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August 22, 2013, 11:46 PM | #1 |
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Help with choosing a new lever gun
Hey fellow firearm enthusiasts, I am wanting to purchase a 45-70 lever action rifle, and I am currently debating between a new Marlin 1895 guide gun and a Rossi Rio grande. Does anyone have any experience good or bad that could give me a suggestion on which one to go with? The Rossi is a full 100 dollars cheaper and seems to have more bells and whistles, such as a bit longer barrel, a larger loop lever, and a scope mount. But Im assuming that the Marlin is made with a lot more STEEL since it is a full inch and a half shorter, but weighs a pound an a half more, which leads me to believe that it can handle hotter loads. Will the 18.5 inch barrel drastically decrease accuracy on the Marlin Guide gun? Despite the fact that Marlin historically made good firearms, I have to wonder about the quality of the Marlin since it is being made by Remington these days. I know Rossi is made out of Brazil through Taurus manufacturing, and a lot of people knock Taurus, but I have never had a problem with a single Taurus firearm. So as you can see I am having a tough choice and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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August 23, 2013, 06:33 PM | #2 | |
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Quote:
For someone wanting a .45-70 levergun, I'd recommend: 1) An older (pre-Remington) Marlin of any age, 1972, onward. 2) A Winchester/Miroku Model 1186/86, especially the M86EL. 3) An original Winchester M1886/86. 4) (maybe) A new Henry . |
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August 23, 2013, 06:34 PM | #3 |
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You're not considering the Henry?
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August 23, 2013, 07:01 PM | #4 |
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I saw the Henry 45/70 in my LGS and they are just as smooth as their .22's, like butter, but I've never shot one.
I love my old model Marlin |
August 23, 2013, 08:18 PM | #5 |
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I have a pre-Remington Guide gun and it's one of my all-time favorite rifles (and cartridges). I also have a newish (Remington-made) 336 and it's fine... just as good as any JM Marlin I've had.
I also have a newish Rossi 92 in 44 Mag and it's Just as good or better than the Marlins I've had. After cleaning the action, cycling it a few hundred times, and throwing some Tru-Oil on the stock it's slicker than snot, looks good, lightweight, and very accurate. Marlin or Rossi, they'll both benefit from some TLC. Today I handled a new Henry at the LGS (45 Colt), and my Marlins and a Rossi have a much slicker action. I heard that Henrys are very slick out of the box, but that wasn't my experience today. (And the Henry cost twice as much as a Rossi.) Last edited by Axelwik; August 23, 2013 at 08:56 PM. |
August 24, 2013, 04:36 PM | #6 |
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One consideration may be parts & service down the road.
Rossi doesn't make parts easily available for leverguns, as a rule. Denis |
August 24, 2013, 09:31 PM | #7 |
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Help with choosing a new lever gun
Just my two cents, though probably worth only half of that is my recent purchase of the Henry 010 45-70. I only have twenty rounds through it but the action is smooth and sure. It points quickly and naturally for me. The XS ghost ring makes for fast target acquisition. I will have to practice a lot more with these nearly 60 year old eyes before hunting season and decide on whether a scope is needed or not.
There is a nice article in this months American Rifleman on the Henry 45-70. All the best, Bill
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August 25, 2013, 08:49 AM | #8 |
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Someone in The Firing Line Gun Show is selling a stainless Marlin guide gun in 45-70.
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August 26, 2013, 06:43 PM | #9 |
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+1 to exphys2010
I am also wondering what would be a good lever gun, a local pawn shop I stopped at last week had about a dozen 94 winchesters, I almost bought one, 1894 30wcf (serial put it at 1939 production) had a side mount, period correct weaver scope (looked like it was installed when the gun was new). Decent condition but I just wasn't sure. Could have got it for $400. So what is a good lever gun?? I'm partial to the 30-30 |
August 26, 2013, 08:45 PM | #10 |
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1895 Marlin guide gun
I've got an 1895 Marlin guide gun which I like but, I might sell do to circumstances.
It's a light, handy, short, weather resistant SS rifle that packs a punch up close. Its a little problematic at long range but, can be effective at long range by truly dedicated individuals. Truthfully I prefer a handy, short, weather resistant, SS rifle with controlled round feed chambered in .338 Win Mag for most of the same applications. |
August 26, 2013, 09:08 PM | #11 |
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I'd seriously consider the Henry for a .45-70. Same basic design as the Marlin but the QC and fit & finish seems alot better than the newer Marlins.
http://henryrepeating.com/rifle-45-70.cfm
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August 26, 2013, 10:17 PM | #12 |
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I have a series of Marlins, both pre and post Remington. My Guide Gun is, in fact, the later "RemLin" people love to hate.
