Marlin 1894C 357/38 vs 1895 45-70

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:47 am

Hi - new to forum and new to Lever Action, ahh, so new in fact I haven't fired one yet. Been shooting a .22LR (my son's Henry) for some time and just picked-up a Ruger 10-22LR for myself. Really enjoy .22LR so decided to move up to Lever Action. Purchased a NIB Marlin 45-70 Government (1895) a few weeks back, thought it was a good deal and I would use it to trade/sell for a Marlin 1894C 357/38, what I believed I really wanted since I carry a 38 Spec. But, the more I read and view online videos it appears I may need both. Thoughts/comments anyone?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:51 am

31rdgross,

Welcome to the forum.

I'd say; yes you need them both.

The 1895 45-70 is a heavy rifle caliber suitable for anything that walks on this continent. But a bit heavy for lighter use. The 1894 in .357 mag is excellent for lighter things up to deer and is a lot easier and less expensive to feed.

Yep, you need them both.

Joe

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:33 am

I wholly agree with the Professor.

RKrodle · Post by **RKrodle** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:44 am

31rdgross wrote:Hi - new to forum and new to Lever Action, ahh, so new in fact I haven't fired one yet. Been shooting a .22LR (my son's Henry) for some time and just picked-up a Ruger 10-22LR for myself. Really enjoy .22LR so decided to move up to Lever Action. Purchased a NIB Marlin 45-70 Government (1895) a few weeks back, thought it was a good deal and I would use it to trade/sell for a Marlin 1894C 357/38, what I believed I really wanted since I carry a 38 Spec. But, the more I read and view online videos it appears I may need both. Thoughts/comments anyone?

Welcome to the forum 31rdgross.

Both rifles are great. The 1894C being great for plinking and such and also works well on hogs and other game that size. The 1895 in 45-70 can also be used as a plinker with light handloads or loaded up to a level where recoil becomes a real issue. The 1894 even with hot ammo has very little kick to it and the 357 Mag really shines in rifle. It can boil down to what you plan on doing. I have both, but I go by the theory of the more the merrier.

If this is your first center fire rifle I would recommend the 1894, the ammo is cheaper and easier to find in most places.

pwl44m · Post by **pwl44m** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:49 am

Welcome and Yes U need them both. It will give U a Gap ( a very large Gap) to fill. Kinda like drawing to an inside Straight. From 22 to 45-70, as long as the Monet holds out U R going to have a lot of Fun. I am not going to be the first to chew U out for NO pics,Griff will do that soon enough.

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:08 pm

What the Professor said

Welcome, you will enjoy it here

Post by **Old Savage** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:28 pm

You need both and the commercial 45-70 for the most part is loaded down. Might as well keep this one. Don't know if this was asked - do you reload? The two of those rifles cover a lot of ground but you can cover all of it with 1895. I have one and love it, loads from mild to almost wild. I have the 1894s too. For me is more fun to shoot the Fo Fi Seven Oh. Killed a deer with it last year.

Chas. · Post by **Chas.** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:55 pm

EVERYBODY needs at least one 45-70.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:03 pm

I concur with most of what has gone before. The only exception is that the 45-70 is good for anything on this continent. It is not, it is good for anything that currently walks the earth.

tman · Post by **tman** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:49 pm

.22, .357, and 45-70. That's a really versatile outfit.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:14 pm

tman wrote:.22, .357, and 45-70. That's a really versatile outfit.

Add a 30-30, and you have everything from bunnies to polar bears covered. And with just four rounds. That can't be, cuz I've got way more than four different calibers, and I don't have it all covered yet

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:34 pm

Welcome! Yes, both!

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:51 pm

"Need...?"

What's "need" got to do with it...

Bob Winchester · Post by **Bob Winchester** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:22 pm

jeepnik wrote:
tman wrote:.22, .357, and 45-70. That's a really versatile outfit.
Add a 30-30, and you have everything from bunnies to polar bears covered. And with just four rounds. That can't be, cuz I've got way more than four different calibers, and I don't have it all covered yet

Kinda like golf clubs.....only fun...you need the right one for the distance and angle.

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 1:27 am

You must also have an 1894 in .44 Magnum to cover situations where the .357's not enough and the .45-70 is too much!

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:15 am

claybob86 wrote:You must also have an 1894 in .44 Magnum to cover situations where the .357's not enough and the .45-70 is too much!

