Marlin 1895 Ltd Ed IV 45-70

[WARD O]

Hi all,
My local gun pusher has on his racks a Marlin 1895 Ltd Ed IV 45-70. I am unfamiliar with this Ltd Ed IV stuff.... can someone explain it to me?

It appears to be what I know as the cowboy - long octagon barrel with straight grip in 45-70 caliber. This one is currently sporting a Williams 5D receiver sight with a tall front sight. The original sights are missing. It also has a pad - it's thick and all black and looks nice on the gun. The action is quite smooth and the trigger is nice and crisp - leads me to believe it's had some work done. It has some rather nice figure in the buttstock, otherwise this gun would pass for new condition.

He wants $499 but I think he'll go $450 - I've got it on hold cause it looks like I should own it... Any negative thoughts on this deal?

Thanks
Ward

[EDK]

IIRC it is one of a series produced for Davidson's...the big wholesaler. I don't remember the time frame it was produced, but they preceeded the 1895 Cowboy that is the current production gun.

I've got one with a pistol grip stock...bought used before the Cowboy came out...that someone put a sling swivel in the buttstock.

A NEW 1895 Cowboy would run you a bunch of $$ more. I'd be inclined to buy this one as a shooter because of price plus the improved sights and trigger tuning. Without the box and papers, there is a diminished collector value...BIG DEAL! BUT at $450 to $499, it is still a good deal for a shooter.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[badgeredd]

IMHO, EDK said it all!

Go for it!

Edd

[dubber123]

My Cowboy was over $700, and I had to tune the trigger. Sounds like a good deal to me.

[stubshaft]

If'n you don't get it now. You'll regret it later...

[Irascible]

Be glad the recoil pad is there. My Cowboy model is extremely light (even more after I shortened the barrel by 2") and kicks like a mule. It is a nice accurate gun though and being light it's a joy to carry. I shot a nice Black Bear in Quebec with it. Used a 350gr Truncated Nose cast bullet from an Old West mould at 1800 fps. I equipped mine with a Pachmayr sporting Clays Decelerator pad, a Williams receiver sight and a green fiber optic ft bead, works great in the woods.

[WARD O]

Thanks to all for the good information. My dealer accepted the $450 (plus taxes of course) so it is now mine. I spent some time cleaning the bore last night. The previous owner must have been shooting jacketed bullets as the cleaning patches kept coming out blue/green in color. Now it is shiny and bright!

This rifle is 24" octagon and on my scale weighs 7#3oz while the cowboy rifle is listed as 26" and 8# on Marlins web site. This must be a lighter contour barrel as well as being 2" shorter. I do like the balance and weight of this rifle. I am glad the pad is already on cause I have an idea it will be appreciated later!

Anyone want to offer any advice as to a good white tail load?

I think eventually I will burn a little Black in it just cause it seem like the right thing to do!

Ward

[9.3X62AL]

Ward, I think you did VERY well on that rifle. My Ruger #1 weighs about the same as your Marlin, and you are correct about that recoil pad--it will pay dividends if you run "Marlin-potential" loads through it.

I've owned two of the 1895 Marlins so far, and now the #1--and overall, I think the 1873-level load of a 400 grain-class boolit at 1300-1350 FPS is about the most useful and easiest to make accurate in this caliber. Loads of this intensity don't require a gas check design, just size your boolits to fit the throat and all should be well. These loads are cheep to produce, too--28.0 to 30.0 grains of IMR/H-4198 will work. These can be shot all day, too.

[WARD O]

For the last several years I have been hunting with my Shiloh Sharps 45-70 shooting a 480 grain 30-1 bullet over 65 grains of 2F at around 1250 fps. I have seen that this load will shoot clean thru most anything I choose - including a 1200# bison. Recoil is also very comfortable. I intend to load up a bunch of 400 grain flatpoints I have on hand over a mild charge of Unique for around 1300 fps and will see how they shoot in this Marlin. I think this will be a fun load for plinking and practice and maybe even hunting. But I am still looking for good advice from those with more experience in this area.

Ward

[9.3X62AL]

Ward, that #1's best load ever was the Lee 405 in 30/1 atop 55.0 grains of Goex 2F. It went into 1.25"/10 shots/100 yards. I have a couple smokeless loads that will meet that standard, but none that will beat it consistently.

[WARD O]

Do you want to share info on your favorite smokeless loads?

[WHITETAIL]

Word O, Congrats on the gun!
From what I have read, the 405gr. RCBS
boolet was made for the Marlin guns.
And yes the IMR 4198 works well in them.
I have shot that powder with great results.
3 shots tuching at 100 yards.
I am hooked on the Cowboy.:redneck:

[little bill]

I think that everyone that owns a 45/70 should invest in the book "forty years with the 45/70" by paul mathews. It's a great book for info. on 45/70 loads and cast bullet selections. little bill

[45r]

I get very good groups in my highwall 45-70 using the rcbs 300GC and 49.2 grains Vitt-133.Pretty much in the same hole.Plan to try this load in a Marlin SBL if they ever bring it out and it isn't too expensive.The rcbs 300 is shooting so well I'm temted to get the 405GC also just to have a mid weight boolit to go with my 480 saeco that is very accurate also,30.0 grains 5744 shoots well also and is easy on your shoulder.51 grains 4895 shot well also and didn't kick as much as the Vitt load.If you are going for a deer load the 300 is plenty fast and all you really need.