The New Ruger made, Marlin 1895 SBL Lever Action 45-70 with 19 inch barrel, is now happily in my possession. The SBL stands for Stainless Big Lever.

It is a beautiful yet powerful rifle capable of all North American Big Game including, some experts say, Brown and Grizzly bear at closer range.

 My research finds its best use in thicker New England forests for deer, black bear and moose. A real thumper!  Bullets are flat pointed unless using Hornady Soft Polymer FTX bullets, 300 to 325 grains or MonoFlex Gilding Copper bullets at 250 grains. 

Upon opening the foam fitted and well protected rifle box, I was immediately impressed. I installed the hammer spur that was in the box, so I can add a scope and easily pull the hammer. 

Below, in the front of the barrel is a tritium front sight for low light shooting. 

Due to its common flat nose bullet design for tubular magazines, it best performs at modest distances out to 200 yards for thin skin game and closer for really big game. At 200 yards, the 300g FP bullets has about 1200 ft-lbs. of delivered energy for deer and black bear.

The 350 grain FP Hornady has a muzzle velocity of 1900 fps and delivers 2800 ft-lbs. at the muzzle and  1800 ft-lbs. at 100 yards for big bears, moose, elk and Bison. 

Soon my first shots will be the Hornady 250g MonoFlex gilding copper bullet which has a muzzle velocity of 2200 fps and maintains nearly 100% weight retention even at close range. Penetration is better than the 300g FP. I think this MonoFlex bullet is likely great black bear medicine producing a large exit wound.

We will see some range targets soon for accuracy testing…

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