Any experience stories from folks with their first BB lever gun? I've been eyeing something with a bit more "pig power" than .30-.30, BUT I'm a bit nervous about shooting a .45-70 or .444 or .450. I'd greatly appreciate any encouragement or wisdom ya'll have to offer.

HC

".30-.30" AHHHH, SHAME ON ME! .30-30....whew, I feel better now.

Any experience stories from folks with their first BB lever gun?

HC

The beauty of the levergun is it's ergonomic. The Marlin 336 and W94 are excellent packing guns. I.e. they're nice to carry around in your hand all day long while marching through the woods.

The 30-30 is a cheap cartridge to shoot. You can usually pick up a box at WalllyWord for under $10. They cartridge has a good game killing track record. Recoil is moderate. Best rifle for low-cost deer hunting starting point, where the rifle will only get shot a box or two per year.

The 45-70 is a fun cartridge to shoot. The cheapest decent ammo is PMC's 350gr offerring at just under $20 a box. It's a blast to make big holes in things, but it get expensive in a hurry if you don't reload. High-end loads in a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun yield brutal recoil. Best rifle for hunting big game at shorter ranges. It is the most powerful cartridge (45-70 or 450) that you can get in a stubby levergun.

So I think you need to consider what you want to do with it. Have fun making a decision!

Well, the 35 Remington has more punch than the 30-30 yet is quite a bit less than any of the big bore cartridges. I think Warren Page called it more "smackdown" or something like that. Sounds like what you are looking for. If ranges are less than 100 yards, a 44 mag with hardcast or heavy jacketed bullets should do as well. Another option would be to check out PMC's new Starfire ammunition. It's twice as expensive as the normal off the shelf ammunition, but it uses an all copper bullet that should give excellent penetration. I don't have any experience with it on game animals, but it has proven more accurate than most of my handloads for this cartridge.

On the other hand, PMC makes a 45-70 load for cowboy action shooters using a lead bullet that has been very good for large hogs too. Relatively low recoil makes it a pleasure to shoot. Actually, if you handload, you can put together low recoiling rounds in any of the big bore cartridges to match your tolerance level. You can then up the charges (within reason) to your pain threshold as you become more accustomed to them.

I don't think the 444 recoils much more than a 30-06 so there isn't much reason to feel overly nervous. A lot of it will depend upon stock fit and mental attitude. Don't let it intimidate you. Let it exhilarate you!

.35 Rem will kill pigs just fine :)

Welcome to the forum, and by the way, you can edit your own posts as needed.

jt:

If you do not load your own ammo, and are looking for something with a lot of bone crunching power, the 450 Marlin is hard to beat.

For those who do load their own cartridges, and perhaps are somewhat wrapped up in the history of lever guns, then the 45-70 is a great choice. You will find that with a heavy flat nose lead bullet, driven by black or smokeless powder at around 1300 to 1400 fps will easily handle any creature in North America.

I have one of Winchester's new 1886 light weight rifles with a Marbles tang sight. My favorite load is 66 grains GOEX Cartridge under a bullet cast in Lyman's 457193 mold.

Yo, good thoughts! Many thanks for the quick replies.

The lever gun history is what drives me toward the 45-70. Been hunting for years with 336 in 30-30 and picked 30-30 for a.) lever gun, just LOVE levers, and 2.) historical value. I'm a computer geek with a history degree, go figgure.

I saw a great number of posts on home cooked 45-70 loads with moderate recoil and that really peaked my interest. I'm not too recoil sensitive, but just unfamiliar with the bb levers. I've used 30-06, 270 etc. quite a bit over the years, but they just aren't lever guns. :)

I think Jayhawker has answered the other question I didn't know I had yet, and that's factory loads that aren't too brutal for range use. As for heavy loads? Who's gona notice when there's 250 - 400 lbs of hog on the business end of the gun.

