About 2 weeks ago I got a Marlin 45-70 SBL. At first I thought it was going to be a lemon from what I read on here and how rough the action was. It came with a GS barrel on it which is incorrect for the model. I was going to send it in to get it replaced but marlin said they dont pay for shipping for warranty work coming from Alaska so I decided to keep it and live with the wrong barrel I intend on keeping it and it really doesnt bother me. After a tear down and some polishing with the dremel there were several burrs which was causing the rough action a couple hours of polishing and the action is nice and smooth now. I took her out today to get the scope sighted in and I must say I went out with the expectation or being disappointed just from what I have read about this model but it turned out to be just the opposite.
^ The rifle. It has a Redfield 2-7X on top with see through mounts so I can still use the ghost ring iron sights.
It took 4 shots to get the scope zeroed at 50 yards and 2 more shots to get it on at 100. It was calm and 5 above at the range.
^^These shots were @ 100 yards with the scope. The left group is right at .50 the right one is at about 1.56 the wind picked up a bit on the second one but still that is good enough for me will defiantly fit in the kill zone of anything I am hunting.
^^ These two groups were @ 75 with the iron sights. The left group is just a hair over 2 inches and the right one is 1.78 inches which is surprising on the bear target because I didnt have a defiantly spot for point of aim I was guessing on the first one then based my next 2 shots off of the first hole.
Overall I am very happy with the gun. I am not so happy with Marlin or their customer service but all turned out ok. With a dremel tool and some patience you can fix just about anything..

^ The rifle. It has a Redfield 2-7X on top with see through mounts so I can still use the ghost ring iron sights.
It took 4 shots to get the scope zeroed at 50 yards and 2 more shots to get it on at 100. It was calm and 5 above at the range.

^^These shots were @ 100 yards with the scope. The left group is right at .50 the right one is at about 1.56 the wind picked up a bit on the second one but still that is good enough for me will defiantly fit in the kill zone of anything I am hunting.

^^ These two groups were @ 75 with the iron sights. The left group is just a hair over 2 inches and the right one is 1.78 inches which is surprising on the bear target because I didnt have a defiantly spot for point of aim I was guessing on the first one then based my next 2 shots off of the first hole.
Overall I am very happy with the gun. I am not so happy with Marlin or their customer service but all turned out ok. With a dremel tool and some patience you can fix just about anything..