RedBaron
Registered User
All Over, Alaska
I just went down yesterday and bought a new Marlin .45-70 "Guide Gun" and was hoping that there are some folks who have some knowledge and experience with this particular rifle or at the least the Caliber. I have purchased several boxes of (very expensive) Buffalo Bore ammo; 350 grain, 430 grain and 500 grain bullets.
What I am wondering is what kind of range can a guy expect from this gun? It is a carbine, hardly the long barrel version of a Creed-moor or Sharps.
I am asking because obviously the 45-70 or maybe 45-90 has made some great shots out at range, but through different barrels. What can I expect for range with the short 18.5" barrel on the Marlin?
Interestingly, I found that I asked three different noted gun dealers in Anchorage the VERY same question, and got three VERY different answers, and with many different explanations why.
I got it for a Bear gun/Brush gun, which is what it essentially is, but I would like to know the range capabilities should a long-range opportunity present itself. Haven't had much chance to shoot it a lot though after shooting it a few times I have discovered this rifle packs a punch and certainly would put a bear down!
I thought about adding this post onto the Bear Protection thread but I was hoping for some more specific answers so I decided to put it off by itself.
Incidentally on that note, I have a Ruger .454 Casull that I carry as a side-arm for Bear; which I purchased only after shooting a guide friend of mine's Ruger .454 which I found to be unbelievably accurate and didn't break my hand like HIS buddy's .500 Ultra or Whatever Mag thingy did when I shot it. I've since banged away at paper plates with moderate success with this gun (.454) at 100 yards, though if I'm shooting a Bear at 100 yards it certainly isn't self defense...:lol:
Thanks for the help...
RB
What I am wondering is what kind of range can a guy expect from this gun? It is a carbine, hardly the long barrel version of a Creed-moor or Sharps.
I am asking because obviously the 45-70 or maybe 45-90 has made some great shots out at range, but through different barrels. What can I expect for range with the short 18.5" barrel on the Marlin?
Interestingly, I found that I asked three different noted gun dealers in Anchorage the VERY same question, and got three VERY different answers, and with many different explanations why.
I got it for a Bear gun/Brush gun, which is what it essentially is, but I would like to know the range capabilities should a long-range opportunity present itself. Haven't had much chance to shoot it a lot though after shooting it a few times I have discovered this rifle packs a punch and certainly would put a bear down!
I thought about adding this post onto the Bear Protection thread but I was hoping for some more specific answers so I decided to put it off by itself.
Incidentally on that note, I have a Ruger .454 Casull that I carry as a side-arm for Bear; which I purchased only after shooting a guide friend of mine's Ruger .454 which I found to be unbelievably accurate and didn't break my hand like HIS buddy's .500 Ultra or Whatever Mag thingy did when I shot it. I've since banged away at paper plates with moderate success with this gun (.454) at 100 yards, though if I'm shooting a Bear at 100 yards it certainly isn't self defense...:lol:
Thanks for the help...
RB