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Thread: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
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10-04-2019, 12:33 #1
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Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
I have stumbled across one of these rifles and have a developed an itch that i feel needs scratching. Its a Marlin 1895SBL chambered in 45-70gov. 18.5" stainless steel barrel with deep-cut Ballard-type rifling (6 grooves),
1:20” twist rate. 6 shot tube. I have searched the forum and read up on the caliber, however, most of the threads neglect to mention barrel lengths when discussing loads and shooting distance limitations etc.
I am entertaining this rifle as a bush rifle for anything up to wildebeest. Max distance 120m as well as gongs on the range. What experiences have you guys had etc regarding this caliber in this barrel length. Any advise regarding my potential purchase will be greatly appreciated.
I have always wanted a lever gun. just want to make sure its a workable rifle for my needs.
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10-04-2019, 12:38 #2
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
Following with interest. I only shot a Marlin 45-70 once a few years back, so unfortunately cant add much value other than to say it makes a louder than what I would call normal boom!
I take it you have other hunting options that meet your needs and this is one of those guilty pleasure type rifles and not your primary weapon?
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10-04-2019, 12:59 #3
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
Let me put it this way, I have not hunted in 4 years. I started losing interest as my shooting friends at the time were all longer distance open grassland type hunters. This to me was not what I enjoy. I enjoy walking through the thick finding my meat. Then the two sons came 2 years after my last hunt(I never shot anything this trip) so this further delayed any hunting opportunities. I do not have any rifles anymore at this stage. I enjoy long distance target shooting and am finalizing between a 416 barret, 50bmg or 338lm for this, I will do a few more shoots with other rifles before making my decision. I have no desire for another 308 all rounder again. I don't have tons of free time available to me, so I will be very selective as to what types of hunts I go on. I will book them myself in the environments I enjoy(hence the bush and game suited to the 45-70). I do get many opportunities close to home for an overnight pig shoot. This rifle will be a no brainer for this with a red dot.
I can see myself developing another itch for a 375hh as well in the future. but that's another story for another day.
Just want to get a general idea of what the limitations would be with the marlin with an 18.5 inch barrel. Its by no means a budget rifle. And I really dont want to regret this decision. This will serve as my primary rifle for the time being. But primary to the environments I choose to hunt in. If that makes any sense.
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10-04-2019, 14:34 #4
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
I will gladly hunt all the normal bigger (not the big five)stuff with the 45-70, plenty of killing power and you can use softer bullets with great results due to the slower muzzle velocity. Awesome caliber for your application IMO.
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10-04-2019, 15:15 #5
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
My dad has a mod. 1895 in 444 marlin and it makes a good bushveld rifle in my opinion. It is easy to carry and fast to reload on follow up shots on warthog etc. His has the microgroove barrel and is accurate out to 150m with factory ammunition, which is much further than most shots in bushveld type terrain. He has also taken springbok in the karoo with it (using significant holdover). The lowish velocity of these big bores doesn't produce much meat damage if bone is not hit. I shot 2xbushpig, a warthog, impala and jackal with it and have to say that it just works. Marlin rates the 444 and the 45-70 capable for up to moose sized game so I would be comfortable to go for kudu and maybe eland as well with it.
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10-04-2019, 15:34 #6
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
My father in law had an old Westley Richards rifle action he re-built into a .45-70 falling block lever gun. Single shot, but man, what a bush gun! Recoil was shockingly less than you'd imagine, and the rifle was a dream to shoot. Also had a shorter barrel, although I'll lie if I tell you what length it was. Thing shot tunnels in everything he hunted with it. I remember him shooting Hornady FTX bullets in the gun, as the ogive and tips made for good feeding, and I guess it'll be important in the tube for you as well, having a soft-tipped bullet resting on the firing pin of the round in front of it when firing.
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10-04-2019, 16:37 #7
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
I don't know about 444 case availability but using a 44 mag I know that bullet cost and availability is not a problem. The 458 bullets are relatively expensive and I find my 458 gathers dust because of that.I don't see the point of going to a range and only shooting 20 or 30 shots.The 44 allows for a lot more fun.
