Howdy momentum,

I've got the 1895G in 45/70 and the 444P both short 18.5" ported barrels. I don't have any issue with the recoil, shoot at the range every weekend. I'm also looking to pick up a 1895M in 450.

Pick up the gun, you'll love it with factory ammo. In mine I shoot factory for now, Winchester, Remington, Hornady and others and never have an issue with the recoil. The guide gun packaging with recoil pad does the job.

 

Get ear plugs and shoot the over-the-counter "govt" loads.

Enjoy the best lever action around.

 

If this reply shows up twice, forgive me, the first one seems to be headed into the ether.

I own a Marlin 1895 with a 22 inch barrel. The blast is not bad if you wear the proper ear protection. With the shorter barrel of the Guide Gun it would probably be greater because of the shorter barrel, but should be OK with ear protection.

I don't shoot much factory ammo, but I have shot Winchester 300 gr. factory loads, and the recoil is about the same as a 12 guage trap load. Some specialty ammo (dinosaur loads) are something else.

If you get the gun, work up tolerance slowly. Try 5 shots, then go to a 22 rim fire. Next time at the range, do this again, gradually working up. 22 ammo is cheap and fun, and great recoil medicine. Be careful if you bench rest the gun, any gun will kick more due to you being braced and won't give. Don't try to shoot too much with the gun at first if you experience flinching, and work up.

 

Thanks for the answers guys!
I'm thinking with regular old school 45/70 ammo it shouldn't be a problem.
Gotta love those cartridges...like giant revolver rounds LOL. Got a chill down my spine handling those...

 

I have a 1895 Guide in 45-70 and recoil isn't an issue. I shoot 300 gr bullets at 2200 fps and 405 gr bullets at 1840 fps. The recoil is more like a shove. My rifle is also ported but the noise isn't a problem, ear muffs at the range work just fine.

If you can shoot a 30-06, you will do just fine with the 45-70.

JD338

 

Not a problem with factory ammo. A little rough off the bench if shooting all day, but no problem in "field" conditions. Factory recoil pad does the job. Overall not much more than typical 300winmag.

 

I don't shoot anything but Remington 405 grain factory loads or equivelent handloads. I don't like the 300 grain factory loads.

 

I agree with with all, the 405 gr factory loads will do anything and are mild, need a little faster you can try the 300gr Rem jhp or Winchester or the Leverevolution by Hornady
Enjoy!!

 

.45-70 recoil from factory ammo is for ***** cats.....you'll have lots of fun over and over!!

 

Comparison of how fast each rifle slams into your shoulder. Simple analysis, from conservation of momentum -

45-70, 7.5 lb rifle: 405gr x 1300fps / (7.5lb x 7000gr/lb) = 10.0 fps

300 Win. mag., 8 lb rifle: 180gr x 3000fps / (8lb x 7000gr/lb) = 9.6 fps

Recoil is about the same as a 300 Win. mag. with 180gr bullets using 405gr factory loads in the Guide Gun (stock fit and recoil pad effectiveness are also factors). ;D

 

Some QuickLoad data that may shed some light on the muzzle blast difference between 18.5" and 22".

This QuickLoad data is for my load (courtesy of my friend Shane) ...which is 50 grains of H322 and a 405 grain cast bullet.


18.5" Guide Gun psi at the muzzle = 5,052 psi
22" plain ole 1895 psi at the muzzle = 4,126 psi

900 psi....that means there IS a difference in the muzzle blast, and a noticeable one. Of course, that number will vary depending on powder burn rate and charge weight.

Recoil....with factory ammo (SAAMI spec), the 45-70 is a ***** cat.

With hot 405 grain loads...it is a Sabre Toothed Tiger on steroids.

 

the round is a lot more intimidating looking than it is. your factory remington 300gr or 405 gr along with winchester kicks about the same as a 270 winchester. Any of the ultramax or other cowboy ammo will feel like about like a 243 or 22 centerfire.
the garett + p, buffalo bore, grizzly, or hornady lever evolution will have a definate step up in recoil.

 

I shoot nothing but black out of my 1895 and it recoils like a pussycat, but if your use'n those modern 45-70's a Pachmyre recoil pad should cure any problems.

 

Geez I shoot my 45-70 one handed.

I cant do that with either one of my 06s.

I shoot semi hot rounds, and they dont come any where close to a win mag.
I can do 1-3 shots with a win mag, and my arm is toast.
I can shoot the 45-70 all day long, or till Im out of ammo, which ever comes first.

Those lever guns have to have less recoil than my wee Handi

 

The non 45/70 shooters I bump into at my local range have this common perception. The 45/70 kicks like a mule and is inaccurate over 100 yards. Its always entertaining to tear the bullseye out of a target at 200 yds...that frequently gets their attention. "What load is that?" "How sore is your shoulder?" "I thought those things were just brush cannons" on an on.
Ive offered to let these folks shoot my rifle but most of them shy away from it, convinced that I'm somehow baiting them into a purple shoulder. The other 45/70 folks that I bump into at the range...well almost all of em shoot with a big ole grin on their face... I believe its just the dang fun you have with this caliber. That perceptions are that its a ass whuppin gun...well thats just icing on the cake. : )

 

The guide gun ain't that bad but the cowboy deserves a bit more respect

 

I don’t like recoil much, but I always wanted a guide gun. I finally bought one and by the time I got to the range I expected to be beaten black and blue. After a few rounds I was just enjoying myself! I load some fairly stout loads with 405 grs bullets and I still don’t find the recoil abusive. Recoil is more like a push than a sharp kick. I prefer the recoil of the .45-70 guide gun to that of a lightweight .30-06.

The only thing that bothers me is that my long arms and the fairly short stock make “thumb to nose contact” an issue. The forward swivel stud also tends to bite my finger if I’m not careful.

 

I think it really depends on the load and the gun. My 1885 with it's steel buttplate and some firebreather loads will get your attention.

 

Momentum---I bought a box of Garrett 540 grain Hammerhead ammo, and I've shot several rounds. Tested with 19 inches of wood blocks, and it destroyed all blocks, and disappeared into the ground. As several have said --more a shove than a quick slap. I've no doubt that these rounds from Randy Garrett can take anything that walks the earth as long as range and accuracy are used in the equation. A car engine block would be no problem. This is a poor man's "big five" hunting rifle. See Garrett's website about Vince Lupo's African hunting. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

The smaller the rifle, the more the recoil.

I prefer the 45-70 over the 06 recoil also.

My 06 stings like a bee, the 45-70 is a not even a thump

 

I shoot Buffalo Bore 350 JFN and I don't think it is that much of a kick. Like others have said it is more of a push than a sharp kick. I also have a limb saver on it as well. I am 60 and have no problem shooting my 45/70 XLR. It is a blast to shoot.

 

I shoot several 45-70s Ruger #1 ,#3 ,Sharps, GG and last but not least my first generation 1985. All are a joy to shoot, the #3 light weight and with the cresent butt plate will get your attention quickley if you make a mistake. But if you fire it properly it will rotate up not a backwards push.

 

For your first time out, skip the bench and shoot from the standing position. The recoil is simply not bad at all.

When you get comfortable with the gun and realize that you can handle it, go to the bench and sight it in. And then never go to the bench again. The GG is meant for action so practice real-worl hunting scenario's.

Also, I have found that a leather wrap on the lever avoids any physical "bite" from the rifle.

Lastly, I have found perceived recoil directly propotional to muzzle blast. When I use earplugs along with ear muffs, I don't feel the recoil at all!