Pardon me, but this gap can only be filled with a Marlin 336 in .35Rem...

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:12 am

31rdgross, Welcome to THE Forum.

FWiedner wrote:
claybob86 wrote:You must also have an 1894 in .44 Magnum to cover situations where the .357's not enough and the .45-70 is too much!
Pardon me, but this gap can only be filled with a Marlin 336 in .35Rem...

As they say about opinions, everyone has at least one... and everyone ain't exactly right... or wrong! Actually, an 1892 Winchester in .45Colt would bridge that gap nicely! Or as someone else mentioned... the true King of levergun cartridges, a .30WCF!

Except when it comes to PICTURES! Then it seems we all agree;

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 1:10 am

Well, here it is a month or so after my ‘this’ vs ‘that’ post. I'm keeping the .45-70 and looking for input regarding enhancing the sights (Skinner "Express”) and Mag-na-porting or the Mag-na-brake.
I also was able to purchase a 1894C the other day, so the collection grows. (I will have to begin reloading once I recover from these purchases and taxes!)

Ammo.0311.JPG

And . . . . should I post pictures? Don’t the models look the same? Well, I’ll give it a shot once I return home if people really want to see my few firearms.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:54 am

31drfl wrote:Hi - new to forum and new to Lever Action, ahh, so new in fact I haven't fired one yet. Been shooting a .22LR (my son's Henry) for some time and just picked-up a Ruger 10-22LR for myself. Really enjoy .22LR so decided to move up to Lever Action. Purchased a NIB Marlin 45-70 Government (1895) a few weeks back, thought it was a good deal and I would use it to trade/sell for a Marlin 1894C 357/38, what I believed I really wanted since I carry a 38 Spec. But, the more I read and view online videos it appears I may need both. Thoughts/comments anyone?

Of course you need both! Two entirely different chamberings with widely different capabilities and applications.So, I suppose, you aren't going to be disappointed with your purchases. But I noticed, still no photos!

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:33 am

Welcome!! Before you send that 1895 off to have it magna ported, I would suggest you try a pachmeyer(sp) decelorater(sp, I can't spell for poop) on that thing it made a huge DIFFERENCE ON HOW NICE MINE IS TO SHOOT, and it isn't nearly as spendy. Good luck Tom

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:50 am

31drfl wrote:Well, here it is a month or so after my ‘this’ vs ‘that’ post. I'm keeping the .45-70 and looking for input regarding enhancing the sights (Skinner "Express”) and Mag-na-porting or the Mag-na-brake.

The Skinner is excellent.

I'm not a fan of porting. IMO while it can make the recoil a little "easier" (especially off the bench) it makes the gun a heck of a lot more unpleasant to be around. Besides, leverguns aren't supposed to be bench guns anyway.

I also was able to purchase a 1894C the other day, so the collection grows. (I will have to begin reloading once I recover from these purchases and taxes!)
Ammo.0311.JPG
And . . . . should I post pictures? Don’t the models look the same? Well, I’ll give it a shot once I return home if people really want to see my few firearms.

They aren't exactly the same, no, but the point isn't to see designs we've seen before, but to see what YOU have. For instance, all Wood is different. You may have an exceptionally fine stock. But without pics we'll never know/be able to comment.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 2:28 pm

Before you send that 1895 off to have it magna ported, I would suggest you try a pachmeyer(sp) decelorater(sp, I can't spell for poop) on that thing it made a huge DIFFERENCE ON HOW NICE MINE IS TO SHOOT, and it isn't nearly as spendy. Good luck Tom

Well, I found what you're speaking of, Pachmayr Decelerator Slip On Pad. http://www.pachmayr.com/deceleraton-slip.php
The cost IS significantly different.

Posting pictures, when the new rifle comes in I'll post a picture of all that I have, pertty nice firearms. I'm looking forward to just a little bit better weather so I can go shoot, hate the cold and rain and such!

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:18 pm

close but I got a pre-fit one for the gun and it looks like it was born there no slip on just unscrew the original and screw on the replacement ...life is signifcantly better. Tom

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:49 pm

Thnaks, ordered the Pre-Fit
http://www.pachmayr.com/recoil-pads.php

Pop, Pop!

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:19 pm

Picture, pictures, pictures!

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:40 pm

Nice little arsenal there!

Looks like you've got the bases covered.

