I wouldn’t post anything like that on this kind of forum anymore. Too many eyes.
Factory ammo, or reloads?
The .45-70 is a tried-and-true old hunting cartridge. It’s good the seller is throwing in 1,000 rounds of ammo (is it factory ammo, or handloads?).
If you have no other hunting rifle, and you will still have a good .357 revolver and a good lever-action it might be an okay swap.
Me, personally? I’d keep the lever and the .357 revolver and buy a good bolt action .30-06 or .308 or .270.
1000 rounds of 45-70, well if you can find that ammo its going for 40 bucks or more for 20.
Ruger is now making the Marlin 1895. The quality is far superior to any Remington made model 1895.
I don’t know about a market value comparison, but a 45-70 is more well regarded for bear defense in big bear country.
If the 45-70 is a good rifle, it is probably worth more than the .357. The 1000 rounds covers the revolver and then some. I’d do it if I couldn’t just buy it outright.
.45-70 is great. I’ve wondered before how it works out of those short “guide gun” barrels. My .45-70 is a trapdoor springfield repro. SUPER fun to shoot with home-made black powder ammo.
Anyway, if it’s the gun you want, then go for it. 1000 rounds of ammo is certainly a big incentive. Even just 1000 brass has value.
So my question is, what was the reason you went with the .357 originally, and is it still valid? Once you answer that, then you know the value of the 357’s to you. Do you need a scout rifle, or just want one?
I have fallen in love with the 45-70 as the perfect scout rifle. Someone is willing to trade me a Marlin 45-70 rifle and 1000 rounds of ammo for my mint 1894 Marlin 357 lever action rifle and my Ruger GP-100 revolver. I am torn. Is this a good deal or am I being stupid?
I wouldn't. But, that's me.
If that thousand rounds are reloads, unless there's really good provenance you'll want to break them down and load them yourself.
Scout normally means light weight short barrel, and I’d think that would mean a pretty sporty kick in 45-70. I have, err had, a Remington 600 in .308 for a scout rifle, and it was more than manageable but certainly more felt recoil than a heavier .308 like the M14. Is this an 1895 Trapper? SBL?
Do it! If it’s what you want, and you are willing to trade what you have for it, Do it!!!
That’s a lot of 45-70 ammo.
I would not do the trade. You can buy the guide gun for less than your Marlin.
What you have now is more practical, I think.
Use cash.
Fk it - I want that 45-70 so bad I can taste it. Damn the torpedos. I will probably regret it but I’m making the trade.
If it makes any difference to you, I don’t believe that Jeff Cooper would approve of a lever action as a scout rifle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_rifle
When I was preteen, I found a 45-70 trapdoor Springfield in the attic. It had a ramrod-like round bayonet.
If it is an original Marlin made 1894, keep it. If it is a Remlin, go ahead and trade if you want.
Have you seen the price of 45-70 ammo?
With the price of 45-70 being what it is, the ammo may be worth more than the rifle. That said, the .357 ‘94 is THE go-to gun for those who shoot SASS in CAS and anyone wanting to excel in that sport will be advised by the longbeards to get one, but Marlin doesn’t make the gun anymore. Post-Cerberus Marlin stopped manufacture of the 1894 as a whole retail unit because warranty work was consuming all their parts stockpile and had eaten into their production run, meaning they were still making all new parts without new sales. Marlins made before 1974 are worth more than those made afterward, Cerberus not withstanding. The viability of the trade depends more on the particulars of your rifle than his.