[Stranger]

Seems like Marlin's newest rifle, the 1895 Cowboy with the 26" octagon barrel (long backordered in these parts)comes pretty close to being the ultimate, do-it-all rifle. Except, perhaps, for varmint shooting and shooting at long ranges.

It's capable of being lightly loaded for mild CAS loads for fun and plinking all the way to loads equivalent to Garrett's 540g Hammerheads which are quite capable of harvesting the largest game on earth.

Is this a complete battery rolled into a single rifle?

 

[Stranger]

In fact, let's take this "thought experiment" one step further...

If you were on an African Safari and your ONLY rifle was a Marlin 1895CB (or similar) chambered for the 45-70 what kind of loads would you develop for hunting the African "Big Five?"

 

[Stranger]

What about that extra 4" in barrel length? Does that make any difference in squeezing every last bit of performance out of the 45-70?

Also, wouldn't you want something heavier for elephant?

 

[Stranger]

Thanks Marshall. I read, more and more, that Marlin lever actions are not such an unusual sight on African dangerous game hunts anymore.

I don't think I'll ever get to have this kind of an adventure but it's always fun to daydream about the possibilities.