Post by **Old Savage** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:57 pm

357 seems like a miniature 45/70 to me - velocity ranges are similar but way scaled down.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:48 am

If you've not shot a ported 45-70, do so before you spend your money on it. You'll never be able to hunt it without noise canceling muffs. It will cause permanent hearing loss the first time you touch it off without protection. Just put a nice pad on it and don't shoot full house loads from the bench. Your body will absorb a ton of recoil comfortably in sitting or offhand. Bench shooting a hot 45-70 is not much fun.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:41 pm

31drfl wrote: Picture, pictures, pictures!

Hey! Now thats why we ask for pics !

Look at the nice feathering on the wood of that 1894, plus that is amuch nicer than standard 10/22 !

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:45 pm

Tycer wrote:If you've not shot a ported 45-70, do so before you spend your money on it. You'll never be able to hunt it without noise canceling muffs. It will cause permanent hearing loss the first time you touch it off without protection. Just put a nice pad on it and don't shoot full house loads from the bench. Your body will absorb a ton of recoil comfortably in sitting or offhand. Bench shooting a hot 45-70 is not much fun.

Might depend on who does the ports ---- my guide gun is factory ported and i usually hunt with the Hornady FTX load --- the noise has never been an issue, but the ports help with the shot recovery time. I'd go with factory style ports

----- the 45/70 doesn't have a lot of pressure ----- i have a ported .300 Weatherby Mag and on this one, i will agree-its pretty fierce, but the MArlin has never been a problem.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:50 pm

Well, thanks for ALL the good input guys. I love the Ruger 10/22 (spent a little more because I loved the stock/cut on the wood

). I added Fire Sights, fiber optic sights, and wow, what a difference.

Just got the the Marlin 1894C .357/.38 last week and fired it last Friday, Nice

, but better sights are required for somone with eyes a little older than many others. I will order Skinner Express Sights, front & rear, per a fourm members recommendation.

Ahh, . . . . the Marlin 1895G .45-70, great rifle I bought for a great price, . . . . to sell, and . . . ., couldn't do it. I want to shoot it, but I'm concerned about the recoil and the effect on my body (I have an autoimmune disorder that manifests in muscle weakness - MG). So, I play it a little more conservative than many others. Before I move forward with porting I'm going to try the Pre-Fit® Decelerator® Recoil Pad I ordered. (Does anyone know if Marlin will port one of the rifles?) I picked-up a box of Hornady Leverevolution 325gr FTX and when I start reloading I know I can load the cartridge that fits me. (Anyone have a favorite load for the .45-70?)

Again, thanks!

Rifleman336 · Post by **Rifleman336** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:01 pm

J Miller wrote:31rdgross,

Welcome to the forum.

I'd say; yes you need them both.

The 1895 45-70 is a heavy rifle caliber suitable for anything that walks on this continent. But a bit heavy for lighter use. The 1894 in .357 mag is excellent for lighter things up to deer and is a lot easier and less expensive to feed.

Yep, you need them both.

Joe

When you refer to "this continent", you mean Africa right?? For their are the .45-70 +P loads with 500 grain copper solid bullet that'll take down a elephant in one shot!!!

And the .357 Mag only good to deer???!!!! Their was one poster, I think on this board if not on Marlin owners, who killed a moose with 190 hand cast solid at 1700 FPS, breaking one shoulder in the process. If you can kill a moose, you can kill a Elk. Both are bigger than Midwest whitetail deer by a longshot.

And congrats on the purchases, just remember Hobie's line if the Misses starts applying heat on having two rifles.

Rifleman 336

Beaker · Post by **Beaker** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:05 am

I dont know about the others but any lever gunner "needs" a good .30WCF in his arsenal.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:09 am

Rifleman336 wrote:...
And the .357 Mag only good to deer???!!!! Their was one poster, I think on this board if not on Marlin owners, who killed a moose with 190 hand cast solid at 1700 FPS, breaking one shoulder in the process. If you can kill a moose, you can kill a Elk. Both are bigger than Midwest whitetail deer by a longshot.
...

Note that I am a premier defender of the .357 as a deer gun... BUT

Sure you CAN... but only at a range that makes YOU a target of a really PO'd Moose if you don't do it exactly right.

1894cfan · Post by **1894cfan** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:37 pm

J Miller wrote:31rdgross,

Welcome to the forum.

I'd say; yes you need them both.