Thanks guys!

hc

I had a 45/70 guide gun and learned to shoot it thought the gun had it's problems, and I finally sold it . I worked real great in the bush , but when it came to the longer shot ,it could not get on target .The Rainbow affect.
I bought a BLR in 358W. this rifle will take any game I would want to shot at with only a percent of the recoil of the 45/70. How ever ammo is not cheap and one then is best off to reload as it was with the 45/70. The 308 W round would also suit. I also have a Marlin 336/35 great little mid range gun
I do not think you would be undergunned with the 30/30 as many Canadains do harvest moose at close range with this gun. You could use PMC starline if you wanted to penetrate abit more with your bullet.
The Marlin 35 Cal is also an excellent cartridge . Reloading makes this round come alive , and or you could buy buffalo Bore rounds which would take care of that pig quick.
So if your into levers , a Winchester , Marlin, Browning ,Savage will do in 30/30, 35 Rem,300Sav.,308 W, 356W,358W, 375,444,45/70,450M, 405W and up will suit your needs.
Look at the rifle data , factor in the enery required to kill the game you intend to hunt, over the range you will be hunting over ,the best fitting rifle for "YOU " and you got your answer.
If you would like the trust of about 50FT Ib 's to the shoulder for a strong short range rifle by all means buy a 45/70. But do you need it? You need to be able to place a bullet in the vitals, not depend on making a big hole to get the job done.Happy

I was intimadated by it. I bought one and quickly went through a box of 20 factory rounds( 350 grain Remingtons). By the end of the box I was resting the rifle on the rest and letting it rise up with very little holding down on the forearm . I just let it jump up in the air with the recoil. I found the recoil to be a push rather than a punch. It's a pleasure to shoot.I didn't find it punishing at all as I had aticipated. I look foward to loading it up hotter than the factory rounds. What a fun caliber to shoot. I think that you will like it.
spurgon

Go ahead and get the 45/70 - it can handle anything
you'll hunt and if you get into handloading it is
tremendously fun and easier to tweak than other cartridges.

The PMC cowboy stuff works pretty well, but I haven't
had the best accuracy with it. The ol' standby
Remington 400 grain greenbox load is pretty accurate (tho
not the best) and will take any deer/hog/small-medium
blackbear you'll come across. It also doesn't seem
to jab so much as just give your shoulder a big slow
push. I can shoot a few boxes of those things per
day without any flinching or stiff shoulder, easily.

I used to hunt with a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington, but
my brother ended up with it. That was a fine rifle
too, but I think the 45/70 is much more "customizable"

best o luck !

I'm kinda/sorta in the same boat as jtexfisher...

I have other hunting arms and have no need of a big bore lever, but yet I'm still taken with them. I just like the levers. Big hole in the end of the barrel or small hole in the end, don't matter; I just like 'em.

I too, don't think I'm recoil sensitive, but then again I've never toched off a .45-70. I've got lots of experience w/ a .30-06 and several .44 Mag revolvers & a carbine and have never had problems with the recoil.

I don't yet reload, but might well get into it in the near future. With that being said...

How's the recoil of the PMC 350gr factory offerring? This is what I'd most likely shoot. If I do choose to get a big bore, I'd most likely get a .45-70 since (some) of the factory stuff is not loaded to the max. I'll admit I shudder at the thought of 50 ft/lbs of recoil. Surely though, that kind of recoil is only for the hot loaded stuff. Please advise.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Biglmbass
If you are at home with the 3006 the 45/70 would be a step up in recoil. I would say at the bench it is more like that of a 12 guage 3" mag .
For some people the '06 is is the turning point as far as recoil goes. Twenty years ago I could not handle the 3006 and went down to the 308 .
Hunting with the 45/70 guide gun is another matter. First most of the time you would have more clothes on, and second when that deer comes in front of you your brain says pull the trigger and lever another round "hand".This all happens with out thought , if you have gone some practice during the off season . The first deer I shot I never noticed a thing , just looked though my weaver 2X scope and low and behold one every dead deer once shot.
One thing to consider . The reason I sold the guide was that it was over bored and I found it had the speed bumps that I was told about. Hense it would not group under 5" @ 100 yards. This problem, plus that the 45/70 is not a flat shooting round , rather it has a rainbow affect ,was the reason I sold the rifle.
I bought a BLR in 358 W and now a happy camper.

