New Ohio Deer Gun Marlin 1895 45-70 vs Ruger American Gen 2 350 Legend

[colegeiser51]

I sold my 450 bushmaster ar15 that I have used to deer hunt since it was legalized in Ohio. I am stuck on whether I should get my first Lever action with the Marlin 1895 45-70 or I should get a Ruger American Gen 2 350 Legend. I have a .46 caliber suppressor so I am planning on getting something with a threaded muzzle to deer hunt suppressed. I hand load so I will not be purchasing ammunition.

Pro's of 350 Legend
350 Legend rifles are cheaper
Better ballistics
Cheaper to reload

Pro's of Marlin 1895 45-70 Lever
More energy
I imagine the Marlin 1895 rifle would hold its value better than a Ruger American Gen 2 350 legend

 

[OMB]

I've been shooting an 1895 in 45-70 since they became legal in Iowa, have killed probably 15-20 deer in that span with it.

Pros:
-It's a really cool cartridge
-It's a really cool gun
-It shoots a huge bullet
-Stuff generally dies right there with proper bullet placement

Cons:
-Recoil is awful
-Manual of arms is less than intuitive, especially if you don't delete the crossbar safety or add a hammer spur with scoped rifle
-Ammo is expensive
-Gun is heavy
-Did I mention the recoil?

I've seen enough guns from people that I hunt with in 350L to know that it's the better option, whether a bolt gun or AR pattern. I'll keep toting the 45-70 because I have it, I know it, and it works, but every year I get closer and closer to just buying a solid 350L upper for one of my AR's or a beater Ruger American and being done with it.

 

[Boarmaster]

Prior to the release of the 350 I used a Marlin 444. I should disclose I am not a huge fan of lever actions and have hunted most of my life with scoped bolt guns and prefer them. My Marlin was fun to shoot , killed deer and was not that great carry into the woods. When they launched the 350s I bought a Winchester XPR bolt gun. Put a VX3. 2.5-8x36 on it. I am finally happy in straightwall country. Much happier with my 350 than my Marlin. I’m been killing deer at 175-190 yards every year since I got. I am sure many can , but I doubt I would be comfortable out 200 yards with my lever gun.

It’s a pleasure to carry. Very accurate for a budget rifle. My other deer rifles I use in AL are much more expensive. But I am quite happy with my 350. If I was buying now I would go with the Tikka. I bought the winchester as it was the closest I could find to my other rifles without magazines sticking out the bottom or weird stocks.

I would pick the 350 Legend again over any of the straightwalls for deer out 200 yards. Easy on the shoulder. Really what I had been wanting for my annual Ohio hunt for the last 30 years.

 

[rayporter]

marlin

i grew up with hammer guns and find it very intuitive.

the first time i fired mine at a deer 8 legs went in the air!

 

[BLJ]

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-lite-compact-350-legend-16-1-16-bbl-rifle-jrtxe313c

If you’re looking at a 350L this may be worth considering for the price.

 

[Eship]

I used a 350 legend in an AR last year and got a buck with it. It ran 30 yards and was down. My wife got her first deer with the same rifle with a heart shot at 120yds. It’s super easy to shoot, especially when suppressed. I have an omega 36m on it and it’s nice and maneuverable with a 16” barrel. Ammo was also only 60cpr and it shoots 1.-2moa so I can’t complain. So my vote is for the 350 legend.

 

[keystone112]

I don’t know if a threaded muzzle is an option, but have you considered the 360 Buckhammer from Henry?

 

[Eship]

I've been shooting an 1895 in 45-70 since they became legal in Iowa, have killed probably 15-20 deer in that span with it.

Pros:
-It's a really cool cartridge
-It's a really cool gun
-It shoots a huge bullet
-Stuff generally dies right there with proper bullet placement

Cons:
-Recoil is awful
-Manual of arms is less than intuitive, especially if you don't delete the crossbar safety or add a hammer spur with scoped rifle
-Ammo is expensive
-Gun is heavy
-Did I mention the recoil?

I've seen enough guns from people that I hunt with in 350L to know that it's the better option, whether a bolt gun or AR pattern. I'll keep toting the 45-70 because I have it, I know it, and it works, but every year I get closer and closer to just buying a solid 350L upper for one of my AR's or a beater Ruger American and being done with it.

I just built a 350 legend upper for a lower I already had and it costed me around $300 and there were no transfer fees or any hassle.

 

[KenLee]

I've been shooting an 1895 in 45-70 since they became legal in Iowa, have killed probably 15-20 deer in that span with it.

Pros:
-It's a really cool cartridge
-It's a really cool gun
-It shoots a huge bullet
-Stuff generally dies right there with proper bullet placement

Cons:
-Recoil is awful
-Manual of arms is less than intuitive, especially if you don't delete the crossbar safety or add a hammer spur with scoped rifle
-Ammo is expensive
-Gun is heavy
-Did I mention the recoil?

I've seen enough guns from people that I hunt with in 350L to know that it's the better option, whether a bolt gun or AR pattern. I'll keep toting the 45-70 because I have it, I know it, and it works, but every year I get closer and closer to just buying a solid 350L upper for one of my AR's or a beater Ruger American and being done with it.

I have two 1885 gbl 45-70. A little beefier laminated furniture and factory Pachmeyr recoil pad. Shooting Superformance ftx factory ammo, they are pussycats. Felt recoil less than a 7 lb bare 300wm.
I'd choose one every day over basically a 30-30 (350L)

 

[KenLee]

https://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3x-lite-compact-350-legend-16-1-16-bbl-rifle-jrtxe313c

If you’re looking at a 350L this may be worth considering for the price.

They were $499 for months until about 2 weeks ago

 

[colegeiser51]

I don’t know if a threaded muzzle is an option, but have you considered the 360 Buckhammer from Henry?

