Hot .45-70 in OCTAGONAL barrel? Or just go with the Ruger No.1?

C

Cosmoline

New member
I've been contemplating getting one of the new Marlin 1895 Cowboy rifles in .45-70. The only thing that gives me pause is the apparently thin spots on the barrel (and around the chamber) where it has been cut to make an octagon. Has anyone heard of this weakening barrels? Or would the steel remain the same? Im not planning on shooting very much hot stuff out of it, but I might drop a hot handload in from time to time for hunting or hiking (I'm in south-central AK).

It's either that or go with the wonderful, beautiful but hopelessly-impractical-for-bear-country Ruger No.1. Both are the same price.

I've rarely had such a difficult choice to make. It's like deciding between the really hot girl you know is no good for you or the solid girl with the lever action and high capacity. But I digress.
 
Hey Cosmoline,

Do not be afraid of the Marlin 1895 Cowboy being able to handle the hot stuff. The octagon barrel does nothing to weaken this rifle; it simply makes it look beautiful. The Marlin 1895 action is the same whether it is chambered in the 45-70 or the new Marlin 450 Mag which is touted for its hot loadings. I have a Cowboy in 45-70 with a 26 inch octagon barrel, and it is simply a beautiful piece.

Remington and Winchester 45-70 ammunition is made at relatively milder loadings so it can be used in the Springfield Trapdoor whose action is not nearly as strong as the Marlin 1895. The Ruger action is actually stronger than the Marlin 1895, but not by much.

The Marlin can hold ten 45-70 rounds in its full length magazine. The Ruger - well you get the picture. The Ruger will shoot 500 grain bullets, but the Marlin action will not function with cartridges over a certain length which I happen to forget what it is at the moment. For me, this means the heaviest bullet I will use is a 405 grain flat nose in either jacketed or cast. Some folks have found heavier bullets that they are able to keep under the over all length, but I have not chosen to try it. I am happy with the 405 grain bullets.

Since I load my own bullets, I am able to make ammunition that is just as hot as the 450 Mag. Actually, there is no real difference between the 450 Mag and the 45-70 except the 450 Mag is belted and will not chamber in a 45-70. That way, one can not be fired in an old Springfield Trapdoor or one of the other weaker actions. Both rounds, however, are fired in the same basic Marlin 1895 actions. To tell the truth, I do not like shooting those really hot loads. A 405 grain bullet over 50 to 55 grains of IMR 3031 really thumps me a lot harder than I care to take. I'm not hunting Grizzly - mostly punching holes in paper, so I have settled on the milder loadings similar to Remington and Winchester factory loads.

I installed a Lyman #2 tang sight on it, made and tooled a scabbard for it to match my holster and cartridge belt for my Ruger Super Blackhawk, and I think they just look fine. The long octagon barrel handles just fine for me, and it feels good.

Again, Cosmoline, do not worry about the strength of the Marlin 1895 action and the Cowboy model in 45-70. It is an extremely strong action that will handle ammunition hotter than most folks care to take as a steady diet. If you like the Cowboy, by all means, go for it.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile
 
I would definately choose the Marlin. I purchased the 1895 because I wanted a fast handling, powerful rifle capable of rapid follow up shots. The Marlin is up to the task.

David Wile-
I have been looking into purchasing the 1895 Cowboy. I have hesitated because I feared the cowboy would be geared towards cowboy action shooting and the lighter loads associated with these events. I think you have put my fears to rest. What is the weight like on this rifle?
 
Hey Lite,

According to my balance beam scale which is pretty accurate, my empty Cowboy with a Lyman tang sight attached weighs about 7.25 pounds. If I load it with ten 45-70 405 grain rounds, I can add about one more pound for the cartridges.

Yes, the Marlin 1895 Cowboy does fit in quite well with part of the cowboy action scene because it looks like a cowboy rifle should. However, the 1895 Cowboy is not used for regular stages in cowboy shooting. The lever action guns they use for the stages are the type designed for pistol cartridges. When they use the big bores like the 1895, it is for long range shooting side matches. To the best of my knowledge, most of the folks in the big bore side matches are probably not shooting really hot loads. They are mostly shooting lighter loads that are chosen for accuracy instead of extreme horsepower.

Having said that, however, do not think the Marlin 1895 is not capable of the really hot loads. Today's 1895 action is not quite the strength of the Ruger, but it is not far from it, and it also holds ten rounds (nine in the magazine).

Marlin's 1895 action can be had in different models: short barrels and magazines, ported barrels, stainless, and whatever. They are all the same action and shooting the same 45-70 cartridge. I just liked the classic looks of the Cowboy model, and it handles real well. The 45-70 is a massive round capable of killing anything if it is loaded properly. Obviously you can use a lower powered round for deer than you would choose for grizzly or cape buffalo.

If you are attracted to classic western gun, you really ought to see a Cowboy and sight down the barrel as you swing it through an arc. I suspect that might be all you need to make up your mind.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile
 
The 1895 CB isn't all that long, actually. I took one over to the bolt-action section of a local gun shop today and, to my surprise, it's the same OAL or even a little shorter than most standard bolt-action hunting rifles. The one thing I might do to improve it is put a nicer stock on it. The factory stock seems a bit on the light side.

I had an 1895G for a while, but I dislike the porting.
 
If your going to spring for a Number 1 ---why not skip a weak cartridge like the .45-70 and go for a real powerhouse like a .375 H & H or .416 Rem??

Still no more shots in reserve---but one hell of an opener.
 
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