How ever I have read many guys that have a rifle with the 22' barreled action and report being able to shoot clover leafs @ 100 yards If I was to come accross a 22' barreled straight stocked Marlin with a good bore and would group, I would buy it. Just would want to check it out first now that I know a few things about Marlin Barrels. Keep this in mind . You have been told.That said the PMC 350 / federal 300 / Winchester supreme are all you need .


One thing for sure . After shooting the 45/70 guide gun for two years my 3006 is now a pussy -cat and I find myself much improved shooting off hand . Then comes the 35 Rem in the Marlin . It feels more like a twenty two.
Shot a freinds 10lb + single shot 45/70. Man what fun , and the groups were there. Think I should have enjoyed this rifle more.( hind sight)
Then I would never had need of the 358W BLR.That! and the 35 Marlin are the rifles of choice.


Happy

jtexfisher--

The 35 Remington is all you need for pig power. Much lighter in recoil and report than the other big bores. I often cringe when someone shows up with these big bores and heavy bullets because I hunt hogs with dogs alot of times. "Whos gonna notice when there is a 250-400lb. hog on the business end of a gun". If a dog is hit with a bullet that has exited, I assure you he will notice.The heavier bullets tend to exit more easily than some of the 35's. I like em loaded down some for hunting over dogs.Just wanted to offer a little different perspective. What ever you choose you will be happy, for all the cartridges listed are good and even funner to shoot.

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."
Ronald Reagan

Thanks,

Jason

I don't think you can go wrong with the guide gun. I reload a 405gr JSP @ 1800fps. With a 2.5x IER scope I can easily group 3 shots inside 1 1/2 sometimes quite a bit better. With the ghost ring sites 2-2 1/2" groups are the norm at 100. I keep my ghost rings sights dead on at 150, puts me 3" high at 100 and only 7" low at 200. Thats flat enough for most of my shooting, If I'm going to be shooting farther than that I'll take my 338 WM.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid162/pcc0db9bce637e302693cea0f9fdea20a/f4abd4ee.jpg

jtexfisher--


"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."
Ronald Reagan

Thanks,

Jason

As a Canadain I would be offended by such a remark.

I personly like Americans, but, there are many that would strongly disagree with me and take out the "liberal" and put in "American."

I am not a liberal but the ^^^^^^^% country is being run by them. Americans are not too liked by the "Liberals " at this time as I hear .

I feel that " you- all" are more than welcome to sit at my table any time.
But can we just be friendly and stay on track with just the forum and leave other things alone.

Feel you just shot your self in the foot. :(
Happy

Nice set up
I agree with were you have your sites set . I used the same .
Too bad my Guide would not group as well . Had a friend shoot the rifle and it shot the same.
Happy trails. :D

I don't think you can go wrong with the guide gun. I reload a 405gr JSP @ 1800fps. With a 2.5x IER scope I can easily group 3 shots inside 1 1/2 sometimes quite a bit better. With the ghost ring sites 2-2 1/2" groups are the norm at 100. I keep my ghost rings sights dead on at 150, puts me 3" high at 100 and only 7" low at 200. Thats flat enough for most of my shooting, If I'm going to be shooting farther than that I'll take my 338 WM.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid162/pcc0db9bce637e302693cea0f9fdea20a/f4abd4ee.jpg

That is a fine looking gun. I've seen the pic posted here and elswhere I believe, but I just noticed how high the rear peep sticks up. Can't you see the rear peep while looking into the scope? Do you just learn to ignore it?

Nonetheless, again, that is a neat looking outfit. Looks all business and no bull.

Factory loads in the 350 grain range are very manageable, and give you enough power to take all but the largest hogs (400+ pds.) and deer all day long. Trajectory makes it a little harder to place the bullet where you want it past 150 yards, so it's a matter of practice. There are several modern loads available if you don't reload, that bump up the power and recoil considerably, and in the other direction using cowboy loads, so you've got quite a few options depending on what and where you are shooting. Personally, I would give the .35 Remington a good look, as the 200 grain core-loct factory ammo does indeed have more "punch" on game, or whatever you want to call it, than the 30-30, in my experience. Plus when using either handloads or premium ammo, the .35 will give you enough versatility for 200 yard shots on deer, closer shots for large hogs up to elk and everything in between. This is NOT to say that using the .35, 200 grain bullet on an elk at 100 yards would be better than either a 240gr. .444 Marlin or 350-405gr. 45-70, as I believe we as hunters are ethically bound to make as clean and quick a kill as possible, but I am stating that you can taylor the .35 Remington loads to enable you to do so.
Personally I think you can never own too many leverguns, so get both!:D

One caliber I've seen omitted here that would suit your purpose is the 38/55. My rifle has taken Elk as well as deer, and it has a Black Powder Only marked barrel. The more modern barrels will take jacketed bullets better, but mine has never known anything except lead.

