Need .45-70 Help

J

juliet charley

New member
Just acquired a Guide Gun today. I'm a whole lot more of a handgun man than a rifle man, and I need some help.

1. I know I want to put Ashley Express sights on it, but when I go to their web site, there is about a dozen different packages for the 1895. I don't know which to get. Can I install them myself, or will I have to use a gunsmith. (I'm pretty good mechanically, but have absolutely no specialized tools beyond a good set of punches and screwdrivers.)

2. Marlin packed a Marlin Accessories Catalogue (brochure) with my rifle that includes an "Ashley Outdoors Ghost-Ring Apeture Sight Set" for $74.95. Would I be just as well off to go with that? It appears to be a little less expensive than Ashley's web site.

3. Is there any commercial ammunition available between the standard factory offerings and Randy Garrett's hot loads. I will probably buy a box of Garrett's 420 grainers for kicks (literally and figuratively), but it is probably a little hot for Texas whitetails (which along with the occassional hog will be my primary target).

3. Any recommended handloads in that range (between standard factory and Garret) for smaller whitetails and hogs? Are there any sources of hard cast, gas-checked bullets for the .45-70?

Again, thanks for any help. Even thought I've shot them occassionally, this long gun stuff is relatively new territory for me.
 
I can't help you with the Ashley stuff, but if you check out wildwestguns.com you'll find the original aperture sight for the Marlin.
Marlin itself copied the concept of the "Co-Pilot" to create the guide gun. Ashley copied the sights.
I have a set of these and they are excellent.



------------------
Keith
The Bears and Bear Maulings Page: members.xoom.com/keithrogan
 
Ashley Emerson put the sights on my Marlin himself. The rear is the large ghost ring and the front is the 100/1000" post with white line...don't let Ashley Outdoors talk you into the 80/1000 sight...it's too thin for snap shooting.

Ashley is an absolute stickler about sight height. The test is to throw the weapon to your shoulder with eyes closed and then to open your eyes. If you need to move your head to get proper sight alignment, the sights are wrong...period.

In order to get the right rear sight height on the Marlin, Ashley machined the rear ghost ring down to the point that the "A" imprinted on the side looks like a "^". This requires a smith who understands proper sight alignment or a customer who's insistent that it be done his way. You can determine proper rear height by installing the front sight and "building" a rear ring from any piece of plastic....pen top might be good. Then attach it with sticky tape and begin to build it higher until your comfortable with the "eyes off" drill. Use a micrometer to measure the proper height to the center and then see how much, if any, the Ashley ghost ring needs to be machined.

Be aware of this:
45-70 Ammo varies considerably. We noted an 18" difference between point of impact of Randy's 415 and 530 grain offerings. This cannot be adjusted for by rear sight alone without throwing the sight height way off. It requires that a different front sight be installed.
Rich

[This message has been edited by Rich Lucibella (edited September 15, 2000).]
 
Can't help you with the sights, but I have found that Buffalo Bore has some really good rounds. I have used them, Winchester's and I just got a box of Partition Gold's that I am going to try tomorrow. I also think Cor-bon makes some hot 45/70 loads.
 
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