Marlin Guide Gun 45-70

BloodGroove4570

BloodGroove4570

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
1,691
Ok folks here the deal, just picked up a Marlin guide gun and want to mount a scout scope setup, Ive been looking at Leatherwood 2x7, Burris 2.75x and Leupold 2.5x. Does anyone here have guide guns or similar with scout scopes? I need opinions especially about the Leatherwood... Thanks for your time...:D
 
I wouldn't run a scout scope, I've never cared for them. Get a good scope with good eye relief and you'll be fine. I'd look at the Burris or the Leupold over the Leatherwood.

Congrats on the 1895G, I've been a big fan of those for a long time. I don't know why the heck I don't buy one, compared to AR builds they're like free. :D
 
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I have a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag with a XS Scout Rail set up with a 2.5 fixed LER scope. My plan was to go with the Leupold 2.5 LER Scout scope but kind of ran out of money (well, got a killer deal on a S&W 696 44 spl and spent my scope money, but thats another story) and bought a Barkil (sic) 2x0 LER scope. The rifle is tight and fast and that combo is a great compromise for an all around rifle. As for scopes, the Leupold is proven on the 1895GG but I'm not sure about the Burris or Leatherwood. Also, is Leatherwood actually making the scopes or are they being imported under their name?
 
I have been using a 45-70 for quite a while. The guide model sure makes for a fun rifle. The best modification you can do is put a big loop lever on it. It will allow you to wear thick gloves for the winter and when not wearing gloves the recoil won't pinch your fingers.

What kind of ammunition are you running through it? Some guide models won't shoot lead bullets very well because of the type of rifling. Lead will clog up the rifling too quick and it will degrade accuracy quickly. I have been using 420gr lead cast out of mine but have also been reloading shot shells. It is like having a .410 shotgun as well as rifle....maybe a great survival rifle?

For scopes I ran a Nikon 2x mounted forward of the receiver. It worked fantastic. I have never ran a Leatherwood so I can't speak about their clarity. I stopped using Leupold because they would keep breaking on me. I never used one on my 45-70 but got tired of their wire reticles breaking from my .338's. The cheap Nikon never missed a beat on the lever gun.

I recently switched my Nikon out for an Eotech. I am glad I did. I can shoot with a quicker recovery time and can still shoot out to 300yds accurately. It runs on AA batteries just like the rest of my electronics. People may mock you at the range but I guarantee it will work fantastic. Realistically the 45-70 can be accurate but in a guide model you probably won't be shooting past 300yards. Hitting the kill zone is the priority, not threading the needle.
 
I am going for the big loop soon enough but dont need it quite yet, i plan on doing a bunch of little tweaks and upgrades to mak it exactly what i want. We all know how time plays into it though. The reason for the scout scope is i already have the scount mount and peep sights on it but want glass to be able to go on/off when needed and i like the look. As far as ammo Partisan ive been shootin Garrett 420 Hammerheads +P. Might just as well shoot the best, besides i love to watch peoples reactions when they go off whether they are shooting it or just in the area...:eek::D:thumbup:
 
I have a one of the SBL models of this gun and have a leupold vx-3 1.5-5x on top of it at first I had the scope back too far and learned the hard way what recoil from 420gr bullet going 2000 fps can do to you... have a nice little scar near my right eye... I have since moved farther forward... great guns though I have had 2 guide guns so far and they are one of my favorite rifles.
 
BloodGroove4570 said:
I am going for the big loop soon enough but dont need it quite yet, i plan on doing a bunch of little tweaks and upgrades to mak it exactly what i want. We all know how time plays into it though. The reason for the scout scope is i already have the scount mount and peep sights on it but want glass to be able to go on/off when needed and i like the look. As far as ammo Partisan ive been shootin Garrett 420 Hammerheads +P. Might just as well shoot the best, besides i love to watch peoples reactions when they go off whether they are shooting it or just in the area...:eek::D:thumbup:
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wow I would have never though of putting an eotech on my guide gun... thats an awesome idea!
 
Robtheman1983 said:
I have a one of the SBL models of this gun and have a leupold vx-3 1.5-5x on top of it at first I had the scope back too far and learned the hard way what recoil from 420gr bullet going 2000 fps can do to you... have a nice little scar near my right eye... I have since moved farther forward... great guns though I have had 2 guide guns so far and they are one of my favorite rifles.
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Hey Rob, dont take the 45-70 and your RC5 both in the woods you might not make it out...LOL just kidding. Hows the hand doin anyway???:D
 
this is from the zombie thread but here is my Marlin 1895 SBL and just where I placed the scope on it

gJLek.jpg
 
Robtheman1983 said:
this is from the zombie thread but here is my Marlin 1895 SBL and just where I placed the scope on it

gJLek.jpg
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Yeah buddy that looks good. What peeps do you have on there. I have a set of williams but want to change for xs ghost winged, i like them alot. I dont have the full length scout base only the scout mount its just back to the front base holes but i like the scope setup you have there, i really waant a variable. How much eye relief on that 1 you have there any idea?
 
Hey Rob do you get a full sight picture with that mounted there or do you have to creep up a little? If you dont have to creep i think you just solved my dilemma.
 
hi, on my guide gun i went with the xs scout mount and the burris scout scope, with the xs winged ghost rings and a drc big loop lever. it was a great shooter very fast on pigs and deer.

hard to beat xs's customer service too just call them up and they will answer any questions you have.

take it easy
cricket
 
The irons are xs lever rail with ghost rings. The scope works with no creep up to 3x if i go up to 5x I have to get a little closer to the scope.
 
adaman04 said:
Congrats on the 1895G, I've been a big fan of those for a long time. I don't know why the heck I don't buy one, compared to AR builds they're like free. :D
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Yeah but the ammo $ will bust yer nads!

I love Marlin and the guide gun and the .45-70, but man, I dont see any need for it for me. especially with the price of .45-70. I do want a good 336C though.
 
handload. Everyone told me it would be cheaper but in reality, you just shoot more. Of course for me that is a bonus.
 
Just to echo some of the others.

I have the 1895 SBL and a SDT (Davidson Variant) in 45-70 and 30-30. As Colt and others have said the XS scout system works very well. I have a Leupold on one and the Burris on the other.
I also have a Burris scout set up on my Ruger Frontier in 7mm-.08. I like the scout set up. I would go with quick release ring/mount so you have the ability to dump the scope fast if need be. Can't help with the Leatherwood. When looking at scopes the EER is important but so is FOV.

On the ammo side of the fence take a look at the Hornady Leverevolution ammo. in 325 grain. And I believe they are coming out with a lighter bullet in the 225/250 grain weight. But you can also load up some heavyweights just hang on.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Yeah but the ammo $ will bust yer nads!

I love Marlin and the guide gun and the .45-70, but man, I dont see any need for it for me. especially with the price of .45-70. I do want a good 336C though.
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Partisan has it. I’d never think of owning a .45-70 if I wasn’t loading for it. Straight wall cartridges are easy to load and you could buy a simple Lee single stage kit and a set of .45-70 dies for around $100 if you shop for sales. That would pay for itself in less than 5 boxes of ammo. Also, the ability to load them down to a lighter load for recreation is a big bonus.

Jake I've been on an AR habit as of late that I really need to ween down. They're fun guns but man, even on a budget build I end up with more in them than I intend. Rifles are da debil, buy a gun and spend as much in optics. That's how I justify handgun purchases. "Hey I don't have to put optics on it." :D

It sure isn’t whiz-bang tactical, but something about a bullet in the 350-500 gr. range just says “go away”. :D
 
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