Lee L.

Jtex-I know of three Bison and several pigs and Bears takin with the 300 Nosler in the last year.The Winchester Supreme Partition Gold in factory loads at a mild velocity and "Recoil" are a great bullet infact a guy just shot a pig with a Nosler and was abit miffed he couldn't show the bullet as it went in broke the shoulder and neck and exited.
Mild recoil but deadly results.

Good luck on your choice....Jayco

Harry Snippe, my Canadian friend. I'm sorry to have made you upset. I don't believe the context of the quote to be aimed at Canadians but at the liberals here in America as Reagan had a conservative point of view. If I misunderstood the qoute, once again I offer my apologies.

Thanks,

Jason

Harry Snippe, my Canadian friend. I'm sorry to have made you upset. I don't believe the context of the quote to be aimed at Canadians but at the liberals here in America as Reagan had a conservative point of view. If I misunderstood the qoute, once again I offer my apologies.

Thanks,

Jason

Jason
I did not get too upset with the words . Just thought some Canadian friends might take great offense .

As I said I myself like the American people overall .
I will add your name in my "good people book" :cool:
Harry Snippe (Happy)

One thing for sure . After shooting the 45/70 guide gun for two years my 3006 is now a pussy -cat and I find myself much improved shooting off hand

Boy that is the truth! The 7mm Mag seems like a noisy .22lr compared to my Guide Gun.

And that is probably my biggest "gotcha" with the GG - you can beat yourself into a flinch trying to handle high-end loads. And then it can take a lot of shooting to get rid of the flinch. But once you've conquered the "surprize break" with the GG, I don't think any other rifle/cartridge combo will bother you.

Everyone needs to have a 45-70 ;)
The cartridge has proven itself countless times on everything in north america, and the recoil isn't bad compared to the magnums. The "rainbow" trajectory can be compensated for as long as you spend some time at the range. And as always, practice always helps.

If you don't handload, there are factory loads from 305 to 500gr readily available. If you do handload, the possibilities are unlimited. It is also a good venue into handloading as there is a lot of data available and it is relatively forgiving.

I just don't see how you could go wrong with it.

My next purchase will be a Marlin 1895 45/70 with the pistol grip, almost did it today but I bought a brand new Ruger Super Redhawk 480, I also have a Winchester Timber 450 Marlin with a Nikon 2-7 scope on it.

Thanks again to all....

I think I'll give it a go. Worst case is a trade and another bit of experience.

As for loads. Any recommendation for a "starting" factory load. Seems like the remington 300ish (small??) load gets the nod. Just want to double check before I bite.

Next step will be to learn to load. I can see the potential for a medium load for this gun....should be fun.

I'm hoping to get to the local shop and get the gun Saturday, then off to the back 40.

jtex

jtexfisher,
What do you want to do with the gun??

I have both the 26in 1895CB and the 18.5in 1895GS. The latter is used for hunting black bear primarily. It's a great brush gun and can plow through the brush as well as the bear....I don't shoot over 100-125 yds with it. The 26 in gun is not used much...though I could see taking it feral pig/boar hunting, or if I had the chance, buffalo hunting. As far as recoil...shooting the Remington 405's has no effect, but shooting the Garret's (420 and above) or the Buffalo Bores (430 and above) is something else...that takes a recoil pad. I had a pachmayr deceleration pad installed on the 26 incher. Having blood thinning meds, I was concerned about bruising. BUT...no big deal with the pad...I can shoot 50+ and the only thing that hurts is the wallet! As a result, I had pachmayr pads installed on three 12 gauges, the Guide Gun, and the 30-06...they are all pleasant shooters now! Sooo...if you are recoil sensitive, that would be the way to go. (I used the past pad for a while, but it was too hot in the summer and early fall.)
The two rounds I have used regularly are the Winchester 45-70, 300 grain Nosler partition and Winchester X, 300 grain .... both great for bear hunting.and are factory loads. I haven't reloaded yet...but plan on doing so this Spring.
I also picked up the insert for the chamber that allows 45 acps to be shot...however...I had to pound the insert out with a dowel and haven't used it since...
The 18.5 inch guide gun has a Burris 2.75 scout scope on it, and the 26in 1895CB has a Nikon 2-7x Shotgun scope on it.
The guns can be seen at http://www.geocities.com/rugercal480.