I did consider it but there isnt a lot of reloading component support. I dont buy any factory ammo.

 

[lil' bear]

I'd say split the difference and get a henry in 360 buckhammer. The cartridge is the same profile as the 45-70 but it shoots .358 cal bullets. 160-220gr bullet options. Moving 22-2600fps. I'm very happy with how well mine has performed.

 

[xsn10s]

I'm biased since I've had a Marlin Century Limited III since 1990. With that said one of my customers bought a Gen 1 Ruger in 350 Legend and took a buck with it last year. He swears by it. I'd say get the one that turns your crank more.

 

[KenLee]

I'd say split the difference and get a henry in 360 buckhammer. The cartridge is the same profile as the 45-70 but it shoots .358 cal bullets. 160-220gr bullet options. Moving 22-2600fps. I'm very happy with how well mine has performed. View attachment 904631

My eyes, oh my god my eyes

 

[Gseith]

I love lever actions and hunt with a 444 that’s was my father’s. But my oldest hunts with a 350 legend and has killed a bunch of deer. One shot each and they all went down. He always takes his time and puts it in the right spot.
Saying all that. I would buy a 350 legend. They are light and the recoil isn’t bad. It’s like shooting a 30-30.
I have a few 45-70 and they are all collecting dust, and will stay there until I decide to sell them.

 

[keystone112]

Do you want new advancement, 350 Legend.

Do you like legendary performance (and heavy recoil), 45-70.

Your decision.

 

[peaches]

Get that Tikka in 350l and have it threaded by ADCO or a CVA Cascade or Scout.

The Ruger American feeds like crap and the 45/70 in a lever gun gun is a miserable shooting experience unless you are a sado masochist.

 

[Kyguy]

Talking cartridges, the .350 will do what you need done, and do it well, with a minimum of fuss. Ammo selection has exploded in the last few years, and you can find whatever style bullet you want from the boutique ammo companies, or you can just use the "normal" factory ammo companies.

The platform though..... the Ruger American rifles can and will shoot, but they are my absolute LAST choice unless they are the ONLY option available. I just don't care for them, after having a few in .223 and 7.62x39.

I bought a Winchester XPR Compact in .350 with 20" barrel earlier this year (I might hunt Ohio) and I will say that it's the most underrated rifle on the market. Mine will shoot just about everything under an inch, and it's produced enough one hole 3 shot groups to keep things interesting. I do wish the trigger would adjust down lower, around 3.5lbs is as low as mine will go, but it is the glass rod on the break, no creep or overtravel. I like it well enough that it'll probably be my primary deer rifle this year if I'm in places with max 200 yd shots (even in KY), even though I've got a custom .308 hunting rifle.

I don't know that I'd personally pick a Tikka over the XPR (gasp! I know RS is Tikka worship central) unless they were the same price. I don't like ultra short barrels on any rifle, so that would also come into play.

My order of preference:

Winchester XPR/Tikka
Savage 110
Remington 783
Savage Axis
Any other available bolt action in .350
Ruger American (I just don't like them, and I honestly thought I would LOVE them when they came out on the market).
I'd stop rifle hunting before using another CVA product (bad experience with warranty) so the Cascade isn't an option for me in any caliber.

The 45/70 is undoubtably a killer (on both ends) but unless you've just got a hankering for the Marlin or any other lever action, it's really over kill. It'll be interesting to see how the .360 Buckhammer progresses. I don't think it will EVER catch up the .350 Legend in popularity or accessibility.

 

[KenLee]

Talking cartridges, the .350 will do what you need done, and do it well, with a minimum of fuss. Ammo selection has exploded in the last few years, and you can find whatever style bullet you want from the boutique ammo companies, or you can just use the "normal" factory ammo companies.

The platform though..... the Ruger American rifles can and will shoot, but they are my absolute LAST choice unless they are the ONLY option available. I just don't care for them, after having a few in .223 and 7.62x39.

I bought a Winchester XPR Compact in .350 with 20" barrel earlier this year (I might hunt Ohio) and I will say that it's the most underrated rifle on the market. Mine will shoot just about everything under an inch, and it's produced enough one hole 3 shot groups to keep things interesting. I do wish the trigger would adjust down lower, around 3.5lbs is as low as mine will go, but it is the glass rod on the break, no creep or overtravel. I like it well enough that it'll probably be my primary deer rifle this year if I'm in places with max 200 yd shots (even in KY), even though I've got a custom .308 hunting rifle.

I don't know that I'd personally pick a Tikka over the XPR (gasp! I know RS is Tikka worship central) unless they were the same price. I don't like ultra short barrels on any rifle, so that would also come into play.

My order of preference:

Winchester XPR/Tikka
Savage 110
Remington 783
Savage Axis
Any other available bolt action in .350
Ruger American (I just don't like them, and I honestly thought I would LOVE them when they came out on the market).
I'd stop rifle hunting before using another CVA product (bad experience with warranty) so the Cascade isn't an option for me in any caliber.

The 45/70 is undoubtably a killer (on both ends) but unless you've just got a hankering for the Marlin or any other lever action, it's really over kill. It'll be interesting to see how the .360 Buckhammer progresses. I don't think it will EVER catch up the .350 Legend in popularity or accessibility.

Good Lord, the right 45-70 is a pussycat. Don't give up on effectiveness for basically a 30-30 punk rifle.
1895 gbl is the answer. Heavier factory laminate furniture and factory Pachmeyr recoil pad. 350L is a decent kids and small lady's rifle.

 

[KenLee]

Do you want new advancement, 350 Legend.

Do you like legendary performance (and heavy recoil), 45-70.

Your decision.

New advancement? Its basically 30-30 performance sold to suckers in straight wall jurisdictions.