Marlin 1895 cowboy in 45-70 gov.

[gottafish]

Have any of you shot one of these? Likes dislikes? sons been after me to get him one for Christmas / Birthday. He really likes the octigon barrel and the long heavy weight to this rifle. he want to hunt with it Can you say 17 lb rifle LOL anyway Id like to hear from you guys that have one. Cheers RB

[billc_sbio]

Well I DON'T have that exact same rifle.

But I DO have a Browning (Winchester replica) 1886 Rifle in .45-70 that I've shot in Cowboy Action Shooting Long Range Rifle competitions...and

I have a friend who has virtually the SAME rifle you describe in .444 Marlin.

That rifle (the .444 Marlin) is one of the most PUNISHING rifle's I've ever shot.

Mine, the 1886 "Winchester" with it's authentic Crescent Buttplate is pretty punishing also, using "moderate" handloads with 405g cast RNFP bullets.

And...the 1886 is HEAVY to boot. (That's good for shooting, not so good for carrying! )

[gottafish]

Thanks, Thats what I told the knot head son of mine but he's got this vision in his head of shooting animals with that rifle. LOL I need to keep him out of sportsmen wharehouse. LOL

[PIR8 Hook]

I can agree completely with Billy. I have a buddy with a .444 that is BRUTAL.

[BigWaterBigFish]

I absolutely love that gun - BUT - when I was thinking of moving to Alaska, I was told that if I was going to be serious about Moose hunting (close in) and having a good bear gun, that 45-70 rifle would be it - most shots are made close in and you need to break bone more than penatrate through & through. So I borrowed an aquintance's Marlin Guide Gun 45-70 and put five rounds through it ... Good News ... very accurate ... at 25 yard, I knocked down a birch tree that was probably 6" thick ... and other than than the time I was nine and had the idea that if I held Dad's 30-60 with elk loads 3 to 4 inches away from my shoulder it wouldn't hurt as bad when I pulled the trigger, I don't think I have ever had a rifle beat the living stuffing out of me like those five rounds.
I didn't move to Alaska, didn't buy the gun and now when I cycle through my ammo and shoot my hottest loads through my M77, I have to laugh, doesn't feel like a thing.

[bait dunker]

I just bought a Thompson Encore in 45-70. Ive been shooting factory remington 405 gr flat points. My friend and I both agree it kicks slightly harder than a 30-30, but far less than a 30-06. we each put 20 rounds through it saturday and shoulder feels fine! the crescent butt plate inthe 1886 rifles will flat kick your butt. i think a decent recoil pad of any type, such is on the marlin should be fine.

[OuterLimits]

I had the opportunity to shoot a buddies' antique Winchester level chambered for the 45-70 and it was a mighty sharp recoil even though it leaves the barrel slow..it hurt!!

[bigjake_888]

Buy the kid what he wants!

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by bigjake_888

Buy the kid what he wants!

Let him kick his OWN Butt!

[gottafish]

Originally Posted by billc_sbio

Let him kick his OWN Butt!

Yep, He's 16 and 6'2" about 195lb and invincable Seams I remember not to long ago I was in the same boat LOL. He wants to pay for it so i'll help him out a bit

[dla]

Originally Posted by BigWaterBigFish

I absolutely love that gun - BUT - when I was thinking of moving to Alaska, I was told that if I was going to be serious about Moose hunting (close in) and having a good bear gun, that 45-70 rifle would be it - most shots are made close in and you need to break bone more than penatrate through & through. So I borrowed an aquintance's Marlin Guide Gun 45-70 and put five rounds through it ... Good News ... very accurate ... at 25 yard, I knocked down a birch tree that was probably 6" thick ... and other than than the time I was nine and had the idea that if I held Dad's 30-60 with elk loads 3 to 4 inches away from my shoulder it wouldn't hurt as bad when I pulled the trigger, I don't think I have ever had a rifle beat the living stuffing out of me like those five rounds.
I didn't move to Alaska, didn't buy the gun and now when I cycle through my ammo and shoot my hottest loads through my M77, I have to laugh, doesn't feel like a thing.

Yes that little Guide Gun will give you a good whopping if you don't mount it correctly. But it sure is fun to make big holes in things

I have a friend who shoots a scoped 7mm Mag. He decides he wants to shoot my guide gun. 2 shots and he says a bad word and hands it back. He didn't mount it right, (had it against his bicept) and got a very sore arm. 405gr @1800fps - not a hot load.

The Cowboy is heavier and better balanced. Many people prefer carrying the Cowboy because of balance in the hand. The extra weight helps with the recoil. However, that longer barrel allows higher velocity.

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by gottafish

Yep, He's 16 and 6'2" about 195lb and invincable Seams I remember not to long ago I was in the same boat LOL. He wants to pay for it so i'll help him out a bit

He'd like a lightweight Sharps JUST as well!