Marlin Dark Series/45-70

[TradLife406]

Bought a used Rugged Obsidian 45 last night for my handguns.

But it's got me thinking about how I don't own a lever gun.

It'd be kind of fun to have to limit myself to about 150-200 yards. Mainly prairie whitetail. Is 200 too far for these bullets to expand?

I like the Dark series. I know it's probably blasphemy in purist circles. But just seems bomb proof. Also I can lock it into a tripod for my kids.

Since you can't exactly use a TMK what kind of bullets are you guys using?

Any reason to go 44 over 45-70?

How bad is suppressed 45-70 recoil with supers?

Any experiences with getting really close with subs?

I'm guessing handloads really opens the capability of the round.

Hanging up the old longbow after a lot of time using it. But still enjoy "real" hunting () a little before the 6 UM comes out.

Thanks guys

 

[RockAndSage]

Bought a used Rugged Obsidian 45 last night for my handguns.

But it's got me thinking about how I don't own a lever gun.

It'd be kind of fun to have to limit myself to about 150-200 yards. Mainly prairie whitetail. Is 200 too far for these bullets to expand?

I like the Dark series. I know it's probably blasphemy in purist circles. But just seems bomb proof. Also I can lock it into a tripod for my kids.

Since you can't exactly use a TMK what kind of bullets are you guys using?

Any reason to go 44 over 45-70?

How bad is suppressed 45-70 recoil with supers?

Any experiences with getting really close with subs?

I'm guessing handloads really opens the capability of the round.

Hanging up the old longbow after a lot of time using it. But still enjoy "real" hunting () a little before the 6 UM comes out.

Thanks guys

If this is strictly for hunting, there'd likely be more utility in the 45-70. It'll shoot flatter, farther, with heavier bullets. There are also a couple of companies manufacturing really long, deep-cavity coppers designed to expand subsonic, and a pretty wide variety of ammo in general.

 

[tony]

Which dark series? When Remington had Marlin, or the Ruger Marlin?

I personally don't care for the Ruger/Marlin Dark series.
The "Remlin" series still retained the traditional looks while adding a threaded barrel, rail, and peep sights.
Factory 300 and 405 grains aren't bad to shoot, I found the recoil to feel less than my .270.
I'm running and original JM guide gun .45/70 with a ported barrel. It will defiantly get your attention!

Marlin 1894 Dark Lever Action Rifle 44 Remington Mag 16.5 Black

The Marlin 1895 is the tried-and-true configuration of the famous 45-70 Gov’t rifle. It features deep-cut Ballard-type rifling, an American black...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[waspocrew]

A 45/70 definitely has some attitude. Fun to shoot, but not my “go to”, although I’ve never shot one suppressed or with a brake.

I recently went with a Marlin 1894 in 357/38 SPL. Tons of fun to shoot. Ended up going with a SiCo Hybrid 46 to use on the off chance I decide to go with a 45/70, 458 Socom, etc.

It’s been years, but I shot this calf elk at about 125 yards with a 325 gr FTX. Seemed to do just fine!

 

[schmidty3]

Id still take a 223 over a 4570

 

[Aussie Dan]

I don't think a 45-70 will do anything more for you than a 30-30 or 44 mag would based on your use case.
Unless of course you want a ridiculous big boomer just for sh!ts and giggles.

Might also consider the henry model x.

 

[Wolfshead]

I would also suggest the 30-30.
I have interest in a 44 mag but don’t have any experience with them.
My model 94 can easily shoot out to 200 with my hand loads, 160 grain FTX with Leverevolution powder.
200 yard target. Bottom shot with bead covering the target, top two shots with bead resting on the top of the target.
The second pic is my rifle and you can see the muzzle velocity on the chronograph

 

[schmidty3]

I would also suggest the 30-30.
I have interest in a 44 mag but don’t have any experience with them.
My model 94 can easily shoot out to 200 with my hand loads, 160 grain FTX with Leverevolution powder.
200 yard target. Bottom shot with bead covering the target, top two shots with bead resting on the top of the target.
The second pic is my rifle and you can see the muzzle velocity on the chronograph

View attachment 1053860View attachment 1053861

Ive shot a couple with a marlin 44 mag and 270 gr speer bullets (I think they are discontinued). It was about like shooting them with a bow. Not much bloodshot. Hit em good and they go 30-50 yards.

 

[EuroOptic]

I've done a lot with 45-70, most of my hunting is in the mountain laurel here in PA - shots inside of 100 if not 50yds. No semi autos here, so levers and pump guns are the big ticket.
I have a 16" trapper that i shoot the 325gr Hornady leverevolution out of, for a lever gun it shoots pretty good
I have an aimpoint acro on it at the moment, but it has had all manners of glass on it.. 1-8 swarovski, 2-10 leupold vx5.. etc
recoil is stout, i put a can on it sometimes for giggles on the 4th of july but never hunt with it attached. with a can its pretty tame, but long and unwieldy

farthest I killed a deer at with it was 175-180 yds on a dead sprint across a field during a drive, the leverevolution's took his legs right from under him. Have taken 13 deer & a mid sized black bear with it as well (300 lbs)

Big lever guns are fun, everybody should hunt with one at least once

 

[vonb]

I have the gamut of levers in the form of .30-30, .357, .44 mag and .45-70. I was always enamored with the SBL in .45-70 until I bought one. It stomps me even with 300 gr loads running around 1900 fps. It’s great for hunting but not my preference for range play. The .44 mag on the other hand is a lighter rig and can be mild or wild (enough). If leaning towards more range play. I’d consider that route. I load the 240 gr bullets down around 1300 fps which makes it fun for both the range and short range deer hunting. Max 240 gr loads get me up around 1800+ fps. 200 gr loads are over 2100 fps.