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10-04-2019, 17:19 #8
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
Rage. Myself have a .44 Mag Marlin and my brother one of those 45/70 s. We hunt together a lot. Buy it and hunt with it. It is really accurate enough for bushveld distances. He has a 1-4 x scope fitted and we have nailed warthog up to 180 m. Even 240 m once, but now that is not the intended purpose of the rifle, just giving you my experience. For closer range it is a hard hitting calibre. Big bullets make big holes and they penetrate really good. Broadside on bushpig do pass right through. Frontal shots on bushpigs is spectacular. On antelope meat damage is minimal. Trajectory is also more than adequate. It is not a head shot at 100 m on Impala gun, but broadside or frontal shots out to 80 meters no hold over is needed. 80 -150 m about 3 inch hold over and you should hit vitals, no problem there.
I don't have the load info with me, but we load with 300 gr bullets and they give 2000 fps. (1985 - 2020 to be more exact.) Compare that to the 2350 fps of the 9,3 X 62 with 286 gr factory ammo! It sure is a useful rifle.
If buying ammo just check the specs. There is 45/70 ammo around that is loaded to low pressure for the falling block rifles. Those are not good for hunting. Are very slow and bullet drop is excessive.
Functioning is also fine. Just be sure to cycle it with force. It is not a dainty process and don't short stroke. Short stroking jams up the whole action, so throw your arm into the process and do it properly. They are strong, is made for a hard stroke.
Recoil is manageable. Perceptions on recoil differ, but I would put it at more than a 30-06 and less than a fully loaded .375, but the recoil is not slow. It is fast kick and its over. Powder must burn relatively fast to get the velocity out of the short barrel.
So what do we hunt with our lever guns? With the .44 anything up to Impala out to 80 meters. With the 45-70 anything but the big 5 out to 150 meters for the smaller antelope and 100 meters for Blue Wildebeest and kudu size. Have not shot an Eland with it though. For Eland I would prefer less than 70 meter about. Remember the frontal area of the bullets is huge so they shed velocity fast.
I have seen one today in a gunshop for R 30 000.
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10-04-2019, 20:05 #9
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
I have not owned a 45-70, yet. I have played with a few of them and every time I do, I start making plans to get one. Then more pressing needs mess up the process...
I do not think that the difference between the MV from a 18" and a 22" barrel is significant enough for the target animal to notice. The trajectory is curved anyway, so a few extra FPS won't make much difference there either. The biggest difference is in the handling, and there I like the shorter barrel (and longer mag). I would also not mind one of the Cowboy versions with long octagonal barrel and full-length mag tube.
One of the rifles I played with belongs to a friend. It was built shortly after Remington took over Marlin. This particular rifle will not shoot better than 3" 5-shot groups at 100m. This is probably good enough for the type, especially if fitted with a RDS or with open sights. There are however those that will shoot 1,5" groups all day long with a preferred load, which is also nice. Apparently the accuracy on recent rifles is better.
One of the nice thing about a 45-70, expecially one with "Ballard"-style rifling, is it's ability to shoot heavy cast lead bullets. This brings down the cost per shot significantly, especially if you can cast your own. And a decent hard-cast bullet is plenty good for most animals that roam the earth, including a few of the Big 5 (with proper placement off course). I would not hesitate to take on Lion or Leopard with a good load, and under certain conditions a Buffalo too. Smaller game are also on the menu, and the relative lack of meat damage is a great plus.
The only real limitation is the effective employment range. Despite the long range exploits of the BP cartridge shooting crowd in their (very nice) Sharps and similar single-shot rifles, in the Marlin the 45-70 is mostly a short-range hunting cartridge. That limits it's versatility compared to, say a 9,3x62 or 375H&H. So you want this rifle as a dedicated bush rifle and limit your shots to 100 or maybe at the most 150m. But therein lies the real beauty of this beast. It makes you a better hunter.
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10-04-2019, 22:27 #10
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Re: Marlin 1895SBL limitations?
A good friend has a Marlin in 45-70. The rifle has a short 18” barrel that is ported. It’s a BEAST of a bushveld rifle, but at a range past 100 to 130 or so meters it’s failings show and you will end up shooting right under your quarry. My buddy has comfortably taken from Impala to Wildebeest with his and Eland wouldn’t be an issue either. The rifle itself is light, points well and because of its size is great to carry in thick bush. If you have an itch, scratch, you won’t be sorry.
Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive.
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