Joining the lever club...

[CrazyMiniMan]

Well, in a moment of supreme weakness, I caved in, forked over the $490, and got myself a Marlin 1895G (or is it 1875?) in .45-70 caliber. I love this gun, I havent even shot it yet! But I love it. Its short, its got a big thick barrel, the porting is awesome, I love how its so solid, the stock doesnt wobbel or anything, very solid rifle. I do have a couple questions for any of you that might know...
What is the recoil like in a .45-70? Compare it to a .270 Win or a 7MM Ultra Magnum. Sharper? Harder? Heavier?
Can anybody recommend a really good high quality Ghost Ring sight I can get that will fit this rifle? I thought about putting a scope on it, but I decided not to because I will mostly be shooting this at 25 yards or LESS in heavy brush.
Thanks to all that reply...

:cannon:

[Old Judge Creek]

First, Congratulations!! Ya done good.

Recoil - it really depends on the load you select and what load you select will depend on the game you expect to take.

A friend of mine in Alaska wrote the following:
I normally use Buffalo Bore's in heavy bear country, but even the factory loads......while slower than an '06 have WAY more knockdown power and make a much MUCH bigger hole...I've put a standard hardcast 405 through a big black bear 456lbs~ .....granted not a griz but the average griz is usually a little under 600lbs) that not only knocked it backwards and rolled it!.........but blew clean through it breaking ribs and a chunk of it spine out in the process! one more in the heart stopped it from thrashing for good......it never could get back up again.

The exit hole was about the size of a coffee cup. Buffalo Bore has about twice the velocity and twice the engery....and about 4 times the KICK! , but it would for sure do the job too. I like the 45-70 for it's power, but also because of it's size...I have the Marlin 1895G, which is light and easy to shoulder and move in tight brush.

In the lower 48, I find the 405 grain hardcast bullet to be all I need for any animal I may encounter.

If you reload: my favorite load is 28.0 grains of XMP 5744 under an Oregon Trail 405 grain bullet. This chronographs in my Shiloh Sharps at a leisurely 1424 FPS. It's accurate in the Sharps out to 600 yards and in my 1886 Winchester will group 4" at 200 yards. I've taken deer and pig easily with this load. The recoil is mild and I can shoot 200 rounds without having a sore shoulder (with Buffalo Bore or CorBon I can shoot about 10 before I get a sore shoulder).

[CrazyMiniMan]

Thanks Old Judge Creek, I do like this gun, and I am glad I bought it.
Wow. Thats really something. The exit hole the size of a coffee can? I to have a friend up in Alaska, he has said a lot about the 1895G, thats why I bought one. Its so compact, its wonderful. I took it out to the woods behind my house and tried manuevering it around in teh brush, its short length helped a lot.

I dont reload, but I really want to start doing that. The problem is, I still live at home while attending college, (saves my parents money and saves me a LOT of money) but my Mom isnt really wild about me having 18 guns in my room in the first place, and she absolutely draws the line at me having loose gunpowder in cannisters laying around everywhere. She thinks I will blow myself up and she will have to clean little pieces of me off the ceiling. I tried to convince her how ridiculous this is, but it doesnt make a difference. :( So no reloading for me for now.