Which 45/70?

2436 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by John Y Cannuck, Dec 27, 2002

coug2wolfs

Discussion Starter · Dec 15, 2002

Which 45/70?

Grant

I've taken a shine to that long barreled Cowboy model myownself :lol:

The short Guide gun is meant for the thick stuff whereas you gotta go in an dig em out. Though it's accurate, you'll find that the longer barreled jobbies hold steadier for offhand shooting.

To me anyways, my like or dislike for a particular gun comes down to how it carries in the woods, and how it comes up when the action gets going.

Take the new BLRs for example. It's not bad, I've certainly toted worse. But after a few hours in the low carry my hands get cramped up, even when I keep swapping from right to left. The reason I keep going with the BLR is that no matter how many hours I'm in the woods, when I pull up the rifle it's almost weightless! It holds steady, and if there is a slicker operating lever gun, why I just don't know about it.

And it's FAST! In fact so fast to cycle that once you warm up to it, the speed it goes, why you'll bend the shells in half when you go back to the Marlin or Winchester guns

Lot to consider, leastways as far as I'm concerned.....

Coug

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targetshootr

· #2 · Dec 16, 2002

Which 45/70?

i swapped my guide gun for a 26"cb and couldnt be happier. due to the balance, it feels lighter and of course looks much nicer.

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dclark

· #3 · Dec 17, 2002

Which 45/70?

When I was faced with that same decision I came face-to-face with a new Winchester 1886 (made in Japan), tang safety and all, that just fit the bill for me. I had to buy it - and did! I am not sorry for that one.

It was more expensive than the Marlin, but, Oh! What a rifle! I had 1/2" added to the buttstock (in the form of a recoil pad) to make it feel better for me. Shoots well with loads that are beyond anything I will ever need. Rem. 405 at 1,800 fps and decent groups at 100 yds with the Williams receiver sight. One elk to its credit, so far. The 22" barrel allows me to hunt the thick stuff without a thought as to length. All is not perfect, however. It got me interested in other 1886's and 71's. Now I own 4, where I used to own only 1. It is a class act, and worth the extra money over the Marlin.

dclark

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86er

· #4 · Dec 17, 2002

Which 45/70?

I have always been a fan of the '86. I own a bunch of 'em in several calibers, and like to shoot and hunt with them all. The action's extremely strong, even the oldest ones will take moderate smokeless loads. The steel in the later guns is, in my belief, just as good as the new Mirokus. The nickle steel and Winchester proof steel barrels were made for smokeless, high velocity loadings. I just wish that the new ones didn't have the rediculous rebounding hammer and tang safety. That's what happens when too many lawyers get involved. How in the world did we all survive the old pre-safety guns? Better jump off the soapbox, I guess. Howza fella make them smiley things work,anyhow?

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Loozinit

· #5 · Dec 17, 2002

Which 45/70?

I have both the WIn 1886 (Miroku) and the Marlin. The latter I use for deer around here and the Win I use only for plinking at the range. There is a huge difference in handling when comparing the two: The Winchester requires three-men-and-a-boy to haul both you and the gun out of the woods by the end of a hunting day. The marlin is a great carry. The Win is every bit as accurate as it is beautiful - this is the takedown model with deep cresent/pistol grip butt - 26 inch barrel. It weighs a full 10lbs. It's a joy to shoot from the bench or off-hand. The Marlin can be brutal depending on what you feed it because it's light. But, it's built for carry and is plenty accurate for dispatching any deer or elk under 200 yards. Actually, my personal experience is only on deer and all have been under 100 yards. They go nowhere and suffer little. I have to add that I find this true with my lowly Win Model 94 in .30 WCF as well - drops 'em real quick with good expansion and weight retention.
Coug2wolf is dead-on about barrel length being a function of off-hand steadiness. Greatly reduces the wiggle factor. As a blackpowder shooter primarily, I appreciate barrel weight as the asset it is rather than dead weight as so many "modernists" do. I've never bought into that market much. The game just isn't far enough away to justify a scoped unit with no heft or feel. Besides, I don't like the way I have to keep shifting my carry hand on those rigs. So, they end up left at home. I think you should buy both. Remember, the Win comes in a "light" version that isn't quite as pretty as mine - it's more workmanlike (but then, there's the Marlin for alot less money). It has a half tube with a shorter round barrel and a shotgun style stock.

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butlerford45

· #6 · Dec 21, 2002

Which 45/70?

Older Browning 1886's can still be found in a carbine version, If memory serves me correctly, 22 inch round barrel with full length magazine. Should fit right between the two.

Butler (what-prefers-1886-rifle) Ford

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John Y Cannuck

· #7 · Dec 27, 2002

Which 45/70?

If you hunt from a stand, the wieght doesn't matter at all. If you walk, then that's another matter.
My old '86 custom gun wears a 28" Douglas full octagon bbl. Heavy? you bet. But I can fire loads accurately that most guys wouldn't try, unless they have a Ruger single shot, and the recoil is nothing to worry about, unless you fire prone.
Another consideration is scope mounting. The original '86 will only take a side mount. (top eject)
But IMO a scope on one of these guns is sacriledge.

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