As much as I like a 45-70, there’s really not a lot that it will do that your 30-30 won’t. No increased range, more recoil, and more expensive to shoot.

They’re still cool though...

I have had that whimsical urge to go purchase a 45-70, as well, at various times over the years. If I were motivated to go into Grizzly country, I would buy one along with a good recoil pad, then work up a load that would suit me, the gun, and the intended target and after much practice, would head out. That said, I don’t hunt in grizzly country, and a 30 caliber is plenty strong for hogs, cougars, or deer. And the 30-30, seems lighter and faster to swing and get on target, than the 45-70. So, I never bought one. But like I have thought long and hard about it. In fact, I have often wondered why folks don’t take them to Africa.

Good luck on your decision, and let us know what you decide!

yea that would be great to see someone bring a taste of Texas to africa and watch the 45-70 work. i'm still on the fence but will definitely let y'all know. going to deer hunt with the 30-30 a bit this year and then make the decision, if i don't just grab one on impulse or find the right deal on here. thanks y'all for the input and responses.

Look up garret cartridges, a dude killed the big 5 and then some with his marlin 45-70, which is one of the reasons i bought one. I live in Texas and probably ain't ever going to Africa, which is the reason i sold mine and went back to a 3030. But, i still get the itch for another one every once in a while.....

I got lucky, my brother got a really nice one with octagon barrel and said I could shoot it whenever I wanted. I shot a hog with it 2 years ago, it was fun hunting with it. It doesn't offer much past what your 3030 can do, and is more expensive to feed.

Also a lot of the factory loads are akin to cowboy action loads and are very watered down. I handload for my brothers and can assure you that with stout loaded 405, it eats on both ends! Id put it up there with the recoil of my 300 wby and 200 grainers.

Didn't know there were any Gibson's left in the world.

If you get a 45-70, try some of these rascals in it. You might be able to take out 3 or 4 hogs with one shot if you can get em lined up!

Never a good reason not to buy a good gun for the right price

Love mine too, circa 2000 1895 LTD 26" cowboy. Have a Lyman peep on it now and with mild hard cast 405's it is easily 3" at 100 yrs and would go clean through a hog end to end. Rolled some hotter loads and they hammer on both ends but hand loading is where it's at with the 45-70.

With the right load they will shoot better than I can and reach out there, may be coming down at a steep angle at longer range though!

Have a nice Ruger No 1 45-70 that I need to find a home for, my marlin gets jealous! Even though i don't shoot it all that much, I never plan to part with my Marlin, too much fun!

You won't be disappointed, get ya one!

i don't hand load but sounds like that really is beneficial with the 45-70.

With the right gun you can put it on par with a 375 H&H.

Just don't trick yourself into thinking you are ever going to flatten the trajectory. No matter how hot you load them they will fly like a rainbow. The best parts of handloading is that you can get the cost and recoil down to where the rifle is much more enjoyable to shoot. And with a lead 405 grainer going about 1500 you have way more power than you think. Remember they killed a lot of buffalo with a 500 grain bullet at 1300ish FPS. But, everyone initially (myself included) seems to want to shoot a 405 at 2000, or a 300 at 2200, the fun runs out of that pretty quick

Yep and 405's around 1900-2000 is not comfortable

I bought the big loop Marlin 45/70 2 years ago. That thing will sho-nuff lay hogs down. Hope you make the move and enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

Funny post, my Guide Gun was damn buckish with those loads!

I have five 30-30s, and two 45-70s. Had three, but sold my Guide Gun after I bought a Rossi Rio Grande.



Not a bulky as the 1895 as it is based on the Marlin 336 frame. It is light, so you know you have shot a 45-70! They are out of production now, and you see few on the auction sites as typically owners are very pleased with them. I like a big loop on a heavy recoil levergun plus it allows the use of a glove in cold weather. I did have Mule Works cut the size of the loop down for a custom fit for my gloved hand from that in the picture. I also refinished the stock, hand rubbed oil.

I'm a bullet caster and handloader, typically shoot a 425-grain bullet of my design. I've used the rifle for hogs, whitetail, mule deer, and nilgai.

I also have a bolt action 45-70 on a SMLE action. It is at a gunsmith having a custom scout scope base made. Hope it is ready for a nilgai hunt at the end of February!

I bet the old 45-70 would make a heck of a Nilgai gun.

I love the look of that rifle also, I think if I was to ever run across one i'd have to buy a bolt 45-70.

Yeah, it does. Bad [censored] on whitetails & mule deer as well.


It is a Gibbs Sumitt. Gibbs also offered another model, not quite finished as this rifle.

had a marlin 45-70, ran across a 444 marlin 1967 sold the 45-75 and kept the 444. 444 got a bad rap when all the ammo was pistol bullets. buffalo bre makes some good ammo.

You've got that right brother!



Marlin 444T (Texan). 265-grain cast bullet at 2400 FPS. I do love me some big bore lever guns! I have the 444P Outfitter (Guide Gun) as well.

When I had my mold business, I supplied a number of my 350-grain molds, the TLC432-350-RF, to a Russian outfitter that specialized in hunts for their big bears. My molds were part of a larger package; Lee providing the reloading tools and Marlin providing the 444P Outfitters. I communicated a bit with the outfitter, and the 444 was his and his guides choice for a short range brown bear stopper.