45-70 opinions?

[David]

I had been leaning towards the 30-30 as I have a thing for lever actions but if it turns out the 45-70 is everything I hear it is, I'll likely change my mind.

There are all sorts of lever-actions available in 45-70, so you don't have to compromise.

[mnguy19]

Well, I think I'm going to keep it between the 45-70 and the 30-30. Ideally, I'll own both at some point. I'm thinking a Winchester 94 for 30-30 and a Marlin 1895 for the 45-70. Not much I couldn't do with both.

[rugersol]

Well, I think I'm going to keep it between the 45-70 and the 30-30. Ideally, I'll own both at some point. I'm thinking a Winchester 94 for 30-30 and a Marlin 1895 for the 45-70. Not much I couldn't do with both.

FWIW, I'd reverse those ... IMO, the Winchester 1886 is much more better than the Marlin 1895 (not to be confused with a Winchester 1895) ... AND, the Marlin 336 .30-30 is much more better than the Winchester '94!

That said, I do have a post-64 Winchester 1894 .30-30 I'd sell ya fer $300 ... it's purdy nice, considering!

[David]

I'm thinking a Winchester 94 for 30-30 and a Marlin 1895 for the 45-70. Not much I couldn't do with both.

Excellent choices! Both are outstanding rifles. I don't have the Winchester, but my 1895 Marlin is one of my "handiest" carbines.

[mnguy19]

Well, I think I'm going to keep it between the 45-70 and the 30-30. Ideally, I'll own both at some point. I'm thinking a Winchester 94 for 30-30 and a Marlin 1895 for the 45-70. Not much I couldn't do with both.

FWIW, I'd reverse those ... IMO, the Winchester 1886 is much more better than the Marlin 1895 (not to be confused with a Winchester 1895) ... AND, the Marlin 336 .30-30 is much more better than the Winchester '94!

That said, I do have a post-64 Winchester 1894 .30-30 I'd sell ya fer $300 ... it's purdy nice, considering!

I just may take you up on that sir. I'll need a bit of time to scrape together some cash though, I'm trying to sell my Ithaca XL900 12 gauge at the moment for 200. 300 for an 1894 is a great price.

[Fat Buffalo]

I purchased a .44 from Rugersol, wouldn't hesitate to do business with him!

[cobb]

Maybe a bit of a twist, but I have a couple Marlin levers and a couple Winchester 94 levers. I much prefer the Marlins for hunting, they seem to be quieter, the Winchester actions just rattle too much for me. I have taken a few deer with my Marlin 1895 45-70, really like that cartridge and personally do not care for the .450 Marlin. If you hand-load, I think the 45-70 brass is easier to find and in the correct rifle a hand-loader can make the 45-70 do whatever the 450 can.

[SSBotanyBay]

I have been doing a bit or research as well so this thread has helped quite a bit. Thanks.

As of right now I am pretty much sold on a falling-block action. Anybody have any complaints with the Ruger No.1 in 45-70?

[Molasses]

I have been doing a bit or research as well so this thread has helped quite a bit. Thanks.

As of right now I am pretty much sold on a falling-block action. Anybody have any complaints with the Ruger No.1 in 45-70?

No complaints about the strength of the Ruger #1 action; the very hottest .45-70 loads in the reloading manual are often intended for it, by name.
Just one anecdotal thing, which is that a friend of mine bought one a number of years ago (out of the WalMart at the Coon Rapids/Anoka border, which hasn't sold guns in how long?) and reported that it kicked the dogsnot out of him with even the wimpy factory loads. Probably just a matter of the stock dimensions not matching up to his proportions in some manner that exagerated the recoil effect, but figured it was worth mention. The same guy was using a .338 mag. for all his hunting not too long ago, so I don't think it was a matter of his being a wuss about getting kicked.
OTOH over a quarter century ago, I had a .45-70 Ruger #3, which looked like the bastard offspring of a #1 and a 10/22 carbine. Liked it a lot, as it was short, handy and accurate, but my usual stupid self got distracted by some flashy thing or other and traded it off many moons ago. I recall it had a healthy kick with 300gr JHP factory loads, but nothing to be afraid of or even that noteworthy in comparison with other cartridges found in lightweight rifles.