Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase. You will love your SBL. I do mine.

 

Remember, eye relief is your friend with optics!. I miss my SBL, traded it away in a moment of stupidity

 

Im undecided on optics! My initial thoughts are red dot only. Im not sure I want to scope it.

 

Congratulations on a great purchase....

And, welcome to the forum from the great state of Tennessee 👍

 

welcome from upstate ny.

 

Welcome to the forum from Western Tennessee!
Congratulations on your new rifle! I'm sure you will enjoy it!
Are you a reloader? Save your brass whether you are or not! If not, then "someday" you probably will become one!

 

I do a little shotgun reloading but so far that's it. I will save the brass though. Good idea.

 

Welcome aboard from down south Alabama lets see some gun photos?

 

Welcome to the forum from Mo. Looking forward to a range report.

 

Welcome from Midcoast Maine! Cant wait to see few pics.

 

G'day from Australia - the land down under.

Congrats on your purchase.

 

Welcome from the marshes of south Louisiana.

 

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a true marlin sanctuary state. An excellent choice for a first one to buy. But beware, once you start down the rabbit hole…🤣🤣🤣

 

Welcome from South Florida!

 

Welcome from Texas! That's a great way to start your Marlin life.

 

Welcome to MO from the banks of the mighty Mississippi! Great rifle to start with!

 

Hey Wardogg -- welcome to MO and greetings from Ohio. As we say here on MO: "Pics or it didn't happen." So, we'd all love to see a pic of your recent acquisition. You'll love the .45-70; they're a hoot to shoot. I've had my Classic Model 1895 since 2015. Since that time I've probably killed 16 or so deer with it.

 

Hello from South Carolina and welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome and congrats from the foothills of NE Georgia

 

Welcome to Marlin Owners from NE Indiana.
And welcome to the wonderful world of the 45-70 Govt. The only Government you need in your life.

 

I have the GBL version, and absolutely love it. Congrats on your purchase.

Yours may be different, but... mine shoots the factory LEVER ammo incredibly well. I have yet to hunt with that ammo but that particular bullet type in my .338 kills moose very effectively, so I am of the opinion it would do well on elk at reasonable distances.

I did scope mine, first with a Sig Sauer Whiskey (I liked it a lot and it did well) and more recently with a Burris.

If you ever handload, it is all you will ever need for almost anything. I have killed a number of African animals to include two Cape buffalo, both one shot kills.

My own opinion is the generous recoil pads they attach to them are more than ample; mine is pleasant to shoot irrespective of the load, and my diminutive youngest daughter can shoot it accurately.

Best of wishes! Have fun with the new toy.

 

Welcome to M.O. from Pennsylvania!!
Congratulation On your new SBL!!

 

Welcome from the hills of Arkansas. Your world has changed for the better.

 

Welcome aboard from DE. Pic's and a range report when you can.

 

Welcome to the forum from North Idaho.