I love it. Perfect size/handling, "good" finishing for a rough-country rifle, smoothest/most reliable feeding action for a large cartridge I've ever experienced, pre-drilled for integral scope mounts, and accurate as I could ever ask -- even with stout lead loads. One recommendation: pull it apart (easy for you) on your kitchen table (hard for your wife) and install the widely available aftermarket "Happy Trigger." See: http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/45...ml#post1065588 for a little more detail. |
August 26, 2013, 10:48 PM | #13 |
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I have a regulat 1895 MArlin 45-70. Its about 15 years old. Functions fine. App 2 MOA. Decent rifle.
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August 28, 2013, 07:48 PM | #14 |
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Love my Remlin, the henry looks good but you have to remove the magazine tube to reload which sounds like a pia.
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August 28, 2013, 09:16 PM | #15 |
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The one I am working on getting is the Marlin 1895 Cowboy. It has a 26" full octagon barrel and a full length magazine tube. A fellow club member bought one a few years back (before they discontinued it) and has never used it. He has volunteered that it's mine if I want it.
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August 29, 2013, 12:08 AM | #16 |
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Been my favorite for years. Marlin 336 in the 35 Rem. Talk about a perfect deer slayer. Good to about 150 yards. 1 shot, deer goes down or leaves a blood trail that's about a foot wide. And when you get used to it, Its fast....
After sighting it in, I like to make 3 pop cans jump in less then 5 sec. at the 50 yard line... Great gun that I would never get rid of. DOWN SIDE: Where do you buy the rounds? |
August 29, 2013, 12:16 PM | #17 |
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Well, probably not at WalMart, but most gun shops and large sporting good stores (i.e., Cabalas, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shop, etc.) where I shop at carry .35 Remington ammunition.
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August 29, 2013, 04:10 PM | #18 |
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Most online ammo seller's, (cheaper than dirt, midway, brownells, able ammo, natchez, etc) carry Hornady LEVERevolution (when it's in stock) in .35 rem. Its a dandy load with the 200 gr FTX bullet. Groups the best of anything I've ever shot in my .35 and supposedly has a higher MV than any other 200 gr .35 rem ammo.
Before the most recent shortage it could be bought anywhere all day long, but I don't know about now. I haven't shot up all of my inventory of it yet Back to the OP's topic of .45-70, Hornady makes a 325 gr LEVERevolution load for it I believe. That's definitely what I would feed a .45-70 if I had one.
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August 30, 2013, 07:57 AM | #19 |
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Between the Rossi or the Marlin- I'd go with the Guide gun. If the Rossi cost's less with more bells & whistles, I'd ignore that and get the Guide gun.
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August 30, 2013, 08:04 AM | #20 |
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Marlin is a good gun. But if you have the money go with the HENRY!!!
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August 30, 2013, 08:18 AM | #21 |
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Wasn't a 45-70 but my Marlin .44 mag. couldn't find a 30" square target from bench rest at 25 yards.
It was an older one, the newer Remlins might be better. If you buy a Marlin do so only if you have return rights. Personally, I would buy anything but a Marlin. |
August 30, 2013, 10:22 AM | #22 |
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No complaints about my 1895GBL Remlin in either function or accuracy. It's really a fantastic little rifle. While I don't have a longer barreled .45-70 to compare it to, it's hard to imagine that there is going to be any significant mechanical accuracy gain from going longer.
I have not owned a Rio Grande, but my experience with other Rossi/Taurus made lever guns (M92s) has been nothing but positive. Based on that experience, I'd expect the Rio Grande to be a decent rifle. |
August 30, 2013, 12:21 PM | #23 |
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The LEVERevolution round is a hotter one, chronographed at a five-shot average of 2041 FPS out of a 30-inch Sharps last week.
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August 30, 2013, 03:35 PM | #24 |
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I own a Win 1886EL and love it. However, for just purely function and hunting, I'd suggest getting the Marlin (even the new ones, they're making them pretty good now). Why? You can buy 2.5 Marlins for the cost of the Win. I got the Win simply because I liked the design and wanted to get some "aftermarket" work done on it by Turnbull. The Marlin is every bit as strong and accurate. Put the money you save into a good Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 and you're still money ahead and have a GREAT hunting gun. I wouldn't even consider the Rossi simply due to customer service and parts issues.I know a lot of people who have them and most work fine. It's the ones that don't that become a problem. No problem with service from Remington. Good luck with whatever you choose.
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August 30, 2013, 03:43 PM | #25 | |
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Quote:
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