New To Family Marlin 45-70

[Mac5.56]

So my father picked up a 45-70 with a Leopold 2-7 mounted on it. I haven't shot it yet but he loves it.

I think it was purchased more as a defensive rifle (he lives in CT so no more evil black rifles), and I have no issue with using a lever in a defensive roll, they may not be an automatic, but a competent shooter can do a lot with a pistol and a lever gun. I think many of us are in agreement on this subject.

Anyway I am trying to convince him to consider replacing the Leopold with an Aimpoint if he intends to use it defensively and at close range.

What are your thoughts? Are there other reflex optics that may be better for this caliber? Is the caliber to punishing for an electronic optic?

I know very little about this cartridge other then the "holy sh@t I don't want to be on the receiving end" moment I had when I saw both the gun and the cartridges.

Anyway what are your thoughts?

[Army Chief]

I'd ask Mr. Smith, as he not only builds these beasts, but I've seen him with an RMR on one of his own. I just stayed with a Leupold Scout scope, because it offers somewhat greater flexibility, and I honestly can't see myself firing the thing enough to warrant a more optimized approach. If I ever had to take a true defensive shot with the .45-70, I think I'd have to start the engagement with the old parental spanking adage that we all remember so well: "this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you."

AC

[Mac5.56]

I'd ask Mr. Smith, as he not only builds these beasts, but I've seen him with an RMR on one of his own. I just stayed with a Leupold Scout scope, because it offers somewhat greater flexibility, and I honestly can't see myself firing the thing enough to warrant a more optimized approach. If I ever had to take a true defensive shot with the .45-70, I think I'd have to start the engagement with the old parental spanking adage that we all remember so well: "this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you."

AC

Well said AC, well said... I always knew the 45-70 was big but I didn't realize how big until I actually held it in my hand.

This rifle is a beauty, my dad's getting 2 MOA out of it on a bench, which I am reluctant to mess with I just personally shoot so well with a reflex optic and I personally don't have any magnified optics on any of my defensive firearms.

Maybe Mr. Smith will roll in here with his thoughts.

Glad to hear your feeling a tad better AC, I think of you often!

[Mr. Smith]

It is the ability to run a light and an optic at night that makes me use an Aimpoint H1.

Plus, the overall size is great with the H1. if you use it with an offset mount, you can run a light without a lot of trouble.

It's not about how far you can shoot the 45/70 -- it's about how far you can shoot to protect you & yours.

I have guns set up for both long and short range, but the 45/70 lever gun shines at short range with heavy bullets 325 to 405. That is a lot of love to put in one place on a target.

I hope I helped you.

[Army Chief]

Something of an aside here, but I've got two grown sons, and between the three of us, we have two .45-70s and a .30-30 -- all built by Joe/Mr. Smith. I had never seen a serious "prepped" lever gun in my life until I first visited his shop facility in Louisville, and the rest is pretty much history. Great guns.

I am still on the hunt for the right offset light mount, however. The one limiting factor when you rail these guns is that you need to give some thought to what you mount, and how it is mounted. Many conventional light mounts will block the sight line to the irons, and if you do go with a Scout scope, you need to find a light fixture with a very low profile to get everything to play well together. I'm guessing a GearSector mount or something along those lines would be ideal, but I just haven't walked that particular dog all of the way home yet. Will sort it all out soon.

Interestingly, I keep the .45-70 in my line of sight (usually in the family room) more than any other gun I own, just because it is such an interesting and well-sorted-out piece. Joe did a great job building this particular rifle for me from a 70s-vintage base gun (pre-crossbolt safety). I told him that I wanted a big bore lever gun, but in a near-SBR package, and he delivered one of those rare rifles that makes you just sit and giggle to yourself like an idiot whenever you look at it.

Then again, my EDC is a 5" custom 1911 that he also built for me (from an STI, no less), so I admit to an inherent bias. He also keeps some pretty good bourbon in the office, but I digress ...

AC

[montanadave]

AC, you wouldn't have a pic of that lever gun handy, would ya?

[AndyLate]

Marlin 45-70s are awesome.

I have a stainless 1895 guide gun, which is a great package, and a Ruger Number 1 single shot - both in 45-70. The Remchester factory loads are pretty mild and the recoil shows it. You can also shoot loads safely in the Marlin that make my eyes water.

I see the 45-70 as a handloader's cartridge because the ammo is so pricey. On the other hand, between the factory 300/405 gr. jacketed rounds, various lead "cowboy loads, Hornady's leverevolution, and Garrett's +P ammo, you can do it all with factory loaded.

I would be very concerned with penetration in the 45-70 - they won't stop inside a person unless you are using a "collar button" bullet like these http://www.westernbullet.com/ly4gr6.html

In my opinion, the 357 Magnum lever rifles are a far better choice for defensive use. The 357 is right on the heels of a 30-30 when fired from a 16 or 18" barrel, and they have a higher magazine capacity. Recoil is naturally much lighter, of course.

Andy

[RedTeam98]

That Ruger No 1 in 45/70 can be hand loaded to max Vel
The 350gr Speer FN and IMR 4198 are one of favorites.
The Marlin can be loaded to 2000 fps but the Ruger can go 2100 fps with that 350gr seated out a tad and with a slightly heavy charge. Love that 45/70 here in Alaska.

[AndyLate]

That Ruger No 1 in 45/70 can be hand loaded to max Vel
The 350gr Speer FN and IMR 4198 are one of favorites.
The Marlin can be loaded to 2000 fps but the Ruger can go 2100 fps with that 350gr seated out a tad and with a slightly heavy charge. Love that 45/70 here in Alaska.

Yeah, Marlin-level loads are plenty spicy for me in the Ruger.

Andy

[RedTeam98]

Yeah, Marlin-level loads are plenty spicy for me in the Ruger.


Andy

The 350gr Speer FN is a excellent bullet that acts like a bonded bullet in the 45-70. I used it exclusively in my Marlin and Ruger…….,when loading in Marlin I did have to seat it a tad shorter to work in the Marlin action but crimped with Lee Factory Crimp die ……….accuracy was excellent also.