Marlin 1895SDT

[SVT28]

My search for a 16 inch lever gun in 45-70 is over.

After doing a lot of research over the last 3 years on lever guns, I've found out that there aren't many quality options for a factory 16 inch lever gun. It just so happens that Marlin had a limited run with Davidson's with two models, both with production numbers at 501. The 1895SDT was the straight grip version, which had a 16.25 inch barrel, Stainless finish, laminate furniture and fiber optic sights. 2008 production, JM stamped barrel.

I've searched for this model or its pistol grip brethren the 1895STP for almost 2 years and one finally showed up locally on backpage. After a bit of negotiation, the seller and I agreed upon $780. It came with upgraded XS Ghost ring sights, and a good bit of ammo.

2 boxes of PMC Silver +p+ 350gn soft points
1 box of Ten-x +p 405gn round nose hard cast
1 box or Garrett 540gn Hammerheads

The ammo looks older so I'm hesistant to shoot it right now. Some of the ammo like the Garrett is supposed to be top tier hunting ammo. I hope its g2g still. I don't think anything with horns could survive a 540 grain bullet at 1550fps.

I shot 5 rounds of factory new Federal this weekend and it shot excellent. I love the sights. The 16 inch barrel will make it an excellent brush gun here in AZ. Does anyone else have the SDT or STP Davidson's limited editions or a love for the 45-70 government?

SVT28

 

[Bigdog357]

Nice score, I would have been on that in a heart beat. Here is my ported 1895G 45/70, great gun and a awesome shooter

 

[SVT28]

Me likey! What kind of glass are you running? Did your rings leverage the taps on top of the receiver?

SVT28

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I have the STP model.

I really like the fiber optic sight setup. It is a well made gun. I do not fire it a lot because it is a beast and way more than what I generally need here in VA but I like it. I bought mine new when they first came out. Nice to see that they are going for more than what I paid for mine.

 

[SVT28]

Charlie, is your barrel stamped JM or is it a Remlin? What kind of ammo do you use when you do shoot it?

I looked for value on these before I purchased and I could not find a single sold ad in the last 2 years on the net and gunbroker turned up nada. I would value these at $1000+, and if they're not there yet, they will soon be in years to come.

 

[Neumann]

For ghost rings, I prefer to use ones made by Skinner. They come as a receiver mount, or replacing the rear blade in the dovetail slot. There's nothing wring with XS sights either. They're just a bit blockier than I prefer.

XS also makes a rail for a Marlin 1895 (round barrel only), which fits between the rear sight dovetail and the receiver, using two of the four threaded holes. I mounted a Leupold "Scout Scope" on the rail, which has a 10" eye clearance. This eliminates the need for a hammer extension, as well as the unpleasant meeting of eye and scope under heavy recoil of the .45-70.

Scout scopes run 2-1/2x to 4x, which is appropriate for the 125 yard or so effective range of the .45-70. You can shoot (much) further, but only with heavy elevation compensation. The drop at 150 yards is about 18".

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Lucky dawg, the 1895SSDT is a hard gun to find.

Marlin has a propensity for making the guns most desired in the least available quantity. Probably took notes from S&W.

 

[blackdeuce]

Cool rifle. The laminate and stainless look nice together.

Congrats on the find.

 

[SVT28]

Neumann, thank you for the feedback. My next move was to get the XS Scout rail as you had mentioned. I was debating putting an optics on it, and was heavily considering a scout scope or a micro red dot (blaspheme I know)

Looks like Leupold/Vortex/Nikon make some good offerings thar I'll need to check out.

What are ya'lls opinion on the ammo?

SVT28

 

[SilentKnight]

You got an awesome deal. I own a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 and it is a shooter. Very pleasant to shoot with 300 grain bullets. Those Hammerheads are incredible. If you shoot one, you might hesitate to shoot a second one. That round is used for the largest and most dangerous animals in Africa and Garrett knows what he is doing. I would like to hear a range report on your experience with them. Congratulations on the excellent find. Enjoy.

