I've never owned a marlin in 45 colt. Anyone use one as a hunting gun? Interested in your experience with game.

I've got marlins in 50 alaskan and 45/70 but due to health reasons I need to cut out some recoil. 45 colt is a favorite of mine in a handgun but never used it in a carbine to hunt with. Thanks, Byron

I've never owned a marlin in 45 colt. Anyone use one as a hunting gun? Interested in your experience with game.

I've got marlins in 50 alaskan and 45/70 but due to health reasons I need to cut out some recoil. 45 colt is a favorite of mine in a handgun but never used it in a carbine to hunt with. Thanks, Byron

Byron: I can't speak directly to the use of the .45 colt for hunting but I do use a Marlin 94/44-40 for hunting. I've taken a bull caribou and a few white tail deer with it. Just keep in mind that your limited to fairly close ranges for a rifle but greater than a handgun with the same cartridge.

Not exactly. But I have used a .45 Colt in a handgun to shoot a couple of hogs.

No complaints.... from any of the parties involved... should be devastating in a rifle.

My 1894 will push 300gr. bullets at 1700fps or so, haven't shot critters with it, but hard to imagine a good ending for anything on the receiving end.

Kicks, though!

A friend just sent me this. He has a Marlin 1894, pretty much the same as mine:


We were on a game management mission, so we were only shooting culls.

I got two spikes with my 45 Colt lever gun. I was using the 300gr LBT
gas check bullets at 1550fps. First one was a brain shot at 50 yards.
He didn't go anywhere. I was using my peep sights and had them set for
50 yards.

The next one was at 70 yards and was a little further
than I wanted to shoot. A head shot was too risky, so I aimed for his
shoulder. The bullet dropped a little and hit him in the heart. He
went about 50 yards and piled up.

The first one weighed 80 pounds after field dressing, the second weighed
95 pounds.

Just something to consider about this question.

A Black-powder load in the .45-70, 325 gr. cast bullet, has a velocity of aprow. 1350 f.p.s. You can drive a 300-325 gr. bullet from a Marlin '94 in .45 Colt in the vicinity of 1700-1800 f.p.s. No one has ever questioned the ability of the Lyman Gould bullet (325 HP) in the .45-70 to kill game, what is the question about the .45 Colt with the same aprox. bullet weight at a significantly higher velocity? The animal doesn't care in the least that the bullet is .006" smaller in diameter, or that the cartridge case it comes from is only 1.600" long instead of 2.100"

Why people continue to ask the question is beyond me.

Alk, mostly just to wind your clock. I jokes. Maybe just for something to talk about.

Alk, did you really read the question? Or just think you did. :D Regards, Byron

The question has been around quite awhile. The answer is called an analogy.

Yes, I have shot game with the .45 and .44 Mag Marlins. Both work exceptionally well. The point was that the .45 Colt in a rifle can be loaded to equal a .45-70, what part of that didn't you understand?

The question has been around quite awhile. The answer is called an analogy.

Yes, I have shot game with the .45 and .44 Mag Marlins. Both work exceptionally well. The point was that the .45 Colt in a rifle can be loaded to equal a .45-70, what part of that didn't you understand?

Alk,

I don't think he was questioning the effectiveness of the.45. He seems to be asking how hunters like it and about recoil.

I don't believe the 45LC will ever equal the 45/70. At least not with the bullet weights the 45/70 was intended to shoot. ALK you need to lighten up a little. If this discussion ofends you just don't take part in it.

If we are never allowed to repeat a question all discussion will soon cease. JMO. Regards, Byron

I've never owned a marlin in 45 colt. Anyone use one as a hunting gun? Interested in your experience with game.

I've got marlins in 50 alaskan and 45/70 but due to health reasons I need to cut out some recoil. 45 colt is a favorite of mine in a handgun but never used it in a carbine to hunt with. Thanks, Byron

You'll be pleasantly surprised at what your Marlin .45 colt is able to do with appropriate loads. Just don't run overly hot loads rated only for the rifle through your pistol. If you don't handload try taking a look at what Buffalo Bore is loading the .45 colt to as far as bullet weight and velocity. Out of my .45CBC their 325 grain cast bullet has taken deer and hogs, and once it only took one bullet for two pigs!

pastorp
A lot depends on your load used and firearm type.
I have a Win 94 in 45 Colt -with out a pad it's pretty abussive with 300 gr + loads! Also have a Rossi 454 '92 and it's still pretty abussive with heavy 45 Colt loads! Now as far as killing deer on up to Elk /Moose with in the range limitations and your abilities it will take these animals with authority out to 150 yds! And yes it does equal the 45-70 as far a energy. No it can't shoot as heavy of bullets as the 45-70 but in the 300 to 350 gr range they are pretty much equals!

OK guys lets keep it civil.

I've never owned a marlin in 45 colt. Anyone use one as a hunting gun? Interested in your experience with game.

I've got marlins in 50 alaskan and 45/70 but due to health reasons I need to cut out some recoil. 45 colt is a favorite of mine in a handgun but never used it in a carbine to hunt with. Thanks, Byron

I know you may not want to give up your lever guns pastorp, but you might consider a bolt gun with one of the new Knoxx comp recoil absorbing stocks along with a good porting job.

Only reason I'd suggest this is the chance you might run across one of the more toothy critters there and might want or need a little more firepower than the 45 Colt even pushed hard out of a rifle.

Their system with porting can reduce recoil levels a whole bunch.

Hey Guys,

If you recall when Mr. Linebaugh was just beginning work with his five shot revolvers, he sent one in .45 Colt to Ross Seyfried. The ammo loaded a hardcast 345 grain WFN bullet to 1550 fps. Mr. Seyfired used this set up to take several cape buffalo.

Seems you should be able to do a similar job with the M1894.

Lobo in West Virginia