45/70

[model 70]

what barrel length takes full advantage of this round?

is the marlin guide gun a good choice for a "long range" (100-200yards) gun?

[Skyline]

Personally I do not like the balance on the guide gun and if it was me I would get the regular 1895 with the longer barrel.

I have handled both plenty. Just my .2 cents worth and I know many will disagree.

[popplecop]

The Guide model will take deer out to 200 yds, with the right loads. I personally like a 22" barrel on the 45-70s, I have one 3ith a 30" barrel, 22"s is as short as I would one. My older 1895 45-70 has a 22" barrel is a very nice gun to carry and a excellent shooter.

[kutenay]

I have had three .45-70s, the first a Ruger No.1 with 22" bbl. and my current two are a '70's vintage Marlin 1895 and a Browning repro 1886 SRC, both with 22" tubes. I also do not care for the stubby Guide Guns and prefer the 22" length over anything else; these are customized Grizzly defence rifles and balance is as crucial as portability.

I use Ashley ghost ring sights on my Browning with a SAF 400 gr. over 54-H-322 in WW brass with CCI 250s, a load that boots you a bit harder than my .375 H&H. I also use this load or an equal amount of H-4198 with hardcast 400 gr. FPs from B.C.'s "Bullet Barn", also a "serious" load.

I am waiting for one of the new XS rails with integral ghost ring rear sight for my Marlin and am experimenting with 400 gr. Kodiaks for my close range brush load for Moose, Elk and so forth. This rifle will not take the loads that the other will, but, indications of superior accuracy are there and it is a real joy to pack around, another good bearbuster.

[Adirondacks]

I like the NEF handi rifle in 45/70.
It's short and "Handi". I would
guess that it has a 21 or 22 inch barrel
but since it's single shot and doesn't
have any action the rifle is very compact.

[pipedreams]

I've used a Guide gun for moose and bear quite a lot in Alaska...using buffalo bore loads it's flat out to 100 yards.....about 2" low at 150 and 4" at 200...............but it will still knock em down hard with NO problems.

I would probably have gotten the 1895 for it's longer barrel performance, but I was looking for a heavy cover shorter weapon at the time.

["yote"]

I have the 26" octagon bbl on my 1895 Cowboy. 2400 fps is easy
with a 300 gr HP and a case full of 4198. Use all of the bbl that you can get.