BigGameHoundsmen.com

just seeing what everyone thinks about this rifle. I own Marlins 30/30. Does it have that much more kick than the 30/30 or .44?
Living in the southwest Im wondering if it is just going to be overkill for bear,lion... I know the 30/30 takes care of business down here but was looking at the .45-70 in stainless steel with American black walnut stock ..Im a sucker for guns

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/marlin/marlin1895GS.asp

Robb

You must be huntin some big bear and lions...I shoot an old 30-30 and it lays the smack down pretty good.

I own a Marlin 30/30 and yes it will do the job

It kicks more than a 30-30 but its not real bad. The biggest drawback I see is the price of ammo. Your lucky if you can find it for thirty bucks a box. The magazine also only holds four rounds. I have one but like my 30-30 better for hunting with dogs. 45-70 is overkill on Lions but bear I'd say its fine, just pick which one you like.

Dogger wrote:You must be huntin some big bear and lions...I shoot an old 30-30 and it lays the smack down pretty good.

same here 175grain bullet puts them to sleep fast but a buddy has one he says its the bear gun of this time i shot it and boy it cracks and kicks ill stick to my cracked stocked stratched up marlin 30/30

I have the 45-70 guide gun in stainless and I love it. To me it doesn't kick any more than a model 94 30-30, but I shoot light loads(mostly cast bullets) For bear with dogs there is no need for heavy loads. Sure the trajectory with a 405 grain bullet idling along at 1400fps looks similar to the trajectory of a rock if you throw it. But you shouldn't be shooting at a bear far enough away to worry about bullet drop. I can buy factory ammo here for around 20 bucks a box, but I load my own for about 1/4 that. I like my 45-70 and wouldn't trade it for any gun I've ever had ahold of, but there is nothing wrong with a 30-30 or 32 Special, they'll do the job just fine. If you prefer older blued guns I would look at a 32, a 375 Big-Bore or a 30-30. If you like stainless I would go with the Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70. They also make it in 450 Marlin, but the factory loads are hotter and cost more than a 45-70, and if you want hot loads you can handload 45-70 loads to perform identically, also its easier to find 45-70 ammo in out of the way places.

I just got one the other day, the gun I was planning ion using for cats before this was my grandpa's pre-64 32 special but I kinda dont want to beat it up. now that I have this I think I will be ok, got it for 250 it was barley used but with that big bullet you dont have to worry about any deflecting off of branches .
Josh

I have one. Its the guide gun with a ported barrell. It don`t kick any more than my 7400 30-06. I`ve shot a few deer with the 45-70 and did a good job. I was handloading 300 gr JSP. With JHP I pretty sure they would have done lots more damage!!! Its one of my favorivte guns.

I just bought a marlin guide gun in 45-70 a few weeks ago havent shot it yet.Will let ya no

Does anyone use hand guns for bear? Is a lever gun the way to go? I was also looking at a 45-70. I think it would be a great bear round.

I've got the guide gun also but in the 444 and it kicks a little less than the 45-70 but they both do a good job on bear.

Lot of hog hunters use the 45-70 Texas]

Well boys you talked me into it. I went out and got me the guide gun in the stainless. Sure is a pretty little gun. Don't know how it shoots yet but I will let you know next week end when I get back home.
It should have some knock down power and that will be good cuz I am going to be able to shoot alot of bear this spring and summer, I should be able to give you a pretty good report on this gun next fall.

Paco,you will not be disappointed.If you want to get the most out of it look into Garrett Cartridges they are absolutely devastateing on any and all North American big game.

Where do you get the Garrett Cartridges? I haven't seen them before.Thanks