You will love the versatility of a .45-70 but the .35 Remington and .375 Winchester are both good choices, too. I had the opportunity a year ago to shoot three pigs with three different lever guns in three days. I hit the first pig with my Guide Gun and Garrett's 420-grain hammerheads. It literally lifted the big sow off the ground and made her swap ends. The third sow was shot with a .30-30 with 170-grain softpoints. It took three bullets to kill her.

jtex, 2 good hunting loads[factory], would be the winchester nosler partition gold[expensive], PMC 350 gr. +P load. Either of these loads, should take care of any deer, hog, black bear, etc. out to 175-200 yds. You will get a little flatter trajectory with these than the heavier gr. bullets, until you get into the heavier +P loads. The winchester load kicks about like a 20 ga. heavy load, and the PMC kicks about like my deer slug shotgun with 2 3/4" foster slugs. You won't want to use the winchester load for too much plinking, cause they are around $30+ a box. But that load is VERY accurate in my guide gun, and I'm the one that jaycocreek was talking about that shot the hog in the neck, smashed the spine, and exited. I really wouldn't be afraid to use that load on anything I could afford to hunt.

Mad Dog

That is a fine looking gun. I've seen the pic posted here and elswhere I believe, but I just noticed how high the rear peep sticks up. Can't you see the rear peep while looking into the scope? Do you just learn to ignore it?

Nonetheless, again, that is a neat looking outfit. Looks all business and no bull.


The rear peep is visilbe while looking thru the scope but doesn't bother me at all. Here is what it looks like thru the scope.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/p1edb5c5334a34ad333b21b2da8f6d0ae/f67a40aa.jpg

Everybody's got and entitled to thier opinions. I've taken countless deer from Georgia to Pennsylvania. All but six with the 30-30.
(One with a 44 Magnum Ruger Super Redhawk, one with a 308 Model 99 Savage, one with an 8mm Mauser one, with the same Muser after rebarrling it to 30-06, one with a Reminton 7600 30-06, and one with my Marlin 45-70).

The 35 Remington, from what I've seen, works as well as the 30-30, but is NOT the quantum leap in "knockdown power" over the 30-30 that some believe it to be, (unless certain handloads or semi-custom "Buffalo Bore" type ammo is used.

I've got an 1894G 45-70 and it's great. Recoil is easily managed, (the porting helps, I'm sure and I could care LESS about the alleged blast and noise).

But the doe I neck shot with the 45-70 didn't drop or die any faster that those I hit solidly with the 30-30.

Good luck & good shooting.

I'd like to finish up this thread with a quick update. Wound up choosing the 1895 classic. My short fingers do much better with the 336 style stock.

As for the round? 4 words for the 45-70..."here piggy, piggy, piggy". LOVE the .45-70! I was a bit intimidated by the size of that hole in the end, and double nervous when I opened the box of ammo. MAN them things are big. Me, a buddy, a few balloons and two cantalopes went out shooting Sunday. What a hoot! Shot a box of Federal 300's. Fun to shoot, love the sound, and double impressed with the liquid fruit salad @ 75yds.

Thanks all, I'm as hooked on 45-70 as I am on 30-30. My "matched pair" of Marlins and I will be buddies for a long, long time.

Good to hear it jtexfisher! When you get a chance, tell us how it prints at 100 yards (just curious).
And just what did those poor melons do to you?!? :)

The 1895 classic , I assume is the 22'' pistol grip rifle . Am I correct?
I have also heard of and seen pictures of the Ltd. model with the half octagon, half round barrel.
That one would please me.