The 1895 45-70 is a heavy rifle caliber suitable for anything that walks on this continent. But a bit heavy for lighter use. The 1894 in .357 mag is excellent for lighter things up to deer and is a lot easier and less expensive to feed.

Yep, you need them both.

Joe

I don't really agree with the .357 being less expensive to feed. It's so much fun to shoot that I at least end up loading way more than any other cartridge that I load for, with the possible exception of 30WCF.

tomtex · Post by **tomtex** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:09 pm

claybob86 wrote:You must also have an 1894 in .44 Magnum to cover situations where the .357's not enough and the .45-70 is too much!

If you need a 44 , you may also want to look at the 444 , it may be a better chose for you than the 45-70. That would give you a 22, 38, 357, 44 SP ,44 mag and the 444 Marlin, the 444 and the 44 can use the same bullets when rolling your own hand loads, so can the 38/357 and the 44SP/44 Mag/444 Marlin.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:02 am

Saw a Marlin 1894 .44mag at the local FFL dealer. Used, not prefect wood and the claim is that only about a hundred rounds were fired thru-it by one of the female owners. What should I look for to better determine the condition of the rifle? They're asking $500, which I think is too much, but want are others seeing out there

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:55 am

Old Savage wrote:357 seems like a miniature 45/70 to me - velocity ranges are similar but way scaled down.

I believe you are right, need that 44 Rem. Magnum / 44 S&W Special Marlin to fill the gap.

Still waiting on that recoild pad for the .45-70 but may get a kick in the shouder today as I meet with another Lever Gunner and reload / sample the results.

Reloading is in the very near future but, dang, it cost some serious $'s for all of the pieces and startup materials.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:14 am

if you're recoil sensitive I would not recommend a 444. it has a hard and fast recoil impulse with factory ammo. bothers me a lot more than my 45/70s.

the 45/70 has hundreds of recipes for loads that will recoil less than the .357 does. I hope you reload. You can get quality 350g cast bullets that are low velocity and very low recoil. They'll still kill a deer size animal just fine.

Another reason NOT to port the barrel: you can tape your muzzle when you're in the wet woods to keep water out of the barrel, but I don't think you can seal those ports from wet wx. That could be an issue.

Have fun. I think you have three of the best rifle calibers in existence.

Grizz

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:33 am

Old Savage wrote:357 seems like a miniature 45/70 to me - velocity ranges are similar but way scaled down.

You know, I never really thought of it like that, but IS almost exactly how I use my pair...

Biggest difference is in number of rounds in the tube.

jlchucker · Post by **jlchucker** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:41 am

jeepnik wrote:
tman wrote:.22, .357, and 45-70. That's a really versatile outfit.
Add a 30-30, and you have everything from bunnies to polar bears covered. And with just four rounds. That can't be, cuz I've got way more than four different calibers, and I don't have it all covered yet

Everybody needs a 30-30 to go with their 22, 357 and 45-70. Your gun rack won't look complete without the whole package.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:31 pm

Looking forward to the 30-30 along with the .44 Marlin. Loaded some .45-70's last Friday with Guncase in Albany, tweeked in a 300 grain with 51 grains of IMR 4198. What a hoot!!

Got the Pachmayr Decelerator and installed it on Saturday. Waitin' for the rain to stop to go out and shoot, . . . . ahh Oregon!

Fun it the su . . . RAIN!!

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:52 am

15/June-2011
Thought I'd post an update. This post, question and solicitation seems meaningless now. A while back I picked up my 1894SS in 44 Mag and that completed

my Marlin set for now as I have all three.

I've worked, and continue to work, the actions and fire them puppies and had a blast in the process.

With everyones help and encouragement I've learned to take'em down to bare-bones and clean/fine tune them.

So, my three Marlins were in fact necessary as many of you suggested, "I'm feeling much better now, thank you!".

(Still looking for the '94 Winchester')

Oh yea, pictures . . . . when things slow down a bit and I'm off the road I'll take a few pics out by the wood pile!!

Chas. · Post by **Chas.** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:02 am

Now it's about time to start working on getting same-caliber single actions to go with them.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:45 am

Another success story here!

From non-reloading .22 shooter with a question about whether to buy a .45-70 or a .357 levergun; to a levergunner with both, PLUS a .44 Mag! Now add in reloads and searching for a .30WCF; yep, job well done guys!

"Enablers extraordinaire!" That's us!

But I still don't see the pics!!!