45/70 vs 30-30 underlever

[Tregullon]

I know a few , and I mean a few , people who hunt with original 86s , two in 45/70 and one 45/90 . All of them load to well below mid range levels . The rifles are all over 100 years after all , and the original , and slightly above ( 1600 fps with a 405 gr bullet ) will reliably take any game in north america . That being said , 86's that were made to use smokeless powder , early versions weren't , are more than strong enough to handle pressures generated by mid range loads . As others have pointed out , I would go with a modern repro , Miroku being my pick , if I were going to use an 86 for regular hunting . In reality , I would pick up a Marlin 1895 . It's easy to mount a scope and far easier to clean . If you intend to stick with iron sights , the 86 is a better choice ................ and one of the slickest operating rifles ever made .

AB

Any views on the Henry?

 

[alberta boy]

Any views on the Henry?

The Henry built 45/70s are very nice rifles . I've never seen one that didn't shoot well . They have amazing after sales service as well . I've owned a couple , but not in 45/70 . One of the guys that I hunt with has a colour case hardened , side gate model in 45/70 . It is a very good looking rifle . He gets around one MOA with most loads at 100 yards using a Leupold 1.5 to 4 variable . If you can find one in the UK , I'd take it in a heart beat .

AB

 

[Andy RV]

My criticism of the Henry is the external barrel finish prior to bluing, it’s rough and shows!.. at least on one that I’ve handled numerous times. It is very slick though.

The Japanese Winchesters are beautiful manufactured and their 1886 is a thing of beauty, I’m not sure what their scope mounting options are if that’s the route you intend to go?

The first Ruger manufactured Marlins should be starting to appear now, saying that my ‘remlin’ is very made but it did need the sharp edges knocking off the internals and especially the loading gate. They are drilled and tapped with a wide range of sight mounting options, I’ve got a skinner peep sight.

 

[KimE]

I had a hunting mate who owned a 45-90 1886 original for moose hunting it work well, he used 45-70 ammo in it, he sold then he found out it were worth to much money to run around in the forest and abuse it. All I know about his reloading Is I wouldn`t shoot anything he had his hands on it was probably full house loads.

 

[Tregullon]

My criticism of the Henry is the external barrel finish prior to bluing, it’s rough and shows!.. at least on one that I’ve handled numerous times. It is very slick though.

The Japanese Winchesters are beautiful manufactured and their 1886 is a thing of beauty, I’m not sure what their scope mounting options are if that’s the route you intend to go?

The first Ruger manufactured Marlins should be starting to appear now, saying that my ‘remlin’ is very made but it did need the sharp edges knocking off the internals and especially the loading gate. They are drilled and tapped with a wide range of sight mounting options, I’ve got a skinner peep sight.

For me scopes are for range and ultimate accuracy. What I want out of a lever gun is short-range mobility, speed and power - whilst retaining the maximum possible accuracy. So thinking along the lines of a red-dot on top of open v-blade

 

[alberta boy]

For me scopes are for range and ultimate accuracy. What I want out of a lever gun is short-range mobility, speed and power - whilst retaining the maximum possible accuracy. So thinking along the lines of a red-dot on top of open v-blade

Have you used aperture sights at all ? I still use these on a number of rifles , including a Marlin guide gun . Mine is like Andy RVs , it has a Skinner sight on it . If you're looking for something that's durable , lightweight and unobtrusive , the Skinners are really hard to beat . They are great guys to deal with as well .
I've used a few red dot sights , like the Vortex and Aimpoint on a handful of rifles , including a Marlin 1894 in 44 RM and the above mentioned Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in 45/70 . They work extremely well in low light conditions and are very fast to use . They also have the advantage of unlimited eye relief which makes it far easier to mount on rifles like the 1886 , or 94 Winchester that have top ejection . In the end , I've just gone back to aperture sights like the Skinner on my rifles . It's more of a personal , than practical choice though . Like everyone else , you'll probably try out a few options yourself before you settle on something . That's half the fun lol .

AB

 

[Tregullon]

Have you used aperture sights at all ? I still use these on a number of rifles , including a Marlin guide gun . Mine is like Andy RVs , it has a Skinner sight on it . If you're looking for something that's durable , lightweight and unobtrusive , the Skinners are really hard to beat . They are great guys to deal with as well .
I've used a few red dot sights , like the Vortex and Aimpoint on a handful of rifles , including a Marlin 1894 in 44 RM and the above mentioned Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in 45/70 . They work extremely well in low light conditions and are very fast to use . They also have the advantage of unlimited eye relief which makes it far easier to mount on rifles like the 1886 , or 94 Winchester that have top ejection . In the end , I've just gone back to aperture sights like the Skinner on my rifles . It's more of a personal , than practical choice though . Like everyone else , you'll probably try out a few options yourself before you settle on something . That's half the fun lol .

AB

When I were a lad I used only aperture sights. But they require good eyesight and depth of field. Now when I look through them what I see is like a spider has built a web inside. That is why I'm going for red dot

 

[scrumbag]

When I were a lad I used only aperture sights. But they require good eyesight and depth of field. Now when I look through them what I see is like a spider has built a web inside. That is why I'm going for red dot

Red dots are awesome things

 

[Rafter]

The photo of the guy with a cut back was done in a knife fight, nothing to do with a pig. The bloke with the ripped thigh was done by a pig, it happened in NZ a couple of years ago.

There are thousands of pigs killed here every year with a 30.30, I'll have to let them know it was all a mistake, and can't be done.

That said, 45/70 is always a fun answer.

 

[gjwardman]

Do you have dies to reload for the 45-70? I have shot both extensively, as I own both. I reload for my 45-70 because the factory ammo in the States is so under-loaded to minimize risk if used in an old trapdoor Springfield. I used to reload the 350 gr Nosler Partition at about 2000-2100 fps, but they stopped making that bullet. Not a bad kick (like a 12 gauge 3in mag load), but NOTHING shakes it off. I have also shot Barnes, Hornady and Speer in weights ranging from 300-400. I reloaded for a friend that took a 6 ft black bear...he said it was a winner. Here is a cool website for 45-70 ammo loads: www.Marlinowner.com.
I have used the factory stuff too and it is actually pleasurable to shoot and will get the job done on anything within range. For the velocity and penetration junkies out there, remember the 45-70 was an old black powder cartridge and it has shot and killed people and buffalo at hundreds of yards. Arguably, it was so effective that it all but wiped out the buffalo herds in the US, so it should be able to handle a pig and deer!

 

[Tregullon]

 

[Tregullon]

Thar she blows...
Quite pleased with it in the end.
Octagonal barrel (21") is just gorgeous, makes it heavier ofc
Lovely bit of American walnut with restrained figuring
Quality brass finishing touches
Underlever is inevitably long throw but as quick as a bolt
Hawke red dot - we'll see how that shapes up
Beartooth recoil pad was hanging around - really a protector
Alpine ammo slicker too
Tourbon sling - buffalo hide appropriately - very good value I thought
Next pic will hopefully be some pork chops on the hoof...

 

[alberta boy]

View attachment 334251

Very nice , post some piggy pics .

AB