New Ruger/Marlin range reviews?

[sghart]

I can't seem to find very many videos on accuracy testing on the new Marlin lever guns.

I mean real extended shooting sessions with cast bullets, different factory loads, etc.

I can find plenty of long winded videos of guys blathering on and on about their new purchase. But I want to see someone wring it out warts and all.

And yes I did see the video from some gal at Guns.com comparing a Henry and a Marlin in 45-70. She shot one hole groups with both guns at 100 yards. I aint buyin' it.

There are honest reviewers out there. I see new Henry's in 357 mag shooting 3" groups at 50 yards, stuff like that. Are the guns too new? If I had one in my hands I would be at the range every day and then posting photos every night.

[bonesurf]

Hah. My shoulder can’t take “extended” sessions with the SBL. And my eyes aren’t good enough for better than steel at 100. But I’ve tried a variety of loads. Mostly my own loads not factory And at least at 100 everything more or less dings the steel. Past that it’s too variable to give an intelligent answer

[Imageview]

[Kokopelli]

Are the guns too new?

Prety much. Limited availability and expensive guns. Only the 45-70 is currently available. The 336 (In 30-30 and 35 Rem) and the 1894 (Unknown calibers) is listed on Ruger's web site. But they are not currently available.

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/s/leverAction/

[kris smith]

[BigBamBoo]

I would say that most folks with lever guns are usually not mounting optics and group shooting with the 45-70.

I have handled the new Ruger Marlin and the fit and finish on them are very nice.

I think if you had the time....and shoulder....you could work up a load for one that shoots well.

And there it is right? What is "well" or acceptable to you?

I just put together a "modernized" Marlin 336, 30-30. With Hornady Leverovalution ammo I was able to shoot 1", five shot groups at 100 yards off the bench with bi-pod and rear bag. Rig has a 1-6X scope on it.

I am very happy with those results with that rig.

Now...if ANY of my AR's or bolt guns shot those groups I would get rid of them or figure out why they are shooting so bad.

I plan on "building" a 45-70 lever gun using the Ruger Marlin Trapper model.

I will be happy with 1 1/2" - 2" groups at 100 yards with it. And will accept 2 1/2" - 3" groups.

Anything beyond that and I will work to figure out how to improve it.

OP....please let us know if you come across any info on the new rigs.


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[200Apples]

I can find plenty of long winded videos of guys blathering on and on about their new purchase. But I want to see someone wring it out warts and all.

Hah! Hahahaha... ain't that the truth. Folks yammer on and on and on... just get me the FACTS!



The best youtube vid I ever saw was some 18th-Century trapper reenactment type of dude. Didn't say one word. All the vid was was him building his log shelter with one small axe and of him making a tunic from an animal hide. It was elegant.

And yes I did see the video from some gal at Guns.com comparing a Henry and a Marlin in 45-70. She shot one hole groups with both guns at 100 yards. I aint buyin' it.

If that was "Kristen", a pleasantly-plump, well-spoken woman, you can believe it. .45-70 is pretty much always on the money to the short distance of 100 yards...

[200Apples]

Hah. My shoulder can’t take “extended” sessions with the SBL.

405 grain semijacketed flatpoints @ 1050 fps (Remington Core-Lokt "Safe In All Rifles") .45-70, if you can find it, is easier on the shoulder than OTC .44 Magnum from a simliar Marlin but a Model 1894... or look for load data in the "Trapdoor Springfield" range. That'd be +/-400 grain slugs to 1330 fps (Remington advertised specs using their 24" barrel that from my 18.5" Marlin 1895 are travelling out the bore at the 1050 fps noted above - Labradar measured)

[sghart]

You guys all make great points! Thank you!

If I were in the market for a 45-70 I would buy one.

But I am holding back some money for a new 336 and a new 1894.

Thanks again every one.

[splithoof]

I can't seem to find very many videos on accuracy testing on the new Marlin lever guns.

I mean real extended shooting sessions with cast bullets, different factory loads, etc.

