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Same here, Life long Ruger fan, especially the higher end/ custom/one-off/limited production stuff! Cant wait to see where Ruger takes things with Marlin, hoping they carry through and do a run of really nice, limited, higher end levers in the traditional styles and calibers! I would be very much in the market for something like the old Marlin 100 year anniversary 1895's especially with high grade wood and blued steal, a half round/half octagonal barreled .45/70 that can take modern pressure hand loads with ease! Would also love to see a more focused hunting rifle that takes the full size Stainless XLR and really knocks it outta the park with really good iron sights, muzzle brake, flat no shine finish, and and a full length magazine tube!Before "boutique" loadings from companies like Buffalo Bore all of the 45-70 ammo matched the original 45-70-405 loads at 12-1300fps. Mortar shells. The 444 Marlin used readily available 44 Magnum bullets and was loaded to higher pressures since there weren't any old guns in that cartridge, like the Trapdoors in 45-70.
The 450 Marlin was a neat thing, but it was only for non handloaders, as the rest of us had no trouble besting the original 45-70 loads. These days there are several options for much hotter 45-70 ammo. There never was a time I'd take a 444 over a 45-70.
Layne Simpson just did a review of the new Ruger/Marlin in Shooting Times. He compared it to a couple of earlier guns and had some nice things to say. Being a lifelong Ruger fan I honestly had no doubt the quality would be good. I'm not in the market for one of these new 1895s, but am looking forward to having a chance to give one a personal inspection. Well, as long as Ruger doesn't make a blued Guide Gun with a ported barrel, anyway.
And while were at it, offer up a limited run of Super Red Hawks in .454 Casull to match, Sign me up for all three!