Opinion on 1895 Marlin Trapper in 45-70

[Kyle1886]

I've never owned a lever action arm. What are the pros and cons of the 45-70 Marlin, other than expensive ammo, no place to shoot it, and an old broken body. Call it my last hoorah!

(I guess sometimes some items are better to want versus have).

Anyway opinions appreciated.

Respectfully
Kyle

[waygeekierthanu]

I mean, you can use them to hunt dinosaurs.... I feel like that's enough! They are super fun to shoot, and if you go with the dark edition you can easily add accessories, which I like!

[Kyle1886]

I mean, you can use them to hunt dinosaurs.... I feel like that's enough! They are super fun to shoot, and if you go with the dark edition you can easily add accessories, which I like!

I would need to purchase another freezer; nope, gotta save electricity costs to purchase ammo. ...but super fun is a good thing...

I would imagine recoil similar or slightly more than a M1 Garand considering weight differential?

Thanks,
Kyle

[200Apples]

A trapper-length, 16"-barreled lever action long gun infers a short, light and handy firearm; just the way we like 'em. And you're holding a short rifle that weighs just a tick over 7 lbs if not lighter. What's a Garand weigh? 35 lbs? I jest.

As for being old and boney, there are available over the counter various loadings of .45-70 if ya don't roll yer own.

If you enjoy .44 Magnum from a similar, shoulder-fired firearm, you'll find the "Safe For All Rifles" .45-70 ammo to be gentler on your shoulder than the .44 Mag.

These loads are known as "Trapdoor" loads and are, for example, in the Remington Core-Lokt, a 405-grain semijacketed soft point to 1330 fps from their 24" barrel... but wait! There's more:

This load from my 18.5" Marlin 1895 GS (stainless guide gun, straight-stocked) leaves the muzzle at a very leisurely 1050 fps... but, surprisingly, travels fairly flat to 100 yards (meaning, there's no need to hold over). It is a great round to shoot. Find a few boxes, then with the brass and some dies (and the other requisite components), roll yer own to similar velocities. Great fun.

[Kyle1886]

Thanks Apples. Seven pounds versus 9.5 pounds for the M1, huummmm. Thanks for the info, appreciated. (The M1 was one of my issue along with the M1 carbine and the M3 carbine rifles in the Corps. I served prior to the issuance of the 5.56 rifles).

Kyle

[electrod47]

If you have an old broken body...as you say. You better be a reloader to downsize the whack that is coming your way.

[Imageview]

[M1NM]

Thanks Apples. Seven pounds versus 9.5 pounds nd a the M1, huummmm. Thanks for the info, appreciated. (The M1 was one of my issue along with the M1 carbine and the M3 carbine rifles in the Corps. I served prior to the issuance of the 5.56 rifles).

Kyle

And apparently before the 7.62x51 M14 and WOW a M3 sniper carbine - that must have been a bigger pain to lug around https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/fi...20200924164613 The new Marlins are Rugers = Ruglins. They took Marlin's design and made it cheaper to make. molded metal parts, plywood or plastic stocks, etc. Look for an old Marlin - check on those forums there is a mark the designates the "good ones". I'd also check out Henry. I've had my hands on a couple of them and they seem pretty good.

[Kyle1886]

Thanks for the feedback Imageview. I don't reload and will not at this late date. Our youngest (he's 60) but in St. Croix has a Trapdoor and loves it also. I appreciate all the feedback and education that Calgun members offer.

Thanks again.

Kyle

[Kyle1886]

And apparently before the 7.62x51 M14 and WOW a M3 sniper carbine - that must have been a bigger pain to lug around https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/fi...20200924164613 The new Marlins are Rugers = Ruglins. They took Marlin's design and made it cheaper to make. molded metal parts, plywood or plastic stocks, etc. Look for an old Marlin - check on those forums there is a mark the designates the "good ones". I'd also check out Henry. I've had my hands on a couple of them and they seem pretty good.

Yes the M3 was a big pain in the behind. If it or the battery pack could snag on something it would and did. Not a fun piece of gear especially in jungle like environment. I would rather have carried two BAR's instead than that thing.

I have read that in the past (the Ruglin) hence seeing what the feedback here leads.

Thanks M1NM,
ETA: Your link did not reveal a pic, but no problem, unfortunately I know about the looks/works of the M3 much more than I want to...or at least did back in the early 60's.

Kyle

[FourT6and2]

I have a newer 1895 Trapper in 45-70 and it kicks hard with Hornady 325gr FTX. Like... really hard.

[splithoof]

7F93E0F6-5704-4E9B-BB08-709C68A0BB54.jpg Our RuMar Trapper has been excellent. I added the XS rail from the SBL, QR rings, and the Burris Scout optic. I plan on using on my next boar hunt. I also use a Rhodesian sling. Have considered using a rattle-can for a quick green/olive drab painting, and wash it off after hunting.

[k1dude]

Keep in mind they used to take buffalo with one shot using government loads. All these hifalutin speed demons that knock the snot out of you are unnecessary unless you're taking down a T-Rex.

Hundreds of thousands of buffalo fell to the government 45-70.

[W.R.Buchanan]

The recoil on that gun will be more like a 12 ga. shotgun with high base slugs. If you are old and broken, do yourself a favor and get a Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum. That way you can shoot to your hearts content and enjoy it, and actually be able to afford doing it. You can shoot .357 Magnums or .38 Specials in that gun and have fun shooting, instead of dodging Recoil and Developing a nice Flinch.

If you aren't going to hunt with the gun it is pointless to beat yourself silly shooting at tin cans. I have a Marlin 1895 CB 26" and I added a Graycoil Recoil Reducer to the stock so it weighs 8 lbs now. That is still too light but with my Hand Loads I can shoot 50 in a morning at a Silhouette Event and not hurt myself. My hand loads are 33 gr of 5744 with a Cast 325 gr RCBS .45-300 FNGC and are Running 1550-1600 fps. Recoil is 12 ga. shotgun with Dove Loads. A Trapper will amplify that by 2X. My gun also has a 1 1/4" Pachmayer Trap Recoil Pad on it!

Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of the .45-70 and it is more popular now than it was 150 years ago. But you are Launching 300-400 gr Boolits and the Recoil from "Most " Factory Loaded ammo can be Brutal in a light gun, (.45-70's really need to weigh 9 lbs like 1886's do.) and not only that none of it is cheap so nobody is going to shoot that much of it unless they reload.

Good Luck on your quest.

Randy Para LDA 1640 375.jpg

[RNE228]

I would see if I could try one first. I shoot a 1885CB. It's comfortable to shoot with factory ammo, but I do not have a bum shoulder... Hornady Leverevolution thumps harder. It is a lot of fun ringing steel at 100 and 200 yards (furthest Ive shot it so far)

Saving up brass; haven't started reloading for it yet. Reading up on it, you can load mild to wild depending on the rifle. Plan is to start with some modern rifle loads with some 405gr bullets.