Happy

Harry Snippe

Yep....stamp say's 1895, Marlin website refers to it as "The Classic Model 1895"...so I guess I got it backwards. oops.

If you want knock-down power for whitetail or mulies then you really want a fast-mover with ballistic tips. My .270w loaded to the gills with a 130gr Nosler BT drops them on the spot. They go 3ft.....straight down!

Knock down power with a 45-70.....big hole in, big hole out. They will die a certain death. Some will run 125yds....and not get away. If you hit one in the shoulder joint that thing will go down....or hit one in the neck.

The 45-70 is a great cartridge. I hope by know you've bought the Marlin. If/when you first pull the trigger you will have no prob's wondering where it will fit in as a hunting rifle. The Guide Gun is THE fun gun in my cabinet.

The nice thing about the 45-70 is it's versatility. You want deer but have a moose trip coming up in the same area?? Take the 45-70. Oh, got a bear tag, too?? Yup, take the 45-70.

I use mine to take out the rogue coons that border our corn fields and deer feeders. They dont go far, either. :)



Perferator

I'd like to finish up this thread with a quick update. Wound up choosing the 1895 classic. My short fingers do much better with the 336 style stock.

As for the round? 4 words for the 45-70..."here piggy, piggy, piggy". LOVE the .45-70! I was a bit intimidated by the size of that hole in the end, and double nervous when I opened the box of ammo. MAN them things are big. Me, a buddy, a few balloons and two cantalopes went out shooting Sunday. What a hoot! Shot a box of Federal 300's. Fun to shoot, love the sound, and double impressed with the liquid fruit salad @ 75yds.

Thanks all, I'm as hooked on 45-70 as I am on 30-30. My "matched pair" of Marlins and I will be buddies for a long, long time.

Love my Guide Gun! Just remember how well those Federal 300 grain hollow points worked for you. Not all factory ammo is going to ge as good. I handload for mine but far and away, the best factory ammo I have seen for it is the Federal 300HP. I think they use Sierra Pro Hunter Bullets. I'm going to be outfitting my Guide Gun with the Williams Firesight fiberoptic sights very soon. Good luck.

My 45-70 1895 .I've had for years .As a pro petfood /human consumption shooter it has taken down Water bufflow in the Nth of AUZ .camel in the desert regions .I love that old girl she's never let me down .You can load it down for plinkin targets .Or load it up for Putting game down for the count .**** there ain't nicer than that distinctive "boom" of the ol'45gov going off :D

If you want a cartridge / combo that has punch and lower on recoil than the 444 or 45/70 ,go with a 375win. in a 94BB, Lotz of punch ,little (or less re-coil) Easy cartridge to handload.

Finally got one! GVMT assistance was all it was expected to be. Mama pig...'round 250lbs. We had just left our stand and we (me and my 11 yr old daughter) heard something...maybe a wierd bird? So we stopped and listened. The next sound left no doubt...piglet squeals. About 14 of 'em busted out of the brush, mama bringing up the rear. The kid scooted over 'bout 15yds to a large oak tree and took what cover there was to offer, she was a bit nervous. Mama pig was none to happy to find me there so I took the frontal shot at about 45yds using Federal 300 vital shock. The bullet entered the chest, traveled up and back (destroyed the right backstrap :( ) and exited 3/4 down her backstrap severing her spine. The exit wound was big enough to put my fist in. Now off to wrap and label a cooler full o' pork. Hmmm...GVMT pork barrel?

All smiles,
JT

When you get tired of shooting melons w/ the new 45-70, try concrete masonry blocks!

Turns them into gravel and dust!

I have 45/70 Marlin 336 26" octogon barrle. I replaced the rear sight with a lineman sight like on the Henery lever actions. I've only shot a groundhog at about 200 yards with it and the groundhog rolled about 3 feet. It was a good size hole with a good blood spater. Other than that I haven't killed anything else. As targets go I shoot paper, anything steel and bowling pins. They blow up realy nice into splinters. :D

Welcome to the forum.

