1895 prepped for deer season, boar and Alaska?

12025 Views 48 Replies 13 Participants Last post by lester, Dec 27, 2012

LAKE

Discussion Starter · Oct 16, 2012

I recently traded my High Standard 1911A1 FS w/ammo for a like new Marlin 1895 45-70. The gun is stock w/a 22" blued barrel and 4 shot mag tube. It has a BSA Deerhunter 1.5 scope on it.

I was wondering what I would need to add/change/customize in order to get it in fighting condition for an eventual Alaska trip my friend and I want to take. I'm talking everything from finding a longer mag tube to sling, butt cuff ammo carrier, replacement sights, ammo, etc.

I'd also like to try it out deer hunting here in TN or boar hunting in TX. Any thoughts on ammo and acessories or mods would be greatly appreciated. I LOVE this rifle and realize that there are different variants, barrel lengths, and such but--for now--this model is what I have to work with (unless someone local wants to do some trading).

I took it camping this past weekend and ran a box of shells through it. It beat the **** out of my shoulder but I loved every second of it (I guess I'm a 5'7" 165lbs masochist). I also have an STG-58 FAL clone that I love to shoot so maybe I just like the bruising that goes along with big caliber rifles?

(to be honest, the 45-70 didn't actually bruise my shoulder...but I did cut my nose on the scope with the first shot, which is what happens when you don't get eye relief that properly respects the recoil!)

Thanks for all your help!
J

PS: I've seen the SBL/STP variants of the 1895 and they look awesome but I don't have the money for them now and have been told that stainless can make aiming difficult in sunlight alongwith alerting your prey to your position.

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Donner

· #5 · Oct 17, 2012

Maybe get a bear proof ejector from Wild West Guns in AK. If you like open sights take a look at Brockman arpeture sights. The only people who can break them work for Fed Ex. If you would rather have a low power scope as I do, Get an XS scout scope rail mounted on your rifle and then you can mount a traditional scope just a little farther ahead. (enough not to get scoped) Otherwise you are limited by the scope turrets and the placement of the rings in the pre-drilled holes in the rec. Also load up some 525 grain piledrivers from beartooth bullets. They have a recomended load that will shoot lengthwise through a moose but hold on to your hat.

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Donner

· #16 · Oct 18, 2012

I'd skip the extended mag tube. It just adds weight that you don't really need on a hunting rifle. The factory powder puff loads from Rem. and Win. will do fine for every thing you might hunt in America. The Hornady gummy tips turn up the heat a little. Alaska is a different story to some extent. Moose aren't all the tuff, just big, they take time to blead out, brown bears are tough, however a double lung shot bear with just about anything will surely die. I would rather shoot through both front shoulders is why I mentioned the 525 grain piledrivers. Don't worry about the finish on your gun. You won't ruin it on one trip unless you douse it in sea water.(very likely to happen along the coast).
Put a Pachmayre decelerator pad on it. It's still gonna kick if you stoke it.

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