Time for new rifle. Have 3 picked need opinions.
 

So it time to up grade my old rifle, don't want to but after seeing eye doctor and the state of my eyes iv decided a new rifle is in line for me, sadly one I can scope. So iv basically decided on 3.
Zastava m98 (m70) in 375 h&h left hand
Savage 11/111 trophy hunter xp 300 win mag left hand
Marlin 1895 gbl. 45/70
I rarely take shots over 250 yards most under 100 and fair amount at 20 to 40 yards. I hunt in mostly bush and its snap shots. So a scope option also be helpfull for close shots mostly were I don't have to worry to much about how close my eye to to scope. Errr longer eye relief I think it's called. Not sure all the proper scope terms. All ways been a iron sight guy.
And yes iv shot all those calibers before, recoil is not a problem, just my eyes.
Right now I use
A mosin if hunting open area
Sks for bush
And my 870 for bush ( slugs or buck)
Scoping any of my current rifles isn't really a option. And definitely not scoping the shotgun. Although a canter levered barrel for the 870 with sabots I quess could work but then I couldn't get those tasty rabbits unless I barrel swapped and I don't think swapping a barrel will work if I see a rabbit.
Thanks for any input..
And yes I'm left handed. So any other rifles that might be mentioned would have to have a LH option.

45-70

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What about slugs and throw a saddle mount with scope on the 870?

IIRC you can still see the bead for close in rabbits and you retain smooth bore albeit with the choke limitations.

Some range limit but might work for bush work

45-70 gets my vote too.

That savage in a 111 is gunna hurt

Just curious, to each their own but what are you hunting? Buffalo?
Lol

I’d pick the 45-70

Naw.. Well maybe if the chance ever happened. Just like a heavy round to bust though bush.

Go with the 375 H&H the 45 70 is a putz in comparison. The accuracy from the Zastava will be superb.

If you feel the need for your own personal hand cannon that would be my choice.

I have a Savage 116 and it is a good gun. Reliable and accurate.
Is any reason why you want it in 300WM. For deer and elk at these distances you might want to step down to a 270 or a 30-06.

If you want to convert your 870 to a slug gun, I have a Burris fastfire speedbead system for sale which might help.

375 H&H. Very versatile cartridge. Low power scope, something like 1.5-6 power for the ranges stated.

You must hate your shoulder but to each their own lol. Almost all my hunting is close range thick bush and have no issues with smaller or mid range calibers.

Personally I would go for a marlin 30-30 over a 45/70 but out of the 3 you listed I would say the Marlin 45/70. Just my opinion but from your choices I think we have different taste in firearms

I have to say that when you scope your rifle, have a look at the Leupold vx3i. I’ve had quite a few scopes over the years but I gotta say the new Leupolds have a very forgiving eyebox and generous eye relief. For a Hunting scope I think they are the best bang for the buck.

45-70 with ghost ring peep sights or an ocher &pouch with a 1 x 4 ... consider a 9.3 x 62 as it can give you up to 95% of the ouch and ouch with just a hard push ... have played with 375's and a 416 rugby and the 9.3 x 62 is a great compromise... cheers drw

I've got a scoped Marlin 45-70 at home, its nicer on my shoulder than the Savage 111 in 300wm I sold. 45-70 is very easy to reload and components are readily available too, it gets my vote.

My marlin 45/70sbl with a scope....you had more of a chin weld compared to a cheek weld to the stock. Made it fair uncomfortable to shoot with the scope as you pretty much just hovered your head close to the rifle.

Just my observations

My gosh. Never expected so many responses. Thank you for all the input and scope Info.
Looking like the 45/70 is the clear favorite. Followed by the 375 h&h. Will be Taking a trip down to Cabelas at end of the month i think to grab one. Any more scope info be great for the Marlin, would be most welcome. And once again Thank you so much everyone for the information.
And no I don't hate my shoulder. I just enjoy a big boom stick. Part of it is in my head makes me feel more confident, but I just enjoy bigger calibers in the end..

