About to pull the trigger on buying a new Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70, and the Browning BLR lightweight stainless with pistol grip in .450 Marlin caught my eye for only a few black walnuts more.
I plan to use this for pig, goat and sheep hunting in brush. Also would like to make it up to Alaska if my bank account will allow to shoot a bear sometime.
I plan to keep it in iron sights. The SBL comes with XS Ghost Ring sights (which helped me decide to move up from the GS to the SBL), the Marlin I'm not familiar with the quality of the sights.
I reload, and checking on brass, looks like the 450 is available - just over 2x the price of the 45-70 brass. Not a big deal to me, but I figure I'll buy at least 100 rounds if not 250 - so the 450 will cost me $50 or $125 more there. Dies and bullets will be the same cost I think.
I want to be able to load light for lots of target shooting, but will load hotter for hunting. I don't plan to try to shoot much heavy lead at hi velocity, but when I make trips to Alaska, I'd like to bear hunt with this gun.
I like a nice smooth trigger, so I'd like to spend a little and get the trigger worked on or replaced - not sure what is possible with either rifle, or what the cost are. Would like to have a nice, smooth 3.5# trigger if possible.
Barrels are 18.5" on the Marlin, 20" on the Browning - either is fine for me.
For looks, I like the Marlin, except for that damn rail - don't know if this can be removed, or if it's really worth it. I love laminated stocks, but the Browning is pretty too. Looks are not so important though, want it to be great shooting and fun to shoot. More interested in accuracy and smooth action.
My $ is burning a hole in my pocket (just found that a broken screen on a $500 tablet computer is covered by my credit card - thank you Citi!), and these rifles are now available new around $900. I want to get this ordered in the next few days, and any opinions are much appreciated!
I plan to use this for pig, goat and sheep hunting in brush. Also would like to make it up to Alaska if my bank account will allow to shoot a bear sometime.
I plan to keep it in iron sights. The SBL comes with XS Ghost Ring sights (which helped me decide to move up from the GS to the SBL), the Marlin I'm not familiar with the quality of the sights.
I reload, and checking on brass, looks like the 450 is available - just over 2x the price of the 45-70 brass. Not a big deal to me, but I figure I'll buy at least 100 rounds if not 250 - so the 450 will cost me $50 or $125 more there. Dies and bullets will be the same cost I think.
I want to be able to load light for lots of target shooting, but will load hotter for hunting. I don't plan to try to shoot much heavy lead at hi velocity, but when I make trips to Alaska, I'd like to bear hunt with this gun.
I like a nice smooth trigger, so I'd like to spend a little and get the trigger worked on or replaced - not sure what is possible with either rifle, or what the cost are. Would like to have a nice, smooth 3.5# trigger if possible.
Barrels are 18.5" on the Marlin, 20" on the Browning - either is fine for me.
For looks, I like the Marlin, except for that damn rail - don't know if this can be removed, or if it's really worth it. I love laminated stocks, but the Browning is pretty too. Looks are not so important though, want it to be great shooting and fun to shoot. More interested in accuracy and smooth action.
My $ is burning a hole in my pocket (just found that a broken screen on a $500 tablet computer is covered by my credit card - thank you Citi!), and these rifles are now available new around $900. I want to get this ordered in the next few days, and any opinions are much appreciated!