Guide Gun Caliber Decission

[300WSM]

To those that probably know tonnes more than I'll forget.

I'm looking for a lever action Marlin guide gun. Stainless, laminate. Mostly to add to collection, but intend to use.

My question is mostly on caliber. Which caliber out their offered will provide me with maximum point blank stopping power on say a grizz, but also be able to shoot max 300 yrds to just hunt with to negate taking more than one gun.

So far I'm leaning to 45/70

All comments welcome, thanks in advance.

300

[300WSM]

444 , 45/70 and 450 are my choices I think

[Cordur]

45/70 if you reload. The .450 was put out for those who wanted more ooompphh than factory loaded 45/70

Personally though I'd buy a .444 just because it is a caliber that has survived despite the odds.

[ACKLEY ABE]

I'd go with the 45/70, but 300 yards is a heck of a shot for any cartridge loaded in a Guide Gun....and yes I've heard the Story of Adobe Wells and I do have experience with a few 45/70's including long bbl bolt action rifles.

I'm not a fan of brakes on anything (well 'cept for my vehicles) and now the guide gun can be had without.

.444 is cool too. I've never shot a Marlin in 45/70 or 444 that did not shoot well. Let us know what you end up with.

[Canuck44]

I went with 45/70 gg and love mine, but you are kidding yourself if you think that a guide gun in any caliber is a 300yrd gun, 150 yrds is realistic, 200 yrds pushing the limit in my opinion. This is with hot handloads at velocities you can't buy from the store. Store bought ammo likely has slightly less range due to the lower velocities unless using the hornady pointed bullets that have the higher bc.

With a 100 yrd zero the federal 300 gr factory ammo has a drop of over 41 inches at 300 yrds. With a 200 yrd zero the drop is 24" at 300 yrds, 71" at 400yrds, 146" at 500yrds. Sort of like throwing a baseball.

[Matt L.]

I donn't think a GG would be a good 300yd gun because of the short barrel(I;m not an expert just what I've heard). Also that thing will kick worse than a mule and sound like a howitzer lol. Personally I would go with either the 1895 or the 1895 Cowboy.

[300WSM]

It can't be that unrealistic if Cabellas makes a scope specific for a lever action that with a certain grain bullet has a ballistic compensation in it out to 300yrds. Kind of like the Nikon BDC.

I added that part of the post to help me decide so I don't have to take 2 guns if I want to take a pure short range defender. It will be the 12 gauge slug gun no doubt and it is accurate (proven) out to 225 yrds. I wanted something that if a guy had an elk or a ram out at 300 it is a possibility.

Sometimes closing the distance is not an option, terrain, wind whatever.

[eric2381]

45-70, but handload for it. The factory loads are loaded way down, and suck. The heavier bullets (400 gr+) are the way to go. That Guide Gun will buck like heck, and it's a poor choice at 300 yds. For close up bear hunting over bait, they're awesome. Good luck, Eric

[Grizzlyman1980]

I Have a Stainless Steel 45-70 Marlin Lever Action for hiking ,Fishing up here in Northern B.C ,Just in case i stumble upon a Mean ole' Grizzly and ,i love it,I would put Ghost Sights IF I were you,quicker to pull on a Bear if its in close quaters,Cheers,all i use is 325 grain Leverrevoulution Hornady ,i have mine sighted at 100 yrds,all you need if its for Protection,Cheers,GrizzlyMan1980

[Matt L.]

Originally Posted by 300WSM

It can't be that unrealistic if Cabellas makes a scope specific for a lever action that with a certain grain bullet has a ballistic compensation in it out to 300yrds. Kind of like the Nikon BDC.

I added that part of the post to help me decide so I don't have to take 2 guns if I want to take a pure short range defender. It will be the 12 gauge slug gun no doubt and it is accurate (proven) out to 225 yrds. I wanted something that if a guy had an elk or a ram out at 300 it is a possibility.

Sometimes closing the distance is not an option, terrain, wind whatever.

When you say it is proven to 225yds, are you talking about the GG or a 45-70 in general? Personally for hunting with a possibility of longer shots I would go with a longer barrel. Another thing to think of is that with less recoil you're probably going to be more willing to practice with it.