I can find plenty of long winded videos of guys blathering on and on about their new purchase. But I want to see someone wring it out warts and all.

[19K]

And yes I did see the video from some gal at Guns.com comparing a Henry and a Marlin in 45-70. She shot one hole groups with both guns at 100 yards. I aint buyin' it.

There are honest reviewers out there. I see new Henry's in 357 mag shooting 3" groups at 50 yards, stuff like that. Are the guns too new? If I had one in my hands I would be at the range every day and then posting photos every night.

One is a rifle cartridge. The other is a pistol cartridge. The rifle cartridge is going to be way more accurate than a pistol cartridge. Sights also play a role too

[200Apples]

One is a rifle cartridge. The other is a pistol cartridge.

That may be, however, consider the bullet shape of each.

.45-70 is just a bigger round-nose flat point, just like a .357 or .44 when loaded commercially and with typical projectiles.

It is interesting that a big 400 grain non-Spitzer (non-pointy bullet) can group so tightly at 100 yards; more closely than one might give that bullet shape credit for.

[19K]

That may be, however, consider the bullet shape of each.

.45-70 is just a bigger round-nose flat point, just like a .357 or .44 when loaded commercially and with typical projectiles.

It is interesting that a big 400 grain non-Spitzer (non-pointy bullet) can group so tightly at 100 yards; more closely than one might give that bullet shape credit for.

In the video OP is referencing she was shooting a LeveRevolution cartridge.

[200Apples]

Ah. I see.

That tipped bullet could be considered a hybrid shape. It's still a short, wide projectile, perhaps little more aerodynamic than the typical slug shape used of most common. 45-70 ammo.

Point being that short, wide, blunt .45-70 projectiles due to whatever other characteristics of the cartridge (very large brass case volume, straight wall) are pretty easy to shoot well. I don't know why that is, I'm only aware of the obvious attributes of the round.

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK I don't know what the expectations for accuracy are for these guns? But "excellent accuracy" would be in the <2" range for any Levergun.

I have seen several of the new 1895 Guide Guns and Trappers. They were all Stainless with Gray Laminate Furniture. The workmanship, fit and finish were excellent and way above anything that has come before. As you know, or should know, I am kind of picky about how my guns run and look. I can't see any room for improvement on these new guns. They will smooth out even more with use. This is as good as it gets and are arguably the best commercially made Leverguns of all time. IE: not custom shop guns.



Now as far as ammo. If you aren't loading your own for this caliber you need to!!!! The .45-70 cartridge was made to reload and you will get the best results from CAST Boolits ! Some of the best ones out there are the RCBS .45-300/405/500 FNGC's. These Boolits are made to function in any Levergun, and the nose end of the boolit is the same on all three and the weight difference is added below the crimp groove. IE: more driving bands. Thus all loaded boolits look the same and feed the same.

I use the 45.300 FNGC almost exclusively. My mold drops at about 325 gr with Wheel Weights. I run 33gr of 5744 for about 1550 fps. This will knock down anything in N/A and is my Short Range Silhouette load. I can shoot 50 of these in a morning and not beat myself up or have any "After Effects".



IF I was going Elk or Bear Hunting I'd probably load some .45-405 FNGC's to about 1600 fps. The recoil for this load would add up pretty quick but since I'd only be shooting a few I could probably survive the Sighting In and subsequent 1 or 2 shots on game.

I see no use for the .45-500FNGC Boolit. You would need to run it at 1300-1400 Fps to gain any significant advantage over the 405 gr boolit, and the subsequent recoil would be Frightening!

For those who don't know the Definitive Article on loading the .45-70 for Modern Guns was in the August 2007 Handloader Magazine (#248) by Brian Pearce. There is so much info in article that I have read it 50 times easily and learn something new every time! Call Wolfe Publishing and they sometimes have back issues or they have Digital Back Issues you can buy and download.

My .44 and .45-70 have never had a Factory Round fired in them. My .02 on this subject.

Randy