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Range/accuracy of Marlin 45/70

seamusseamus Member Posts: 96 ✭✭
edited July 2002 in Ask the Experts
I'm interested in the Marlin 1895GS,45/70, with an 18.5" barrel, to be used as a guide gun (or in my case, a good "fish gun") in Brown Bear country. I'm just wondering, however, if anyone has an informed opinion on what the maximum effective hunting range might be under normal shooting conditions. I know I could not expect it to equal the range and accuracy of a 30-06 or similar caliber in a bolt action, 18.5 inch mountain carbine type rifle, but what could I expect from it? I would really like to hear from someone who has tested it on the range. Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,596 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Marlin Guide Gun and the accuracy is great. At the range I shoot at, there are steel plates about 12" square, hanging at 100, 200 and 300 yards. I had no problem whacking that 300 yard plate once I figured out where to hold the sights to drop them in! There was a guy with a 223 shooting at the plate, and when he hit, you wouldn't see it move. When I whacked it with the 45-70, it would rock back and forth. They are very nice rifles, the only thing I'd like Marlin to do is extend the mag tube and allow one or two more round capacity.

    Chris8161
    Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!
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  • seamusseamus Member Posts: 96 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks Chris. That's just what I wanted to hear. I don't expect to take 500 yard shots with it, but wanted to know if the rifle would shoot a decent group at about 300 yards or so. And I agree, increasing the capacity of the tubular mag to hold a fifth round would be nice. Hard to figure why they didn't do that.
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  • seamusseamus Member Posts: 96 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    By the bye, does anyone know what the drop is at 300 yards of a bullet from a 45/70 cartridge? I don't know the weight(s) of the factory ammo.
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hornady factory loads, 22" Barrel.
    300 gr 100yard 0, 200 yards-11.9",300 yrds-44.3"
    350gr 100yard 0,200-14.9",300-53.7".
    Hope this helps.Could not find data fo 18.5".If you would like I can run it through my program for a 18.5 barrel tonight and e-mail you a copy.

    The most important things, Are not things.
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  • seamusseamus Member Posts: 96 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks Varmit Hunter, that would be great. The 18 1/2" barrel is what I want for my purposes. You can reach me at: . Thanks again.
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Will run the complete program for you tonight and send it. I will even run the click chart, Just in case you wont to scope it.

    The most important things, Are not things.
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  • I.ShuteI.Shute Member Posts: 647 ✭
    edited November -1
    If you want serious protection against Brown Bears I wouldn't consider factory ammo. That rifle will handle heavier ammo than YOU can.
    I shoot 400 grains at 2150 fps in a Mauser bolt. Have only broken 1 stock with that load.
    I tried it in the 1895SS, 22" bbl., but only once. I was sure I'd destroyed the rifle. Almost tore my shoulder off, but didn't hurt the rifle.
    I keep the Marlin load around 1770 fps and that's max for me.
    I think the Hornady 350 gr. flat point at about 1800 to 1900 fps would be a perfect load for your rifle,- worked up to, of course.
    I doubt if the factory load would put a Brown down unless you stuck it in his ear.

    IShaywire27@webtv.net
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    I'ne owned 4 different 45-70's over the years and the best loads for any one of them was a 400 grain hard cast bullet. The Marlin will drive these bullet to 1950 FPS +.

    AlleninAlaska

    Free men are not equal and equal men are not free
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  • seamusseamus Member Posts: 96 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ques. for Aglore: I'm planning to fish in Alaska, not hunt bears. Do you think the Marlin 45/70 Guide Gun, with an 18.5 barrel, is an appropriate defensive weapon for big bear country? I'm not planning to put a Brownie down, but if one thinks he desirves my salon catch more then I do, I'd feel better having something in my hand a little heavier than a fly rod! And thanks to all for your replies.
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    Well from the legal standpoint, you cannot shoot a Brown Bear in defense of life or property over some fish on a stringer. Now if it was your salmon smoking house, you could. The 45-70 loaded with some very good hard cast bullets will work quite well. The best factory loads for this situation is the Garrett loads. Either the 415 grain load or the 535 grain load. The best defense against these animals is a good knowledge of your surropundings. More people are apt to have problems with black bear then they are with brown bears.

    AlleninAlaska

    Free men are not equal and equal men are not free
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