[No.343]

I'll start with just two questions.
A few years ago when I saw the release of the 1895G I thought that it would be a great little gun to have. I found an add for an used one and bought it for my '09 Christmas present. For about a year I didn't know anyone with a 45-70. I recently met a fellow USPSA shooter who has an 1895 and we swapped a few e-mails talking about them. We got together and shot our rifles after yesterday's USPSA match. I had a great time. The funniest thing about the outing is that my friend insisted that these rifles with XS sights can only be 50 yard hunting rifles. He changed his mind when my little gun was nailing the 10 inch plate at the 100 yard line off hand with one shot after the other. So, I ask you folks with lots of experience can you consider a 1895G chambered in 45-70 a 100 yard gun? The only problem I have with this gun is the comb height. I made myself a pad with two layers of an old, thick mouse pad and a piece of leather. It fits just right with my home made contraption. Do the stocks with the pistol grip have a higher comb?

BTW many thanks to all of you. I've searched the forum for answers to my questions and it encourages me to find out that I haven't made any new mistakes yet.

 

[GreenMachine]

I would have to say as far as yardage goes depends on your eye sight and what kind of sights you have on the rifle.

Another item is your load. This will also determine how far the bullet will drop at what range. And the only way to find that out is to shoot it at say 50 yards and out to how far you would like to use it.

For hunting I would say 150 yards is a good distance to shoot for as far as bullet drop.

You can help with bullet drop by using a lighter bullet such as a 35OGr instead of the heavier designs.

Sorry I can not help on the cheek rise.

 

[heavybullets]

Hi
The 1895G has been used by responsible hunters well beyond 100 yrds. The limitation is not with the rifle but rather the cartridge. Open sights even the XS system limits precise shot placement at long ranges because of the typical bullet drop (even with hand loaded ammo). When your hitting paper it really doesn't matter if your 12 inches low, but with an animal it makes the difference between a clean kill and a possible lost animal. If you put a scope on that 1895G you may be surprised at the accuracy potential if you do your part. Although I don't recommend long shots at game there are hunters that have taken game cleanly at 300 yrds with the 45-70 with proper shot placement. With the proper loads and shooter that little rifle is a great choice for hunting and just shooting for fun. Mount your scope as low as possible and you should be able to keep you cheek on the stock
Good luck, enjoy the rifle and cartridge

 

[M700]

Welcome! This is a great place to learn about your .45/70 Marlin - which is a mighty fine hunting rifle.

Yes, the stock has a lot of drop and a low comb... It may take some time to become accustomed to it if you're used to a higher comb stock from a bolt action rifle. I didn't notice the standard 1895 having a higher comb, but I did like that stock better than the straight grip of the Guide Gun. You can make the swap if desired, but try the standard for fit first.

The rifle has accuracy and power to be useful well beyond 100 yards. Whether you can use it at longer ranges or not is the question - and one only you can answer after some trips to the range. I never was comfortable with the idea of a shot beyond 200 yards from my .45/70 Marlins - with a modest 2.5x Leupold scope. Some guys are happy to shoot farther than that, it's just a bit tough doping the long-range trajectory of these big blunt-nose bullets that shed velocity so rapidly.

Enjoy shooting that beast! Folks here have had a LOT of success with the little/big guns. Check out Mad Dog's adventures in Africa... Great stuff there!

Guy

 

[No.343]

I was a little perplexed about my friends opinion and his self imposed range limit while hunting. I guess he's being a responsible hunter and staying within his limitations. I'm glad to hear that there are at least a few who feel differently about that. I am very curious to hear about other member's opinions about the comb height. I am used to having a cheek weld with other rifles, but with the XS sights and the stock on this rifle I have a chin weld.

 

[mogwai]

I was a little perplexed about my friends opinion and his self imposed range limit while hunting. I guess he's being a responsible hunter and staying within his limitations. I'm glad to hear that there are at least a few who feel differently about that. I am very curious to hear about other member's opinions about the comb height. I am used to having a cheek weld with other rifles, but with the XS sights and the stock on this rifle I have a chin weld.

I use one of these on my outfitter to raise comb height.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=15487/Product/SCOPE_EZE#

There are leather padded versions, too. One of the forum sponsors makes them, and you can get another at Cabelas.

 

[Eli Chaps]

Welcome and congrats on a fine little carbine.

MO Member Theleatherman makes some nice comb covers for these guns.

Here's his 95G with one:

And a link to his website: http://www.accu-riser.com/categories/Accu%252dRiser-Cheek-Pads-and-Comb-Raisers/

 

[Tazman1602]

It's not out of a 45-70 but out of a .450 Marlin at 45-70 velocities --- my 1895 45-70 will shoot the same groups with cast all____________day__________long. Seems to be OK for me.

Art

 

[findrichard]

I am no expert shooter but I don't have any trouble shooting Hornady LE bullets into a 8" circle at 200 yards and my guide gun is equipped with xs ghost ring sights.

 

[JD338]

My 1895G 45-70 wears a Leupold VX-3 1.75-6x32mm scope and is sighted in at 100 yds with the Nosler 300 gr BST at 2050 fps. I have shot this load at 300 yds with amazing accuracy but I would limit my shots to 200 yds.

JD338

 

[woodsman416]

Tazman, Nice shooting! How many yards was that target?

 

[No.343]

Thanks for the tips. Looks like I have answers to my questions. I wish I hadn't seen that rail at the end of the magazine in the picture Eli posted. Now I "need" one.

 

[Bigjakes12]

Have to agree. Eli, that is one sweet rifle! I'm an XLR owner, so I'll ask...is that the factory finish or did you have it redone?


Keith

 

[Eli Chaps]

Have to agree. Eli, that is one sweet rifle! I'm an XLR owner, so I'll ask...is that the factory finish or did you have it redone?


Keith

Not my gun buddy, it belongs to Theleatherman but I can safely say it is not a factory finish. I believe it is Parkerized.

 

[Virginian]

Same as findrichard I have good luck with LE bullets from Hornady. They shoot MOA out of my scoped 1895 45/70 and at 3" high at 100 yrds. they hit about 4" low at 200 yrds.
Bill