[sbtennex]

.45-70 hands down. I own both it and the .444, and though the numbers are fairly close, there's a substantial difference between .458 and .429 calibers at roughly the same speed. If you're not a handloader, find somebody who is or get your hands on a Lee Loader in .45-70. It's fun, educational and can build surprisingly consistent ammo that for defense purposes is plenty accurate enough with power to spare. The GG is a pretty strong action. In low light a low power scope is the ticket, easier to use than any type of aperture and that's why I replaced the Williams peep I had on mine for a 2 3/4X Widefield. A frontal shot inside of 75 yards on any bear with a 350 gr Hornady at around 2050 fps (not difficult in a GG) will always have awesome effect (compared to about 1700-1725 with a 325 gr in a LeveRevolution). The 3 left in the tube is a big comfort and quick to unload if needed. Ported barrels are not for me. When you NEED to use a gun like this, you won't feel recoil, and the added flash and noise aren't a good thing. I'd make sure it was wearing a Decelerator or Limbsaver though - getting rid of the red brick that was on my .444 and replacing with a prefit Decelerator totally changed the "shooter-friendliness" of the gun and ended the scope-on-the-bridge-of-the-nose problem with heavyweight 300 gr loads! For any modern GG in .45-70, 56.5 - 57.0 grs IMR 3031 pushing the 350 jacketed FN Hornady is something to be reckoned with.

[depopulator]

I would also suggest the 45-70 - hands down IMO. Also, with Hornady's LeverEvolution ammo (and hopefully someday bullets for reloading), I think 300yards is becoming more of a reality with a Marlin GG-type rifle, but a scope would be a necessity for this type of shooting. Would I put a scope on a GG lever rifle ? Never:, it totally ruins the compactness and handling of the rifle - only a mad dog or an Vespa-driving Englishman would scope a GG.

[300WSM]

Matt the 225 yrd proven is with my slug gun. I still am amazed and if I didn't shoot it myself would call bs

Finally depop, were you saving the planet? Mmmm Vespa, not a bad idea, ahhh but I'm not english!

Just looking for a toy to maybe use one day. I just don't believe a peep is accurate enough past 50 yrds. Have looked a the leverammo and it may be an option.

But definitely considering getting into reloading though.

300

[Chargerguy]

I have the GG in 450 marlin and shoot 325 Grain Hornady Lever Evolution. I can easily hit my target at 200 yards kneeling, but the buckhorn is a little crude at that range. I am zeroed at 100 yards, and roughly 5 inches low at 200. I have not attempted 300, but would in a second with better sights...I'll see how the Ghost Ring performs soon.

The latest craze - "everybody that's never seen a grizz wants a grizz gun"

300WSM. no really as I see it , your questions is absolutely idiotic. It's been asked so many times and answered so many times that I could stick a knife in my neck if I see yet one more time. Caliber is not the question, thickness of diaper would be more like it, how much crap can you hold in your pants. I've had many encounters with grizzes, and I am extremely fortunate to be able to relate back to you. My last experience was in the Yukon, September 19th, 2007, I was packing a .375 H&H loaded with 300 gr. TSX. I knew that it was potent medicine for a moose. Ask me how I felt facing that bruiser? Like a zit, so please don't even go there. "Cause I don't care if you're packing a .577 TRex.....do you have the balls to make shot placement. And grizze's as they may not tell you, have a wicked slow heart beat which gives them plenty of time into smorg. Truly, the best defense against a grizz, believe it not is.............bear spray.

[depopulator]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

.....I am extremely fortunate to be able to relate back to you.

based on your response, I think that is debateable...

Great, another self proclaimed grizz expert. Whew, we were all waiting....

[Canuck44]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

The latest craze - "everybody that's never seen a grizz wants a grizz gun"

I wouldn't say they are exclusively grizz guns, my 45/70 gg is my go to gopher gun, the cast loads are as cheap as my 22 mag was to shoot and it is very effective on the little buggers and has a similar range and trajectory. It also works good for squirrels, magpies and grouse. I have been looking to shoot some skunks with it as well but havn't had the opportunity. Sort of a sort range varmit gun.

[huntinstuff]

I have never felt undergunned with my 444. And we go after griz.

This year however, I took a short double barrelled 12g. I figured I could miss at 25ft with a 444..........I don't believe I could miss at 25ft with the 12g.

If you reload, go with the 45-70. If you don't reload, use the 444. No matter what you carry, it will seem too small if you do encounter a griz. But have faith in your nerves and rifle. Chances are, a griz encounter will turn into a nothing encounter if you keep a cool head. Prevention is the thing.

And just for the record, "gitrdun" has had his share of griz encounters.

[Matt L.]

If a person's goin' to be really paranoid 'bout grizzlies why not get a Karelian Bear Dog? They're all good calibres really and I think you'll be happy with whatever ya choose.