I recently picked up a marlin 1895 45-70. haven't fired it yet, hope to take it out on some hogs this summer and try a deer with it this fall. I know lots of folks hunt with them, certainly a capable round. I plan to keep it iron sight: anyone hunt with a set-up like this? what loads do you shoot? what has your accuracy been like?

I take mine out quite a bit when pushin through the thick stuff for pigs. I still have just the original iron sights and use Hornady LEVERevolution 325 gr.

Without a doubt one of my favorite guns. At a hundred yards I keep about a 4-5 inch grouping. I'm comfortable with that for pigs, but for deer I dont think I would be confident to make a humane shot more than 70 yds or so.

Great gun, awesome caliber, I dont think you will be disappointed.

45-70 works

110 yds, factory 405gr, in on left front & out just ahead of right hindquarter. Took a step & fell over. I'm not "iron sights" though.....Old eyes use a 2 X 7 X 32.

Oh yeah.......45-70 is just fun to shoot too!

This is where the fun is in a 45-70.

http://www.shilohrifle.com/

i know its for sure capable. I appreciate the responses.

how is it on recoil? I imagine it has a certain amount of kick to it, its a big bullet...I've heard some say it'll really kick your teeth out and some say its not much different than shooting a .270 or .3006?

I've got a couple boxes of federal 300 or 350grn soft points. figured the little lighter slug might go a little easier on the kick. I'm not afraid of the recoil....but I don't see any reason to shoot something heavier than whats really necessary.

I've heard the standard Remington 405grn loads are pretty straight forward. after I've emptied these brass I will probably hand-load it. not sure with what though.

We used to shoot the original 405 grain remmy loads in a 336 and they were pretty mild

I've heard the buffalo bore and the Cor-Bon loads are pretty stout and recoil is too

I love hunting with my 45-70. I suggest a peep sight. I have a Williams WGRS336 on this one, and I have a Skinner sight on my '92. I am much more accurate with the peep. Recoil with factory loads is not bad at all, however, the Marlin is a very strong action, and can be loaded really hot. Some of the manuals list loads that will run all the way up to 2400 FPS. I worked up a load that according to the manuals, is running around 2200 FPS. Offhand, it is not too bad at all. Sit down at a bench and get a really good anchor, and it can be downright punishing. I have buddies that have shot it, and very few ask to shoot it a second time.

I call her "the big stick". The only gun that I have ever given a name.

Not bad if you shoot it in a heavy gun like those in the link.

interesting thought on the peep sight. I will start with the factory iron, but then depending on how that goes.......I haven't had a peep sight in a long time, but I do like them. I think it is a more precise iron sight than a traditional ramp and blade.

did you install the peep sight yourself? or you had to go to a gun smith for it?

Both the Skinner peep and williams peep install in the factory drilled scope mount holes. All you need is the proper size screwdriver. The Plug to fill the old factory blade sight did require some fitting with a small triangle file and brass punch. It's not too hard to do, but if you don't have the tools, you might want to go to a smith for that. He might be cheaper than buying the punch set and file. You can however use the peep without removing the old sight.

I was able to use my existing front post with the Williams sight, but I have heard others have had to get a taller post. That is something you should be aware of.

An interesting article on peep sights.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/the-envelope-please-my-best-rifle-sight-award-goes-to/

I have used mine for deer (325 gr lever revolution) but it will do some major damage....it sits in my safe waiting for a grizzly bear hunt.

I haven't noticed any overt recoil, but I'm a pretty big boy (6'6" 240) and my 1895 is a standard length barrel! To me the 405gr is just a loud boom and a big push.

mine is the "cowboy" styled rifle. full octagon barrel, etc. I noticed that it looked like the rear part of the peep would mount to the pre-drilled scope rail holes. my front blade though doesn't appear to have any screws holding it. it might be more permanently affixed and would need to go to a gun-smith if I were to change it.

I have a black-powder .54cal hawken reproduction that I lob 435grn bullets out of. 435grn bullet on top of 100grn black powder. I'm envisioning the recoil being comparable. but I don't know, I have yet to see. its been a busy week so far, I still have had a chance to fire the new 45-70.

Your front blade is probably a dovetail. Only way to tell if you will need to get a taller front blade is to install the peep and shoot it.
Being the octagon barrel, it will be a much heavier gun, and will help negate recoil.

Your front blade is probably a dovetail. Only way to tell if you will need to get a taller front blade is to install the peep and shoot it.
Being the octagon barrel, it will be a much heavier gun, and will help negate recoil.

I really like the Lyman sights. They come two peeps. Large and small. Fully adjustable with audible clicks.

Check them out. They can be had a little cheaper than in the link but are still pricy.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/sights/66-receiver-peep.php

I have the same gun in 450 Marlin and let me tell you.......the LEVERevoloution loads will flatten a whitetail in its tracks. Shot an ole slick head at about 120 yards with mine, quartering to, and it simply leveled her. Looked like you dropped an anvil on her! The deer literally was slid back 4-5 feet from where she stood when I shot. As far as recoil it's fairly stiff. Not a gun you'd want to plink with that's for sure.

Here are some hogs I took with my 45-70 [img][/img]

Is the barrell cut down on that?

The Remington 405 gr work great in mine.

yep back to 16" and ported

Save the scope for another rifle. I've had great luck with the Lever-Revolution rounds too.