Marlin 45-70 Scout

[Snapping Twig]

Finally complete.

Started last November with an order for the stainless version, the SBL. Unavailable here in California, so I switched to the blued version 2 months back, the GBL. Those were scarce, but available and IMO, they look better.

Once in hand, I ordered the XS lever rail system with ghost ring sights like the SBL has and installed it.

Then I searched for a proper scope and came to the conclusion that if I wanted to keep the ghost ring sight on the rifle, I'd need a scout scope and quick release mounts. I found them at Optics Planet.

Here it is with the Leupold FX II 2.5x28.

Now I can either use the ghost ring or the scope as I choose depending on the mood or circumstance.

Scout rifle to be certain. Even Jeff Cooper, the man that developed the concept, believed a lever was up to the task. I know I do.

I can not wait to take this out to the field and touch a hog with it. If the bullets are properly sized, and mine should be at .459, these rifles are said to be bolt gun accurate. I'll be casting 350g and 425g RNFP from custom moulds I found at CastBoolits.

 

[scorvers]

The hammer extension is on the mounted on the wrong side. HURRY!!!!! Fix it!!!

 

[Snapping Twig]

For you maybe.

 

[keith44spl]

That's Just Kool

Now, right there is a rig to 'Ride The River' with for sure.

 

[BUFF]

If you have never used a Scout Scope, you have a treat waiting for you. It is fast and great on things that need to be shot before they disappear! That will be a great hog gun.

 

[PDL]

I've got to admire your choice in rifles. Just happen to have one here next to me. I think the brown laminate of the GBL looks a whole lot better.

I put a red dot on mine - works fine for my old eyes. I'm not shooting more than 100 yds or so anyway.

The gun is accurate as all get out. Clover leaf groups regularly.
I've used Remington factory jacketed 405grs and the Hornady LE 325grs, accurate with both.

My reloads have so far been with the same Remington JSP 405gr bullets over Reloader 7. Got some 405gr hard cast ordered for the next batch of reloads. Also some new powder - H322 and Trail Boss, not to mention 2400 and Unique for some interesting variety.

Gotta wonder why you've put the hammer extension on at all with the scout scope setup.

 

[NE450No2]

Once upon a time I had a full sized Marlin, and my brother has the Guide Gun, both were 45/70's.

Myt marlin shot good, but...
His guide gun shoots like a Sniper rifle. Most always 3 shots will touch at 100 yards.

The load, Hornady 350gr bullet and 53gr of IMR 3031.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Not only did I put the spur on when it wasn't needed, as I right hander I put it on the "wrong" side.

Truth be told, it's a great convenience and one of those marvelous ideas that once you try them you're hooked.

I can work the spur with my thumb and control it 100% whereas when I tried it on the "correct" side, it was more than akward.

I'm going to work with 231 and Unique for those light loads @ 1100fps and 4198 for the heavy hitters.

Check out this site for low power, fast powder data.

Lever Gun Performance Studies

 

[A10]

I have a guide gun, it's my TRex hunting rifle. I've shot quite a few of the Buffalo Bore 500's and 460's and wouldn't be afraid of anything on earth with that in my hands. My favorite, though, is the CorBon Flat Point Penetrator 400 grain, soft shooting and will go through anything around here. I've shot it at 100 and 200 yards at paper on the range and it is surprisingly close to MOA. I've shot steel gongs out to 400 yards with 405 Remington loads and made them ring, though I wouldn't think of shooting at an animal at that range with this levergun. 2 to 7 leupold VX II on top of it with Weaver QD's.

 

[whitecoyote]

Excellent rifle.
I've killed a couple of Bears with mine, using Garrett Cartridges.
You would swear they were hit by lightening!
Garrett Cartridges Online

 

[PRC74]

Did the rifle come standard with the large lever or was that an aftermarket?
Looks great.

 

[PDL]

The 1895GBL comes stock with that large loop lever. So does the stainless model, I just don't remember the model #.

 

[venomballistics]

please tell me you intend to replace that tacticool looking chunk of aluminum rail with a more sensible steel mount

 

[Snapping Twig]

The 1895GBL comes stock with that large loop lever. So does the stainless model, I just don't remember the model #.

Stainless model is the SBL. It comes with a grey/black laminate stock.

There's also a wood stock stainless version called the STBL.

Auction Arms comissioned a version of mine called the ABL with the blue steel and a grey/black laminate stock.

 

[Snapping Twig]

please tell me you intend to replace that tacticool looking chunk of aluminum rail with a more sensible steel mount

LOL.

When you buy yours, you can set it up any way you like.

 

[venomballistics]

LOL.

When you buy yours, you can set it up any way you like.

like split weavers in steel.
you might find my objections to Aluminum mounts to be contagious if you use that rifle good and plenty.
I wont do Al if I have a choice ... it seems to self loosen till it fails.
keep that in mind if and when your rifle starts acting up on you in the future.

 

[Snapping Twig]

like split weavers in steel.
you might find my objections to Aluminum mounts to be contagious if you use that rifle good and plenty.
I wont do Al if I have a choice ... it seems to self loosen till it fails.
keep that in mind if and when your rifle starts acting up on you in the future.

We shall see what the future holds. This is the rail designed for this rifle by XS, provided OEM on the SBL (stainless version) and while it's a new product, there are no objections or complaints from the Marlin Owners group - so far.

Three points of contact, properly thought out retention at each and a quality aluminum used in construction. Will the aluminum withstand the recoil over time? Can't see the future, but I believe it can and at the end of the day, I'm giving it a whirl. If it proves to be inferior, I can imagine someone at XS making it out of steel to address the issue and I'll move to the new product.

Now, as to the look...

I like it, but not everything is for everybody and XS and others make a scout mount that's forward and shorter overall to be used with a seperate ghost ring sight. Didn't like the look or the limitation - but that's me. I've always liked the ability to mount a traditional scope or a scout and this rail allows that - not that I plan on it, but you never know.

I like it and that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[venomballistics]

well ... I have NO problem with titanium ... Im sure there's a machinist up to the task if aluminum fails you.
I can tell you that a 44 magnum can throw off an aluminum mount in 100 - 300 full house rounds.
45-70 is clearly the bigger hammer