The ancient (really old) .45-70 Gov't.......

[ACP230]

I shot a BFR in .45-70 with 300 grain bullets in handloads. Recoil wasn't that bad.

I own a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 with the XS Ghost Ring sights. It's got some recoil but is fun to shoot.
It also has a scout scope mount. I bought a Leupold Scout Scope but want to wring it out with the peep sight before scoping it.

 

[PDL]

I thought I'd posted my 2cents on this one. Got an 1895GBL a few months ago. Most fun gun I've had since they took away my full autos. and my thump gun.

 

[Evil One]

I just bought an 1895 Marlin and took it to the range over the weekend.
Was amazed at how soft it shot with this ammo.
AMM-906 - Ammo .45-70 Government BVAC RFP 405 Grain 1600 fps 20 Round Box
I was grinning the whole time, and I MAY have lost it to my wife.
We have "our" rifles... but it looks like she wants an 1895 in .45-70 as her very own personal rifle.
Her only criticism was that it needed more thump.
I told her to wait till I start loading for it.
My .300 WM is going into the back of the safe... the old Gubmint may get its own pillow in my bed.
Looks like time to start looking for another one.


Jim

 

[PDL]

I just bought an 1895 Marlin and took it to the range over the weekend.
Was amazed at how soft it shot with this ammo.
AMM-906 - Ammo .45-70 Government BVAC RFP 405 Grain 1600 fps 20 Round Box
I was grinning the whole time, and I MAY have lost it to my wife.
We have "our" rifles... but it looks like she wants an 1895 in .45-70 as her very own personal rifle.
Her only criticism was that it needed more thump.
I told her to wait till I start loading for it.
My .300 WM is going into the back of the safe... the old Gubmint may get its own pillow in my bed.
Looks like time to start looking for another one.


Jim

If she wants a bit more thump and you still are shooting factory, try the LeverEvolution 325grs. You'll notice the difference.
Since you're saving brass the LEs have shorter cases.

 

[ladder13]

Too much cartridge for me, I prefer this:

 

[Centenniel]

My current 45-70 Govt. is a Winchester 1886 Extra Light repo that I traded into several years ago. It is a fine hunting rifle.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have several original trapdoors in .45/70. A Model 1879 infantry rifle, a Model 1888 ramrod-bayonet rifle, and this Model 1879 cavalry carbine. This particular carbine is a pretty rare bird. Only 501 carbines were made in 1881, and this is one of them.

John

 

[Sprefix]

Sweet!! "THE" first scout rifle!! Forward mounted sight and shorter barrel.........very cool John!!

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I have 2 45-70's. One is a Italian Sharps like Quigley's & the other a Marlin Guide gun. Both shoot very well. The Guide gun is my Elk rifle for in the dark timber & brush.

 

[Sprefix]

I was digging around in my ammo room and found over 400 rounds of ammo for my .45-70 Gov't. I found some of the thumpers from CorBon--460 grain Hardcast!! Gotta get to the range again....

 

[mc5aw]

Spre ... What a great find! 400 rounds in today's market is quite a chunk of change. Have fun sending those 400 down range!

 

[Sprefix]

The rest of the story mc5aw...,I found 1400 rds of forgotten 9mm also. Actually, I was doing a bit of cleaning and wanted to move a cooler back to the shop, but it was heavy. I opened it and HOLY MOLY!!! 2500 rds of .22, 200 rds of 10mm, 400 rds of .45 Colt, 300 rds of .38 special, and various types of hunting ammo and shotgun shells. I had packed it up to make room for relatives for several weeks last year. Christmas all over again.......

 

[tomtheturner]

I wasn't sure that I would like the 45/70 when I lucked into a deal on a new SS Guide Gun. I has turned out to be my favorite center fire rifle. Since then I have gotten an 1895CB with a 26" octagonal barrel.

I have used the Guide Gun for boar hunting with a Bushnell Holosight mounted on it. It is very fast in the brush with this set up.

Tom

 

[blujax01]

Just got mine. It's a "Remlin" but I could not find one issue with fit/finish/action.

Anyone know when Big Critter Season opens in Ohio?

 

[BearBio]

"Anyone know when Big Critter Season opens in Ohio?"

When they get some?

I'll play:
Sharps Repro

Original 1886, made in 1889 with New Service:

Browning 1886 in 45-90 (Express version of 45-70)

Over the years had several others including a Trapdoor, Marlin 95, etc. BTW, the Sharps repro hits a 500 yard steel pig more often than my scoped 300 mag does, at a friend's ranch!