 

[hkcavalier]

Neumann, thank you for the feedback. My next move was to get the XS Scout rail as you had mentioned. I was debating putting an optics on it, and was heavily considering a scout scope or a micro red dot (blaspheme I know)

Looks like Leupold/Vortex/Nikon make some good offerings thar I'll need to check out.

What are ya'lls opinion on the ammo?

SVT28

I guess I'm a blasphemer. I find the red dot is great in the woods and the kind of dreary, dark days one usually gets in Western WA during elk season.

I really like that 16". Looks like a great one to thread for a suppressor. 540gr @ 1000fps is no slouch either!

 

[vonn]

Do they come with wheels like other cannons? Very cool thumper!

 

[amazingflapjack]

Don't know your experience, but mine tells me to be prepared for pain with those +P+ and +P rounds. A word to the wise...

 

[hkcavalier]

Don't know your experience, but mine tells me to be prepared for pain with those +P+ and +P rounds. A word to the wise...

A padded cheek rest is a requirement for me, at least at the range, and why take it off when hunting?

 

[Bigdog357]

Me likey! What kind of glass are you running? Did your rings leverage the taps on top of the receiver?

SVT28

The scope is a Leupold VX1 2 x 7 x 33mm, its actually a shotgun scope, works great.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

Mine is JM marked.

Charlie, is your barrel stamped JM or is it a Remlin? What kind of ammo do you use when you do shoot it?

I looked for value on these before I purchased and I could not find a single sold ad in the last 2 years on the net and gunbroker turned up nada. I would value these at $1000+, and if they're not there yet, they will soon be in years to come.

I started out shooting Beartooth bullets pile drivers out of it. These were tough. I have since found a much reduced load using Hornady XTP bullets that I like a lot better. I roll my own. As I recall I was out the door with mine brand new for less than six bills.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

The scope is a Leupold VX1 2 x 7 x 33mm, its actually a shotgun scope, works great.

I recently swapped my ancient Leupold M8 3x scope on an early 1895 to a Leupold 2x7. Had the 2x7 on a rimfire and hated it because of severe parallax problems at lower magnification. On the 1895 the parallax issue is inconsequential for big game.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a Guide Gun from the first year. In 45-70 they are no longer ported, factory ammo is so light recoil that porting is unnecessary. I had shot 45-70 for years, but never factory. A friend at a gun store gave me a broken box of 7, 405 grain Remington soft points. From the ported Guide Gun the recoil was less than factory 44Mag from a '92. From my 26" octagon barrel 1886 it was almost un-feelable!

Most 1895's won't take the 540 grain bullet without opening things up a little (I have the mold and bullets, I just never tried)

My "Save my Butt" ammo is a hard cast 400 flat point with gas check at 2200 feet per second. The porting helps some (only some)! For a test; set up a grapefruit sized target at 50 yards. Load 4 +1 of you hottest ammo. From the offhand position, fire into target as fast as you can. If they all hit; YOU WIN! If they all miss; YOU LOOSE! I use a Sightron 34mm red dot scope, my personal best is 2.5 seconds, all hit in a clover leaf group. In a T-shirt, I shot 2 back to back groups at dad's farm. The bruise took 2 days to surface and a week to go away and went from the base of my neck to my elbow. I used a shooting coat after that!

Ivan

 

[SVT28]

So I'm turning 30 this month so I may have a little more youth still in me, and I didn't find any of the rounds I've shot thus far as being too violent in regards to recoil. Granted, I haven't shot any of the Garrett rounds yet...

I just picked up 4 boxes of 325 grain leverevolution and 2 boxes of Winchester JHP. I'll be shooting some of this ammo tomorrow I've also avoided buying the tools to reload for at least half a decade and I think I'm about to break and get into it. I want to roll my own. I also have overy 10 different calibers, 8 that can be reloaded, in my collection.

What's the cost like to get into reloading nowadays and is it worth it? I shoot a lot. Like A LOT.

SVT28

 

[Peak53]

Now, THERE is your bear gun!