Tested and Reviewed: Marlin 1895 SBL Lever Action Rifle

Given the proliferation of what tends to be considered the new hotness cartridges of the gun world, it’s no surprise older cartridges get ignored (or replaced). Even among seasoned hunters, there’s an understandable temptation to give in and replace the old favorites with modern semi-autos. However, there’s much to be said for platforms with extensive histories, and the Marlin 1895 is a stellar example. This is a rifle that not only withstood the passage of time but also evolved in just the right ways to maintain its classic action while gaining modern features.

This is a rifle that’s worth knowing more about. As you might imagine, the Marlin 1895 entered production in the year of its name, meaning it has more than 130 years of hunting tradition behind it. The existence of this platform is owed to Lewis Hepburn, a firearms designer whose name doesn’t have quite the cachet of some, but it should. Hepburn is responsible for other firearms as well, including the Remington-Hepburn No. 3 falling-block target rifle and the .41-caliber Lewis Wen over/under.

The Marlin 1895 came about in the era of cowboys and mountain men. Perhaps that’s why it’s often relegated to the category of “classic, but outdated.” In reality, the Marlin 1895 isn’t outdated at all. This lever-action rifle boasts all the benefits of its hard-hitting .45-70 Govt. chambering alongside sleek modern touches, and it’s a gun every serious hunter should own.

Marlin 1895 SBL Details

Over the years, several 1895 variants have hit the market. Each model offers various benefits, such as a longer barrel, a polymer stock or a weather-resistant finish. And while numerous rifles can be found used, only a handful are in production today. This includes the 1895 Dark Series, Classic Series, Guide Gun, Trapper Series and SBL. The Marlin 1895 SBL (Stainless Big Loop) continues to bear the Marlin name, as it should, but it’s now manufactured under the guidance of Ruger. That’s led to even more changes to the beloved platform.

As expected, the 1895 SBL is chambered in .45-70 Govt. and fitted with a big loop lever sporting a polished stainless finish. Its barrel measures 19.10 inches in length, putting it just barely in the carbine category. Overall length is 37.25 inches, leaving it maneuverable but large enough for most shooters to shoulder easily. Length of pull is 13.38 inches. Then there’s its 7-pound, 3-ounce empty weight, which lends itself to usability. The gun’s capacity is 6+1, more than enough to fill your deer tags.

Now that we’ve gone over the numbers, let’s consider the aesthetic appeal of the Marlin 1895 SBL. The gray laminate stock is attractive and flows well with the stainless receiver and barrel. As much as I love an old wooden stock, there’s no denying this laminate looks good in an understated way. This is your handsome but demure rifle, the one that appears unassuming until you discover its versatility and power.

Additional features include a Picatinny rail atop the receiver, threaded barrel and sling swivel studs. The rifle comes standard with a fiber-optic front sight and ghost ring rear sight.

Ballistics Basics

This is a fantastic deer hunting rifle, so for testing purposes, I ran a trio of suitable loads through it: Hornady LEVERevolution 325-grain FTX, Remington Core-Lokt 405-grain Soft Point and Nosler Whitetail Country 300-grain Soft Point. I’ve taken whitetail deer—and other animals—with Hornady and Remington. All three loads are high-quality and accurate, but as usual, there’s more to be found from ballistics and details.

Deer hunting means you’re typically shooting from a rest, whether it’s the window ledge on a box blind or a convenient tree. It’s always wise to take deer from the most stable position possible, because making an ethical, clean shot is our responsibility as hunters.

I ran the Marlin 1895 both offhand and from the bench from 25 to 100 yards. And because my eyes don’t love standard ghost ring sights, I went ahead and mounted a Riton 5 Tactix 1-10x24 scope to the rifle. You might hesitate to throw an optic on a lever-action rifle, but I’m here to testify to the incredible improvement in accuracy at greater distances.

The average three-shot group at 50 yards, offhand, measured 1.43 inches. Stretching to 100 yards broadened that average to 1.91 inches. All shots taken were slow and measured. Switching to the bench tightened groups up, moving average at 100 yards to 1.74 inches. Surprisingly, not a significant difference. Making those same shots with iron sights creates noticeably larger groups, although they all remained well within the size needed for a clean heart shot on a whitetail deer.

Of the three loads I tested with, it was Hornady LEVERevolution that stood out. It delivered the tightest—and most consistent—group at 0.81 inches shooting offhand at 50 yards. That said, the average group with Hornady was 1.31 inches. Every load performed reliably, and after hundreds of rounds, I’ve had no failures of any kind.

Remington’s Core-Lokt round creates deep, devastating wound cavities in deer. At 405 grains, it does produce more felt recoil than the lighter bullets, but it’s still manageable. The greatest plus to hunting with Core-Lokt is in the name. The jacket and core of the bullet are designed so they won’t separate upon impact. This improves overall ballistics and expansion for more reliable results on game. That doesn’t mean the other brands aren’t good as well, because they are, only that if you’re interested in a heavier bullet for your Marlin 1895, this is the way to go.

Live Fire Takeaways

Thanks to the design of the latest Marlin 1895 SBL, felt recoil and muzzle rise are manageable. Yes, a 45-70 Government does recoil more than a .308 Win, but it isn’t punishing. I can—and do—run my various generation 1895s at length. It helps to make sure your weight is shifted into the gun when it’s shouldered and that your grip is firm. One of the biggest issues with big bores such as this is being too casual with stance and grip. With proper mechanics, you’ll be running your 45-70 and loving it.

The trigger on the Marlin 1895 SBL is above average for a factory lever-action rifle. I’ve run guns with gritty and stiff triggers, but this rifle offers a clean break and short reset. In addition, the shape of the grip and forend is ergonomically well-designed and comfortable. That combination of a good trigger and user-friendly gripping surfaces enhances accuracy and makes it possible to stay on your gun longer without discomfort.

Marlin made the lever on this rifle smooth as well, meaning you can cycle it quickly without worrying about catching or dragging. Never say never about rapid fire, either, because it comes in handy if you’re after a sounder of feral hogs (or maybe a speedy coyote). Mastering rapid fire on a lever-action takes a little practice, but it’s well worth it.

The 1895 for Deer

Various iterations of the 1895 have been my go-to for deer hunting for years. This newest Marlin 1895 SBL certainly offers some of the smoothest cycling yet, plus it’s a good-looking rifle. Features like the sling swivel studs and Picatinny rail make it hunting friendly, but it’s most important. The average lever-action isn’t a precision firearm, and that goes for this one, too. However, the Marlin 1895 SBL made under the Ruger banner is highly accurate. Groups aren’t dinner plate sized, there aren’t frequent flyers, and it isn’t ammo finicky.

Another advantage of this lever action is that it is chambered for a straight-walled cartridge. A few states that were previously shotgun-only for deer hunting have opened up to the use of rifles chambered for a straight-walled cartridge. This gives certain hunters more opportunities to take game each year.

This is a well-made rifle with fantastic fitment and clear attention to detail. Thanks to the sling swivel studs, it’s easy to add a sling and tote the rifle on a trek through the deer woods, and because there’s an optics-ready rail, you can’t use your eyes as an excuse to avoid it. Go for the magnification and clarity of optics. As nice as irons are, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have every possible advantage on your next big hunt.

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