 

[chief38]

YUP! I've got a Marlin Lever Rifle in .45-70 with an octagon barrel, pistol style grip and a full length magazine (shush). One of their LTD. Editions. I also have one in .38-55 which is the same set-up except it does not have the pistol grip. Both GREAT RIFLES and I feel that between the two there is no Game in my neck of the woods that I could not take with them.

I have learned to re-load for both calibers to make them more shooter friendly when I want to shoot 100 or so rounds in a day. Full house .45-70 are not fun for plinking!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

blujax01 In Ohio, you can shoot wild pigs and coyote (and coy-dogs) all year long.
I have an 1873 Cav. carbine, Dixie's SN list puts it in 1875 (only 5 made that year), I also have a Browning 1886 (from 1987 and the smoothest lever gun I've cycled) and a modern Winchester 86 in 45-90 takedown (from 2005, worst/roughest lever action I ever cycled), a Shiloh Sharps that I run BP only, and an older Marlin Guide Gun with the ported barrel. I have my Marlin set up something like a scout carbine, with a Sightron red dot. I use a hot 400 gr. hard cast over 3031(load out of Lyman #45). A few years back I sighted it in at 50 yards. I put a 6" bull pistol target up at 50 yds, and ran 5 as fast as I could to see if I could keep them in the bull. Yep about 3.5". Dad walks over a says he would like to see that again, so I did! I was only wearing a tee shirt, I had tears running down my right cheek and 2 or 3 days later one of those big green/yellow bruises on my shoulder. But the gun will do the close kill if I need it to. Ivan

 

[wbraswell]

I used to have a Ruger #3, and now have a #1. I have loaded all kinds of stuff. A .457 lead ball with some Unique under it, makes a great big bore BB gun.

 

[deadin]

Here's my only 45/70... (and it's an original..)

 

[Janitor]

Yet another thread with a bunch of nice weapons in it, and one I'm going to have to spend more time in later.

My Guide gun with its brass peep site, all dressed up in its leather.

And the other side of the butt stock cover

 

[Wyo]

One of my all time most-favorite cartridges! I've used it in Marlins, Winchesters, trapdoors and Sharps. I've used the old government 500 gr. bullet, cast paper-patched bullets, light bullets, heavy bullets, jacketed bullets and round balls; black powder, smokeless powder and duplex loads. Killed everything from cottontail rabbits and carp up to 6-point bull elk and just about everything in between with it, not to mention rocks, dirt clods and steel silhouettes. That cartridge is a stone killer and I never felt like I was giving up anything when I used it in preference to a modern rifle. I hope it lasts another 125 years!

 

[mkk41]

Yep , I love my big boomers too!

And reloading for them makes 'em even more fun! The Trapdoor gets lots of attention at the range using blackpowder and 500gr bullets cast from straight wheelweights and the Marlin get smokeless powder and a very hard cast 350gr.

Somebody did a really poor cold blue on the Marlin. I'm actually thinking about doing it over in Birchwood Casey's Plum Brown.

 

[InfantryWeaponsOfficer]

Any one else in love with the old standby as much as me.....? I am the most happy with my Browning Saddle Ring Carbine with the ladder sight. I like being able to shoot loafer-loads like the 405 gr. at @ 1150 fps or stepping up to a 460 gr. hardcast at 1900 fps. I really enjoy the buffalo bore 430 gr. LFN at @ 1925 fps. It is really satisfying to be a mediocre shot and shoot off-hand at 300 yds and hit a 2' x 3' piece of steel. I believe that is better than minute-of-moose. I passed on a (Farmdale?) Sharps in 45-110 that I regret, but I'm a fan of the afore mentioned Gov't round. If you are interested in the .45-70 also, show what you got......I'll post a pic or two of mine after @*&%(WORK) Wednesday.

Finally got a few pics posted..........

Once upon a time, I owned a Browning High Wall in 45-70. I traded it for a Model 600 Remington in .350 Rem Mag. I wish I'd kept the High Wall and paid cash for the Remington.

 

[Iggy]

Here's my only 45/70... (and it's an original..)

Holy Carp!!! Can I be in your will? It's even got a Beech front sight....
That's beautimus!!

That's what I was reaching for when I built this one

Sure wish we had a jealousy smiley.. It would be highly appropriate right now.