Quote:
Originally Posted by sc_rufctr
A little bit bigger than a 30-30.  |
Great video on one of my all-time favorite rifles and calibers, Peter. I find it interesting how shooters half a world apart can reach the same conclusions as well. I tried the XS Sight Systems "ghost ring" rear sight on mine and found the same thing these two found - I couldn't hit a damn thing with it. I went back to a normal Williams peep with a big white front bead and never looked back. As far as ammunition, I, too, shoot a 400 grain-ish hard cast lead bullet. Their load, at about 1,800 fps is actually on the "milder" side (if you can believe that) of what these are capable of. Mine are loaded to about 1,950 fps, which is still by no means maximum. That's just where I cried "uncle", not the rifle.
As far as field effectiveness, I have never seen any round do any better within its inherent range limitations. I've shot animals as big as 800 pounds, at all kinds of crazy angles, and have never recovered a bullet - full penetration on every animal with every shot I've taken. Not many rifle rounds will do that.
Funny, too, these things are really just 336's in disguise. Marlin did make a "full length" action for the .45-70 at one time, but dropped it a century ago. This one is a shortened compromise - it will not accept full length 500 grain military (Trapdoor Springfield) loads. Oh well - an entire industry has been built around feeding the Marlin, with commercial jacketed bullets made with the cannelure in the proper spot to crimp at the correct OAL for the Marlin, as well as bullet molds made specifically for it.
When conversation in our hunting camps inevitably turns to the question of "if you could only have one hunting rifle...", the Marlin in .45-70 is always near, or at, the top of my list.