Recreating the "Jurassic World" Gun, Correct Chambering or No?

[shotgunshooter3]

TL;DR: I am planning to recreate a movie gun that was in .45-70, but am considering the .30-30 variant for cheaper ammo and to use my .30 cal can.

It's long been a goal of mine to put together a loose recreation of the gun that Chris Pratt's character carried in "Jurassic World:" a Marlin 1895 SBL in .45-70 equipped with a silver finished Leupold optic of some sort. No real objective reason, besides I like the Jurassic Park/World series (even forgiving the not so great more recent entries). I had already decided to deviate from the movie gun because the optic was mounted on see through rings (remember those?), and I'm pretty sure it was a scout scope improperly mounted. My personal plan is a silver finished Leupold of the 2-7 or similar variety (even if I need to have it Cerakoted), in QD rings.

When Remington sent Marlin into the toilet, I resigned myself to the fact that unless I stumbled upon a good deal or hit the lottery, I was likely not going to be able to pursue the project. Enter Ruger buying the brand, and reintroducing a well thought out rendition of the 1895 SBL, with some thoughtful updates (such as threaded muzzle). Excellent! Now all I need to do is wait for a good sale price.

Recently however, it has come to my attention that Ruger has also brought back the 336, and along with it a 336 SBL model set up EXACTLY like their 1895 SBL. Between .30-30 ammo still being (for some reason) plentiful, and about half the cost of .45-70 ammo, I was rightfully intrigued. When you also factor in that I can use my existing 30 cal suppressor if I so desired, the intrigue increases even more. The MSRP on the guns is the same, so the price consideration is purely for ammo and ammo availability.

So, since I am varying from the movie gun in its minute details anyway, should I consider varying to the other chambering as well? The main purpose would be for the novelty, with secondary use as a hunting rifle.

The guns in question: https://www.marlinfirearms.com/s/leverAction-SBLSeries/

JW Gun.png (1.11 MiB) Viewed 2046 times

[Diver43]

The 45-70 can be loaded from mouse loads to, well, T-Rex loads. Would you bother with a can when T-Rex is in the front yard? Or when the zombies come?

[jkp]

I think you would always second guess the choice to chamber in a round not suited for T-Rex.

[GrapeApe]

The 45-70 can do (stomp) things that a 30-30 can't. And you can get anything from "mouse farts" to "slobber knockers"
I like the round enough that I have a 14" Contender barrel so chambered, though it's limited to only the "tamer" loads due to the original Contender's pressuse limits

[Zee]

Do. Or do not. No try.

[GrapeApe]

"Mouse fart" - 300grn @ 1410fps from a 32" bbl
https://steinelammo.com/all-available-c ... ingfields/

"Slobber knockers"
1) 300gr @ 2263fps from an 18.5"
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l ... tail&p=155
2) 500gr @ 1879fps from 18.5"
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l ... tail&p=154
3) 540gr @ 1550fps from 22"
https://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570540tech.html

[Wambli Ska]

45-70. Otherwise what’s the point?

[breamfisher]

One in .30-30, one in .45-70.

It's like y'all aren't even trying.

[Wambli Ska]

One in .30-30, one in .45-70.

It's like y'all aren't even trying.

Noooooooooooooo, the 30-30 has to be a Winchester!!!!!

[PFD45]

If you're going to get a muscle car, go ahead and get the V-8.

[CPJ 2.0]

"Mouse fart" - 300grn @ 1410fps from a 32" bbl
https://steinelammo.com/all-available-c ... ingfields/

"Slobber knockers"
1) 300gr @ 2263fps from an 18.5"
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l ... tail&p=155
2) 500gr @ 1879fps from 18.5"
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l ... tail&p=154
3) 540gr @ 1550fps from 22"
https://www.garrettcartridges.com/4570540tech.html

350-405 grain cast with 12 -ISH, I repeat ISH (cause I forgotted) grains of trail boss gets 900-ish FPS.
So a subsonic 45-70 through his new .45 caliber can would be awesome.

[sakodude]

45-70 without question. It’s not a rifle that is likely to see extensive use so a bit more for proper ammo seems to be a non issue. I know you’re not reloading currently but once you do, you’ll be second guessing the 30-30 choice.
Not knocking the 30-30, it’s actually a favorite of mine and will be costing me a couple grand for my next vessel for that cartridge.

[Freezer]

Do they offer it in 450 Marlin?

[Bigslug]

My Dad's the lever gun guy in the family - I don't own one.

We've been gently shepherding one of my co-workers into the reloading game. He acquired his own .45-70 1895 and has made use of Pop's molds and dies from time to time. Hearing his comments on the purchase price and availability of factory ammo would lead me to comment that if you aren't casting and loading your own, feeding a .45-70 is something that you will likely continually bitch about.

I would also say that without a specialty single shot that lets you shoot something long and (sort of) streamlined using tall sights, the round is very much a short range mortar that requires some pretty shoulder-abusing loads to even PRETEND to flatten the trajectory - and even then, it's just pretending. With 400-ish grain solids in the 1400-1600 fps range the Marlin 1895 is exactly what you're building it to be - a short range dangerous game rifle that doesn't try to be anything else. 1600 fps and above - they hurt.

