned the weight might not be enough to help with recoil until I picked it up. After looking at the weights of all the rifles above, I found it's the same weight (and in at least one case a pound heavier) as the others.

I like the levers because, well, they're levers!:lol: And the extra ammo capacity is nice too.

So I now have added a .45-70 of some flavor to "The List" and in all likelihood I'll end up with the H&R AND a Marlin lever unless I'm totally put off by the round for some reason.

Anyone else in this boat?

I already know there's no cure to be found...

Post by **Old Savage** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:24 am

I am curious about those H&Rs never shot one but I have shot all the iterations of the Marlin, the Browning 1885, a couple of Sharps Shilohs, and a Ruger #1. Of those I like the Marlin 1895SS - now the 1895.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:25 am

WELL THANKS ALLOT!

I don't really need a 45-70 XLR!But I am agonizing over picking one up tomorrow.Well let me see if I can help you out

!

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:56 am

awp101 wrote:I'll be up front, I have no NEED for one, but being a sucker for hyphenated, historic calibers I keep thinking I WANT one.

I beg to differ, everyone who considers himself a rifleman NEEDS a 45/70 for his collection. I satisfied that need with my "Smelly Nelly" and the only cure to satisfy this need is to buy one be it a levergun, single shot, or in my case a bolt-gun, do whatever it takes to satisfy this need before you go CRAZY!

SMELLY NELLY

Post by **Old Savage** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:14 am

Here are a couple.

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:26 am

old Savage, I like the Sharps. I'd like one of those someday myself.

I've had the H%R BC and they are nice. One thing about the weight, if you want more, remove the buttplate and fill the bolt hole with lead. It adds from 1 1/2 to 2 lbs more. It helps soak up recoil. Factory loads from it are a piece of cake.

I now have the H&R 38-55 Target model. Looks like a baby BC. The Target model has a 28" barrel instead of 32.

I also like my 1895GS as well, between the two....it's a tough call, but I MIGHT lean towards the Marlin, but if it's not a hunting gun, get the BC. You have a much greater flexibility of loads for it than the Marlin.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:25 am

The BC is a good gun for the price. It is very accurate with factory loads and does not kick noticably hard. I have one and I find it a little too long to hunt with in thick woods.

Swampman · Post by **Swampman** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:52 am

I took this picture on the fence in my back yard. I didn't even have a copy of it anymore. Anyway I love the .45-70. I'd get the 1895G first. It's the best .45-70 going. I have the 1895GS and a 1972 era 1895. I sold my Handi.

Dastook · Post by **Dastook** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:59 am

Short answere "YES".

The 45-70 is the one at the top.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:02 am

SHUCKS - You just ain't lived, until you gotcha a .45-70 !

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:08 am

Since when does "need" have anything to do with our hobby?

As I always tell people when they ask me how many guns I own: "more than I need but not as many as I want".

"Want" trumps "need" in my book in the firearms category!

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:10 am

I've had several 45-70s but my LTD III has become one of my all time favorites. Incredibly accurate and loaded up or down it's a blast to shoot!

I hope to have several more i45-70s in the not to distant future

1886 · Post by **1886** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:28 am

2ndovc wrote:I've had several 45-70s but my LTD III has become one of my all time favorites. Incredibly accurate and loaded up or down it's a blast to shoot!

I hope to have several more i45-70s in the not to distant future

I like that rifle alot. 1886.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:40 am

Old Savage wrote:I am curious about those H&Rs never shot one but I have shot all the iterations of the Marlin, the Browning 1885, a couple of Sharps Shilohs, and a Ruger #1. Of those I like the Marlin 1895SS - now the 1895.

Hey Fred I will have my .308 at the get together.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:43 am

45-70 is my favorite cartridge all time. here is an 1886 I have in that cartridge:

[img][img]http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20 ... 94/008.jpg[/img][/img]

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:53 am

JMHO, but if I were going to buy a single shot 45-70 it would have to be a Trapdoor Springfield.

If it were a lever gun, then there is possibly two. And those are obvious, a Winchester (not Miroku but real Winchester ) 1886, or a Marlin .

Joe

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:32 pm

Yes. Even a handirifle will do, but everyone needs a .45-70.

There be Ba'rs in them there woods.

dsmith512 · Post by **dsmith512** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:12 pm

2ndovc wrote:

Wow! Where did you get that cartridge belt?

Jayhawker · Post by **Jayhawker** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:31 pm

I don't really need a 45-70, but only because I already have four of them.

Post by **Old Savage** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:39 pm

Very nice collection there! How is the recoil on the H&R compared to the others?

CEMENTHEAD · Post by **CEMENTHEAD** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:05 pm

WHAT IN THE WORLD HAS NEED GOT TO DO WITH IT !?!

Seriously, They're great to shoot, load up or down to suit your needs. My god-daughter absolutely LOVES my guide gun, I can't go to the range without it if she's going.

I think the conversion is almost complete..... Thanks, Tom

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:18 pm

Old Savage wrote:Very nice collection there! How is the recoil on the H&R compared to the others?

My H&R delivers recoil more kindly than my Marlin 1895. The surprising thing to me is the muzzle flip gets my cheek weld point.

Every red blooded American man wants a 45/70 whether he knows it or not. Some American women do too.

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:42 am

Yes, Andrew, you want one.