 

[gbflyer]

I have a 16" Rossi R95 Triple Black 30-30. It's incredibly accurate as long as I hold it as a lever action should be held, and the build quality is excellent. Great trigger. I put a EER scout scope on the rail mount. If I could knock one thing, it would be from a final QC standpoint. It was send out with every fastener loose. That was an easy fix, but really guys? Anyway, it's a ton of fun to shoot suppressed and I have some of the Barnes 190gr bullets for thumping. lol. I've had the 45-70's as well, Ruger and Marlin. Too much of a good thing for me. I have 2 other Rossi lever guns, R92, .357 and 45 Colt. They take a lot of work to smooth out but turn out great. The 45 Colt is my favorite.

 

[KenLee]

I have the gamut of levers in the form of .30-30, .357, .44 mag and .45-70. I was always enamored with the SBL in .45-70 until I bought one. It stomps me even with 300 gr loads running around 1900 fps. It’s great for hunting but not my preference for range play. The .44 mag on the other hand is a lighter rig and can be mild or wild (enough). If leaning towards more range play. I’d consider that route. I load the 240 gr bullets down around 1300 fps which makes it fun for both the range and short range deer hunting. Max 240 gr loads get me up around 1800+ fps. 200 gr loads are over 2100 fps.

GBL with heavier laminated furniture and factory Pachmeyr Decellerator recoil pad with Leverelolution 325 is the answer. It's such a pussycat, I bought a 2nd.

 

[KenLee]

I don't think a 45-70 will do anything more for you than a 30-30 or 44 mag would based on your use case.
Unless of course you want a ridiculous big boomer just for sh!ts and giggles.

Might also consider the henry model x.

30-30 and 44 mag are fine for young kids and small women.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

If this is strictly for hunting, there'd likely be more utility in the 45-70. It'll shoot flatter, farther, with heavier bullets. There are also a couple of companies manufacturing really long, deep-cavity coppers designed to expand subsonic, and a pretty wide variety of ammo in general.

I have never heard anyone use shoot flatter and farther in the same sentence with 45/70.

But I suppose flatter farther are not always 400 yd and minimal drop.

 

[North of 60]

I've got a Henry all weather that is a pleasure (soft push) to shoot with factory ammo and makes blood trails a blind man could follow...loaded hot with AA1680 it will get your attention. I don't think there is anything in North America it won't take at close range (100yds) with the right bullet.

If you handload there are some 250 grain bullets that will shoot reasonably flat (for a 45-70) loaded hot.

Fun rifle and i don't shoot it as much since i got the 16" SFAR.

 

[2Stamp]

Come on, go 10mm.

 

[TradLife406]

Id still take a 223 over a 4570

Haha right. I went full Rokslidtard last year. All I shoot is TMKs going as fast as I can push them.

 

[TradLife406]

So anyone SBR a lever gun? I've got a sbr fetish. I've got three ARs right now.
I see Henry has a Bears Leg with a 13.8" barrel. They made it specifically to forum 1.
With my can it'd be around 20" of barrel or a little over.

I've got the 30 cal cans to go 30-30... But not sure why I like the idea of 45-70. It'd be a good bear gun for summer hiking trips maybe. The cool factor?

Which is funny because in bolt guns I love the 22 and 6's for everything in true Rokslide style

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

So anyone SBR a lever gun? I've got a sbr fetish. I've got three ARs right now.
I see Henry has a Bears Leg with a 13.8" barrel. They made it specifically to forum 1.
With my can it'd be around 20" of barrel or a little over.

I've got the 30 cal cans to go 30-30... But not sure why I like the idea of 45-70. It'd be a good bear gun for summer hiking trips maybe. The cool factor?

Which is funny because in bolt guns I love the 22 and 6's for everything in true Rokslide style

I sbr my 458 socom. The 45/70 is a 16” version. Pretty compact.

 

[schmidty3]

So anyone SBR a lever gun? I've got a sbr fetish. I've got three ARs right now.
I see Henry has a Bears Leg with a 13.8" barrel. They made it specifically to forum 1.
With my can it'd be around 20" of barrel or a little over.

I've got the 30 cal cans to go 30-30... But not sure why I like the idea of 45-70. It'd be a good bear gun for summer hiking trips maybe. The cool factor?

Which is funny because in bolt guns I love the 22 and 6's for everything in true Rokslide style

A short 4570 will hold like 3 shells