Question for you lever lovers...

Precision Seeker

Precision Seeker

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I've been wanting a decent lever in 45-70. Reading articles & forums, folks tend to mention Henry's as some of the nicer ones. Marlins are up there also, but never seemed to rank as highly in my readings. Looking around online today, the Marlins were CONSIDERABLY more expensive than the Henry's. Am I missing something? Are Marlins that much nicer?

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. I know the knowledge base runs deep on this site. 😊
 
Precision Seeker said:
I've been wanting a decent lever in 45-70. Reading articles & forums, folks tend to mention Henry's as some of the nicer ones. Marlins are up there also, but never seemed to rank as highly in my readings. Looking around online today, the Marlins were CONSIDERABLY more expensive than the Henry's. Am I missing something? Are Marlins that much nicer?

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. I know the knowledge base runs deep on this site. 😊
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JM Marlins are pricey.
Relin Marlins not so much, but may go up for certain ones now that Remington is gone.
Can't say on Henry as I've never handled one.
The new Ruglins may be worth looking at when they get out on the street.
 
Excellent quality with the JM Marlins, not that the Henry's aren't made well too. I also have a couple of Rossi/Pumas that I love.
Being a certified, card carrying, Ruger nut....I fully expect The Ruger-made Marlins to be equal to, or better than the JM's.
 
ncspeedsix said:
Ruger had a press release last week announcing that the 45-70 would be their first Marlin produced in Mayodan. Model 1895 SBL. Should be available in December. Probably worth the wait.
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Ruger is doing away with Marlins micro grooved barrels. Saying their new rifling is better. Remains to be seen. .I have several Marlins that won't leave me. Love them . 30-30,444 and 45-70.
 
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The Henry is a well put together gun. Shot a bud's Henry .45-70 side by side with my (departed) .45-70 Guide Gun & wouldn't feel I was missing out if I had the Henry instead of the Marlin. Dont' get me wrong- I love Marlins & have a '59 39A & a late '80's 30AS in .30-30, but also have & love my Henry .41Mag carbine.

Not sure I can quantify whether Marlin is better than Ruger. The old Marlins are sublime, but yer gonna pay for that name. The Henry looks to be a real close imitation of the Marlin action & is a damn nice gun. If ya gotta have the name & cachet that comes with it, get the Marlin. If money's tight & you just want a quality levergun, get the Henry & don't look back.
 
I have both a octagon/brass Henry and a JM stamped 1895G, both in .45-70. The Henry is smoother and has a large loop my paws actually fit into, but the brass butt plate makes it kick like a SOB in comparison to the rubber on the Marlin.

I’m exited to see what Ruger does with the brand, but just tossing it up and expecting them to be amazing out of the gate isn’t gonna happen, we all see what remington did with that.
 
vp9c said:
what would you all use 45/70 for in NC?

don’t get me wrong. i want 2 of them. just don’t know why
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Anything that walks or moves.

For me its one of the ultimate brush calibers. I also used to load them to the marlin level loads and I was comfortable with it out to 200 yards.

Now most of my shots are less than 50 yards so no need for heavy loads. Mater of fact I even have a squirrel hunting load for it. 😉
 
I've handled a few Henry's and they seem heavier than the Marlins and more bulky. Thats been a few years ago so they may have changed.

The JM stamped marlins are the original as built by marlin. Then remington bought them out but still used the marlin name. QC on these were hit and miss so if you're looking at them look real careful. Now Ruger owns the Marlin name and is bringing them back. Hopefully these Ruglins will be them same or better than the original JM Marlins.

I have also seen the imported ones from uberti and they are very nice. I am hoping to own one or three of them.
 
I have Henry and Marlin and love them both. I also will say that old Rossi levers from 25 years ago are made very well also. Newer Rossi’s not as much.
 
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If you need a scope, then the Marlin. If you don’t and have the money, spend the money on a Winchester 1886 Extra light Rifle. It won’t depreciate and you have a classic rifle to hunt with.
 
Tailhunter said:
Micro Groove
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My experience in my 1895:
Lee molds COWW, don't push them hard. Water quenching helps with slight increase when trying to go faster.

NOE Ranch dog mold COWW, can push faster than Lee. Water quench let's you get a few 100fps more vs non water quench. Can't exceed 1500fps without excessive flyers.

NOE Ranch dog Gas check. Less leading but still can't push above 1500fps without loss of accuracy.

This is according to my note for my JM 1895 with micro groove rifling.
 
vp9c said:
what would you all use 45/70 for in NC?

don’t get me wrong. i want 2 of them. just don’t know why
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Brush gun 100% in my case. Hunted new spots last year that had amazing potential and I felt foolish sitting there with a scoped rifle that couldn’t turn down past 4x magnification.

Had a single shot H&R years ago that would prune bushes in a straight line for 100 yards so the caliber choice was a no-brainer for me.

Just picked up this Henry. Newer design with the side loading gate. While I have no Marlin history to compare it with, I’m more than pleased with its quality, fit, finish and feel.

067FF632-ED3D-40F7-B418-396E71CADF2A.jpeg
 
cold1 said:
My experience in my 1895:
Lee molds COWW, don't push them hard. Water quenching helps with slight increase when trying to go faster.

NOE Ranch dog mold COWW, can push faster than Lee. Water quench let's you get a few 100fps more vs non water quench. Can't exceed 1500fps without excessive flyers.

NOE Ranch dog Gas check. Less leading but still can't push above 1500fps without loss of accuracy.

This is according to my note for my JM 1895 with micro groove rifling.
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Slug the barrel for size needed. Harden the lead. Gas check or powder coat and let it eat.
 
Another great option is skinner sights. They’re based out in Montana and make some top quality peep sights that can me mounted on any kind of lever action. I have them on a handful of 39a’s , an 1894 in 357 and my mini Mauser action CZ 527 in 7.62x39. They’re incredibly accurate with the benefit of a faster target acquisition than a scope. If you’re really hunting something large enough to require a 45-70, the peep sights would be my choice. Your eye automatically puts the front sight in the middle of the rear peep allowing you to shoot faster without having to adjust for eye relief.
 
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