If you play around with LeverEvolution powder and Hornady's 140gr Monoflex, you can turn the .30-30 into a pretty legit 200 yard solution for deer without detaching your retinas. With the heavy solids, it'll do most of what the .30-06 can do - just not from as far away. I think it's ultimately a lot more useful.

All that said, replicating a dinosaur rifle in .30-30 seems a little like buying a Smith K-17 and calling yourself Elmer Keith.

[Admin]

I shoot a couple hundred rounds of 45-70 a year.

Can't remember the last time I shot my 30-30.

Get the 45-70

[CPJ 2.0]

My Dad's the lever gun guy in the family - I don't own one.

We've been gently shepherding one of my co-workers into the reloading game. He acquired his own .45-70 1895 and has made use of Pop's molds and dies from time to time. Hearing his comments on the purchase price and availability of factory ammo would lead me to comment that if you aren't casting and loading your own, feeding a .45-70 is something that you will likely continually bitch about.

I would also say that without a specialty single shot that lets you shoot something long and (sort of) streamlined using tall sights, the round is very much a short range mortar that requires some pretty shoulder-abusing loads to even PRETEND to flatten the trajectory - and even then, it's just pretending. With 400-ish grain solids in the 1400-1600 fps range the Marlin 1895 is exactly what you're building it to be - a short range dangerous game rifle that doesn't try to be anything else. 1600 fps and above - they hurt.

If you play around with LeverEvolution powder and Hornady's 140gr Monoflex, you can turn the .30-30 into a pretty legit 200 yard solution for deer without detaching your retinas. With the heavy solids, it'll do most of what the .30-06 can do - just not from as far away. I think it's ultimately a lot more useful.

All that said, replicating a dinosaur rifle in .30-30 seems a little like buying a Smith K-17 and calling yourself Elmer Keith.

But, 405+ grains of sub sonic suppressed love!
Oh. Wait. Your country doesn’t allow those.

[Wambli Ska]

I don’t know what the availability or cost issue is with the 45-70. I find it all the time and have used quite a few commercial loads to test new ideas for my 45-60 by pulling bullets re-doing the brass and reloading. Leverevolution ammo is constantly on sale for about $40/20, not out of line with the rest of their hunting offerings and I’ve bought everything from “cowboy action” loads to 300 JSP and 405 in the $45-60 range which is not out of line with other CF cartridges out there. Actually 30-30 is probably tougher to find when things get scary than 45-70.

[shotgunshooter3]

Whelp, the collective braintrust has reinforced what I already knew the right answer to be. When the financials are lined up correctly, or the right deal presents itself, I'll be getting the .45-70.

[shotgunshooter3]

I don’t know what the availability or cost issue is with the 45-70. I find it all the time and have used quite a few commercial loads to test new ideas for my 45-60 by pulling bullets re-doing the brass and reloading. Leverevolution ammo is constantly on sale for about $40/20, not out of line with the rest of their hunting offerings and I’ve bought everything from “cowboy action” loads to 300 JSP and 405 in the $45-60 range which is not out of line with other CF cartridges out there. Actually 30-30 is probably tougher to find when things get scary than 45-70.

.45-70 isn't too terribly expensive compared to other less popular cartridges, you're right. I have found that .30-30 is about half the price in similar quality factory loads (basic Remington, for example). You also bring up a good point that .45-70 is more likely to be around during shortages.

I think the move here will be to pony up for 200-500 rounds of loaded ammo, then save the brass and do a big loading session with dad when time and resources permit.

[CPJ 2.0]

While I do love the 45-70, without a can I’m voting 30-30.
Because cans are awesome. And I don’t see you getting a specific can for 45.

[CPJ 2.0]

But, if you got one for .45, you could use it on a 9mm carbine.

OK, back in the 45-70 camp.

[Admin]

I think the move here will be to pony up for 200-500 rounds of loaded ammo, then save the brass and do a big loading session with dad when time and resources permit.

Or, get one of these:
https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-presses

The dies, a small powder scale, a couple cans of trail boss, calipers, etc... and have a way to reload for it anywhere. All the stuff would fit in a small toolbox and is easy to move while you are still nomadic.

[Bigslug]

But, 405+ grains of sub sonic suppressed love!
Oh. Wait. Your country doesn’t allow those.

It'd probably be a 300 grain .44 or a 200 grain .357 at that point. No need for 426 Hemi displacement when driving at 1.6L Corolla speeds.

Besides, who wants to QUIETLY shoot a T-Rex? Pretty sure I'd WANT the world to know I was engaged.

[CPJ 2.0]

But, 405+ grains of sub sonic suppressed love!
Oh. Wait. Your country doesn’t allow those.

Besides, who wants to QUIETLY shoot a T-Rex?

Non-poors who live in the free world.

Suppressors are the way.

[GrapeApe]

Or, get one of these:
https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-presses

The dies, a small powder scale, a couple cans of trail boss, calipers, etc... and have a way to reload for it anywhere. All the stuff would fit in a small toolbox and is easy to move while you are still nomadic.

Good luck finding any Trail Boss.

It was discontinued for a while. Hodgdon's listing it again on their website, but a whole bunch of CAS shooters will be trying to get restocked for a while.