The 45-70 is one of my favorite cartridges. My first 45-70 was a 1972 Marlin 1895 lever, first year of production for the reintroduced 1895 made on the 336 platform.

Since then, I've added:

Marlin 1895 Guide Gun (unported blue)
Marlin 1895CB (26" octagonal barrel; this rifle handles like that of a MUCH shorter rifle. It's a joy to carry on a hunt, but doesn't look it.)
Ruger No 3 (Kills at both ends)
USRAC Winchester 1886 EL Carbine
Pedersoli Sharps 1874 Business Rifle (30" full octagon barrel)

I've taken several deer with the 45-70, and the most appealing thing about the cartridge is that you can load it as light or as stiff (within safety limitations) as you want. My full-power load is 52 gr of IMR3031 under a 300 JSP bullet. Kills at both ends, and is a great load if you feel masochistic and want to have the s__t kicked out of you. Alternatively, I use a couple very light loads from when I shot CAS some years back, and they are so light that one could probably catch the bullet at 200 yds. I'm being facetious, but that's the versatility of the 45-70 Govt cartridge.

Sorry no pics, the server I had them parked on crashed.

Noah

Bluehawk · Post by **Bluehawk** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:50 am

I picked up an H&R in 45/70 last fall . It is not the most pleasant shooting one i have ever owned .BUT its better than the 45/70 Contender istol i had many years ago

IT is very accurate and handles the bullet weights fomr 400 down to 300 well It di dnot like any thing over 400 I have had good luck in all the 45/70s I have owned over the years ( I have 4 right now and have owned another 6 in the past ) with the Lee 450 Grain bullet and other heavys too but not in this rifle .
I own H&Rs in 22 hornet ; 223; 30/30; 30/06; 38/55 and have owned them in 308Win and 243 in the past ALL have been good guns, some more accurate than others . ALL have preferred bullet weights which I consider light for the caliber MY Hornet shoots best with 40 and 45grain bullets.The 30/30 loves the 130s and 125s but does not like any thing at all over 150 . 30/06 doesnt like any thing over 165 and likes the 150s better. SO FAR the 45/70 likes the 350 Hornady and Speer bullets the best but I just finished this weekend casting some 385 RN leads from an OLd lyman mould the I have great hopes for in that gun .
It shot some Meister 405s pretty well last fall but the 350s out shone it by far. It shot the 300s quite well too but I just dont like them for hunting . If you like the 300s for hunting then the 300s and 350s will do you well in that gun.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:02 pm

when I read the title all I could think of was "if you have to ask....".

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:37 pm

Thanks for the thoughts so far!

I KNOW need has nothing to do with it. If that were the case I would be limited to a .22, .30-30, .30-06 and 12ga.

Noah, that CB is one I've been eyeing along with the H&R and maybe an 1895G.

I'm glad to hear the recoil isn't THAT bad out of the H&R. The only one I've seen at the range had a shooter in some pain. I forget the grain he was using but it had broken the skin on his shoulder. I suspect there was some incorrect stock placement going on.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:18 pm

Noah Zark wrote:Marlin 1895CB (26" octagonal barrel; this rifle handles like that of a MUCH shorter rifle. It's a joy to carry on a hunt, but doesn't look it.)

After handling one in a shop today, I believe it! I'm not sure "love" is quite the right word...

They also have a GG for $100 and some change less, but it just didn't feel right.

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:44 pm

Yes, of course you want one. Where else can you hold 100+ years of history in your hand............and then pull the trigger.

In levers, I have the Marlin 1895 that I agonized about shortening the barrel on.
Finally came to a decision about barrel length and bought an 1886 too.

piller · Post by **piller** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:44 pm

Having 86er back me up with a .45-70 when I shot my water buffalo convinced me. I am saving up for a .45-70, probably a Marlin.

505stevec · Post by **505stevec** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:31 pm

I got these two last year and have not regretted it. I love both and do not intend on selling either. Every growing boy needs a 45-70

P.S. sorry for the messy table

my wife hates when i do this at the table

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:36 pm

The only centerfire hunting rifles I own now are .45-70s. I would not be without one.

miestro_jerry · Post by **miestro_jerry** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:46 pm

I have a Marlin 1895 in 45-70, wonderful deer and coyote rifle, plus I shoot the RD 350 gr bullet and it shoots well.

If you need it, then it's not for fun!

Jerry

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:27 pm

I got a .45-70 barrel for my Encore and it shoots better (more accurately) than the .270 barrel did! I don't mind the recoil, perhaps due to the stock shape (because the Encore is fairly light). The Encore is pricier, but you can buy a barrel in about any caliber you want fairly inexpensively; like a giant Contender rifle...

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:29 pm

I just remembered I have a 45-70 Rolling Block at my Dads.

He has been holding it for me for so long I forgot about it.

As others said need has nothing to do with it. If it was about need I would still have just my SMLE and my SxS 20ga. but they were lonely

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:59 pm

Yep. You want one. Just listen to yourself say it: FORTY FIVE SEVENTY. Gives ya chills, doesn't it?

Look at that big ol' hole in the end of the barrel.

Anything on this continent, baby! Yep, you want one, alright!

don Tomás · Post by **don Tomás** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:31 am

J Miller wrote:JMHO, but if I were going to buy a single shot 45-70 it would have to be a Trapdoor Springfield.
Joe

+1

Do I WANT a .45-70?

Do I WANT a .45-70?

Re: Do I WANT a .45-70?