Because you say you take snap shots at close range and you seem to like the harder hitting calibers, may I suggest a slight change in your thinking on what new gun to purchase.
I think a short 20" long barreled rifle with a low power scope such as a 1.5x5 or even up to a 3x9, keeping it turned down to its lower magnification will be fine and make for an easy carrying, fast pointing rifle. As to the cartridge while the relatively new .375 Ruger should fit your needs perfectly. It is the ballistic twin to the 375 H&H but fits standard length actions.
Ruger just happens to make this rifle and Prophet River has one in stock.
https://store.prophetriver.com/ruger...-lh-left-hand/


Jim

Well since you like your 870 so much, why not get a Remington 760/ 7600 in
30/06 carbine model (18” barrel) to scope. Same action and safety and everything you’re used to on the 870. Has detachable mag, accurate with a scope, not the best triggers but they do make kits for them. That’s what I see being best for what you painted as your hunting style.

If you’re set on the big bores, my vote be a 45/70.

For what you want the 45-70 is a great choice. Can be loaded lighter so they don't hardly kick but still kill great. very proficient to the 200-250 yard distance with a scope. Open sites are fast but anything over 100 yards is a real challenge unless you have perfect eyesight. When it is dawn or dusk you will really appreciate the scope. I run a 1.5 x5 with a Bonne And Crocket reticle on mine and it is fast on target in the bush, gathers great light and makes 250 yard shots very doable. I have an 18" barreled one that is well tuned, with Skinner sights and scoped will consistently shoot 1/2" 3 shot groups at 100 yards. Gun is in as new condition. PM me is you are interested.

https://i.imgur.com/2Z8ODv1l.jpg

The best opinion is your own go get the one your gut tells you to.
Truth is in reality there is few cartridges that wont do what your looking for well
So pick the rifle you like best not the cartridge

My go to is my Rem 600, .350 Rem Mag.

I have shot this rifle, and I must say, in my opinion, it is the perfect scope/gun combination for a 45-70. If Dean would sell it, which is what I think he was implying, then you should dang well buy it. You'd be a fool not too. You will not find a better one ever, and it is proven super duper accurate.

scope choice
 

My son uses a Leupold 2.5 power long eye relief scope mounted forward. He uses it with both eyes open. I really like it for the bush.

Marlin 1895s are surprisingly accurate rifles. I've owned several and currently have two. All of them could or can shoot at least 3 of 5 shots touching at 100m. It's a matter of deciding which model feels best. My preference is the 22" classic with a Skinner peep and the factory front bead.

Colin

Edit - just looked at Dean's target photo again. Maybe my 3 shots aren't as closely touching as his. That's just darn good shootin'.

Thank you all. I have picked a rifle, from a member. Decided to go the 45/70 route.
Probably try find a low power 1.5x5 scope after.
Once again thank you all

I like the 45-70 myself, and have a good Marlin. Buy an older JM Marlin if you can, preferably a pre cross bolt safety gun. I have heard the quality declined somewhat on the new guns, with a really bad run on the new ones just after the Remington buy out. I'd maybe even look for one from the 70s.

What happened is; the machinery to make the guns has been wearing out for decades, and there were no blue prints to make a Marlin rifle. They were all hand fitted. After they bought out the factory, they had worn out equipment, and moved the factory to another city, and had no old Marlin craftsmen.

Sounds like perhaps the new ones now may be better. Remington had to start from scratch and draw up blueprints starting with the 336 style guns. They now have a dedicated Marlin factory within a factory.

I have a low mounted Nikon "Slug Hunter" on mine, but it is still a bit high on a straight grip gun. Look for a semi pistol grip gun as there is less drop at the "comb" and the butt stock is aligned closer with the bore. I like 2-7 power, and find that 2 is very quick on target. If you look up the scope specs, you'll find eye relief. Then when you mount it mount just far enough forward that you start to see the black ring starting to bracket the view; this forces you to align the scope (as you aim) to nullify parallax errors.

A peep sight like a Skinner may help you also.

Do you reload? The price on factory 45-70 is quite high now. Nice to be able to buy cast or pour your own as well.

The 45-70 is cool, but I like a bolt action that shoots without too much drop after 150 yards, the 45-70 is not the best 250-300 yard option.

Alternatively, a Tikka hunter ins 9.3x62 or 338WM would be great. I did own a lefty tikka 9.3x62, only sold it as I bought a Steyr lefty, regardless the 9.3 and 338 will have heaps of knockdown power as you seem to like bigger calibers. The 338 has better availability than the others.

The 350RM would be cool too, but hard to find in a lefty.

I've owned a savage 16, didnt love it, tried to, the tang safety no going all the way to off and me missing out on an epic elk was the deal breaker. The Tikka was great, I now use a steyr full stock model M in 9.3 with a 2.5-10x50 Prostaff7 scope, its perfect and I really love it, took moose and whitey with it already this season.