That's a pretty good shot on a groundhog with iron sights and I'll bet he was just as surprised as you were ! :D

I got all 3 of the 336's
30-30,35,and a 45/70
30-30 i got one year for xmas
35 was my uncles
45/70 i bought i use the 45/70 more than anything i have even a 300 wsm.i use factory loads right now
but am looking to start handloading soon.

My birthday is next week, I may beg the wife for a Marlin 45/70 :cool:

Thebear_78
That is a nice looking 45-70 Marlin!

You guys are a hoot with the big bullet. Here I am with my miniscule .357 M1894C... I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy. Honestly, the Guide Gun is my next project now that you've all convinced me that the recoil is more like a push instead of a punch/jab.

Thanks for getting me addicted, LOL

Barney

It is like a push. Like someone pushing their fist into your shoulder, at high velocity :eek:

Don't be intimidated, though. It's not too hard to work up, and no one requires that you shoot giant-killer loads from the get-go.

You guys are a hoot with the big bullet. Here I am with my miniscule .357 M1894C... I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy. Honestly, the Guide Gun is my next project now that you've all convinced me that the recoil is more like a push instead of a punch/jab.

Thanks for getting me addicted, LOL

Barney
the recoil with this gun all depends what you shoot in it. if you reload and try some of hodgdons near max loads with the 400 grain bullet i can guarantee that you will find more than just a push. i have the 1895 cowboy, just bought it a few months ago. i love the rifle but the heavys in my opinion are much more than a 12 guage shotgun with slugs or whatever especially off the bench. ive come home with a very bruised shoulder tp prove it. actually ive never fired one factory round through the gun, only reloads so i cant comment on factory ammo. on the other hand, 12 grains of unique makes it a pussy cat.

My birthday is next week, I may beg the wife for a Marlin 45/70 :cool:
dont beg
just go get one
maybe sell off the wife :D

I've been hunting hogs for several years now. I first began using a Weatherby .270 and then went to a Winchester Trapper in .44. Both would drop a hog nicely but then came the 1895GS .45-70. I have yet to see anything as effective as the Guide Gun on a hog. A thumb sized hole in one side and out the other without the mess of an explosive exit wound, no sharp kicking recoil and no blood shot meat. Recoil on the .45-70 is more of a push rather than a kick. Very similar to a shotgun. Just make sure that you have the butt stock tucked in nice and tight before squeezing the trigger. The hogs just flop over dead in their tracks without ever taking a single step like a target in a shooting gallery. It's a beautiful thing. Heavy bullets pushed at 2000+ fps velocities are not necessary. A 350 gr. FNSP at around 1700 fps. will go straight through the neck of a hog and never even think about stopping. One thing is for certain. You will never have to track another hog or deer.

If you don't reload, get a Lee Loader for $15.00, Reloader7, and Sierra 300 jhp's. Find a reloading manual and load some HOT trapdoor loads...just above max for the trapdoor, but still under the starting loads for the 1895. The recoil can best be described as "Powder-Puff", but it smacks deer down like the hand of God! Actually, it is so very mild, but dropped deer so well, I have yet to load anything heavier(only deer thus far).

Jim

Alright, I really want a stainless guide gun in 45-70. But, what will it do that a 12guage slug won't do? I think a load like the Hornady sst in 12ga will pretty much do the same as a 45-70. Please set me straight.

Alright, I really want a stainless guide gun in 45-70. But, what will it do that a 12guage slug won't do? I think a load like the Hornady sst in 12ga will pretty much do the same as a 45-70. Please set me straight.
With factory loadings, the 12ga is more powerful and will knock just about anything down better. Black Hills ammo notwhithstanding...

With properly tailored handloads, or Black Hills ammo, the Guide Gun will kill ANYTHING you hit with it including the stray Kenworth outright, providing you do your part. 12ga just isn't worth much beyond 50yds, in my (admittedly limited) experience.

I personally prefer the standard 1895 because I like the curved grip and the extra 4" of barrel is a nice bonus. Stainless is great, and I might buy an XTR for that reason at some point in the future, but my standard 1895 works just fine for me.

I would second the idea of the longer barrel. Started out buying a used 1895 that had problems with the carrier . I took it back to the dealer and upgraded to the guide. Think now the 1895 longer barrel would had more advantages.