Picked up a Henry Side Gate lever action 20” in 45-70

I've been wanting one since I sold my Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 a few years ago. I liked everything about the Marlin except the trigger, it was so thin at the tip that the recoil would cause the trigger to cut my finger. They were going for so much on Gunbroker that I could not turn down the temptation to sell mine.

So I have been looking for other Marlins since I sold mine and have been unable to find it. But, Henry produced a bunch of theirs recently and I got one. It's the brass receiver model with 20" barrel. My eyes are not great so I mounted a Burris 3-9 scope and took it to the range yesterday.

I looked through my ammo stash and found some hand loads I had made for the Marlin and shot those. It shot pretty well, got it on target at 25, fired a few at 50 then went out to 100. Did not have enough time to shoot for groups but it was about 1.5" at 100. I am pretty sure I can get that down if I work on loads, not sure if I will though. I want to shoot pigs with it and that suffices, if I want pinpoint accuracy I can shoot one of several other rifles (or my hunting handguns). Never even shot the factory Barnes ammo I bought with it.

There is just something about a lever action, the compact size, the nice brass receiver and engraved wood stock. I love lever actions.

I have a similar rifle, Henry brass receiver in 45-70. I put a set of skinner sights on it and dialed it in for 100 yds with the 405 grain Buffalo bore load. Kicks like a mule, but for 100 yds and in, its a sledgehammer! Glad you found another. Good luck with it, they are wonderful rifles!

Tiny Tim said:

I have a similar rifle, Henry brass receiver in 45-70. I put a set of skinner sights on it and dialed it in for 100 yds with the 405 grain Buffalo bore load. Kicks like a mule, but for 100 yds and in, its a sledgehammer! Glad you found another. Good luck with it, they are wonderful rifles!

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I still have some of Jae Bok Young's 550 grain hard cast Crater bullets (and loaded ammo). My next range trip I will get sighted in on those, I have always wanted to shoot a big boar hog with one of those.

Eventually I need to try those Skinner sights. I think the rifle looks better without a scope, I never did like the look on a lever action.

Mrvmax said:

I still have some of Jae Boo Young's 550 grain hard cast Crater bullets (and loaded ammo). My next range trip I will get sighted in on those, I have always wanted to shoot a big boar hog with one of those.

Eventually I need to try those Skinner sights. I think the rifle looks better without a scope, I never did like the look on a lever action.

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I think those bullets would do just fine. Alot of states don't allow non-expanding bullets for hunting. I understand their reasoning, but hard cast with a large flat meplat do incredible damage.

My eyes aren't what they used to be either. Have a hard time with the semi-buckhorn rear sights nowadays, but i can use the peep sights with interchangeable inserts just fine. I went with the Alaskan. Beautiful sight that compliments the rifle well. They are super knowledgeable and have a lot of information on their website.

I've taken critters with everything from rimfires to the heaviest magnums. However, when I look back through all of my photo albums, I can see that I've taken more game animals with the Marlin 1895SBL than anything else. Hogs, bears and deer just seems to fall over when those fat slugs are headed their way.

The Newfoundland bear in my avatar was taken with my favorite (bear) bullet, the Speer 400gr FP @ 1,700 fps.

Tiny Tim said:

I think those bullets would do just fine. Alot of states don't allow non-expanding bullets for hunting. I understand their reasoning, but hard cast with a large flat meplat do incredible damage.

My eyes aren't what they used to be either. Have a hard time with the semi-buckhorn rear sights nowadays, but i can use the peep sights with interchangeable inserts just fine. I went with the Alaskan. Beautiful sight that compliments the rifle well. They are super knowledgeable and have a lot of information on their website.

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Since I am hunting feral hogs, there is no restrictions on bullet type. Hogs are pretty stout and I have shot them with 300 Win Mag without killing them so I want to see what the 45-70 does.

Mrvmax said:

Since I am hunting feral hogs, there is no restrictions on bullet type. Hogs are pretty stout and I have shot them with 300 Win Mag without killing them so I want to see what the 45-70 does.

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Was hog hunting several years ago in TX. One of the guys in our group killed two with one shot out of a Marlin 45-70. Through and through on both. Another Beautiful rifle.

Mrvmax said:

Since I am hunting feral hogs, there is no restrictions on bullet type. Hogs are pretty stout and I have shot them with 300 Win Mag without killing them so I want to see what the 45-70 does.

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Large boars are really tough. I shot a 300lb boar behind the shoulder with the 400gr Speer. The bullet went completely through both shields and was caught in the off-side hide. The bullet measured 90 cal when it was recovered and remained intact.

That boar ran over 100yds through the swampy woods and crossed a narrow stream before he gave up the ghost. It's just amazing how much lead they can take.