Marlin 1894
 

I'm thinking of buying a Marlin 1894. I've always wanted a cowboy style rifle. Problem is that I'm not sure what caliber to get it in. I'm thinking between .45-70 Government, .45 Long Colt, and .44 Magnum.

I already have revolvers in .45 LC and .44 Mag. I'm interested in .45-70 though. I'd love to hear what everyone thinks about it.

The 45-70 is a model 1895. It is a big nasty round on both ends and expensive to shoot.

Unless you reload... its a baby 458 winmag. The upper curve of the marlin loadings hit the range in power where the lower end of the big 458 start. Fantastic deer and large north american game cartridge.

Ive got a 1895 marlin gbl. Fantastic gun. Capacity isnt that much compared to smaller pistol chamberings but you better not be recoil shy.

IMO, it all boils down to if you need the range of a 45-70,

and will use it.

I have no need for the extreme range offered by a 45-70, so

.44 Rem Mag is a good fit for me.

I like the 1894, because it's easier to scope than most

lever rifles, because of side ejection. Also great stock

furniture, if you get a nice one...

The 44 mag would be mighty fun to shoot with 44 specials in it. I've shot many of the Marlin 45/70's, they don't kick to bad especially if you use 300 or 350 grain bullets.

Yeah, I didn't even know about the .47-70 until I saw Hickock45 shoot one on his Youtube channel. It looked like a lot of fun. I looked up the price of rounds and you guys are right, they not cheap. The idea behind this gun it a fun gun for me. Still, you never know. I could use it as a trail gun too.

The nostalgia in me loves the idea of one in .45 LC to pair up with my Ruger Vaquero. The .44 Mag is the least interesting to me for some reason. I like the idea of the .45-70 since it's something new. I guess, I could always buy two?

[QUOTE=Polygon;970734]Yeah, I didn't even know about the .47-70 until I saw Hickock45 shoot one on his Youtube channel. It looked like a lot of fun. I looked up the price of rounds and you guys are right, they not cheap. The idea behind this gun it a fun gun for me. Still, you never know. I could use it as a trail gun too.

I could watch Hickock45 all day haha

Go for the 45-70 ;)
Tons of fun :D

I used to load for the Ruger #3. You could take a 405 grain to 2200fps. The Marlin wont handle the Ruger loads. The Marlin load was 1850 fps. I had loading data specifically for the #1 & #3.

1894 .44mag
 

I recently got a 1894 .44mag and its a hoot to shoot and probably the cheapest of the 3 you mentioned especially if you reload. Here's mine with a Leupold 2-7x33 scope mounted on it and my S&W 629 .44mag
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...s/SAM_1471.jpg http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...d/SAM_0506.jpg