Marlin 1881 rifling twist

[Hednign]

Im on the edge to buy an old Marlin 1881 45 Gvt. I would just like to know what kind of rifle twist they have. Can it handle the 500 grs bullet, or is the twist to slow for those long hammers? I figured they might have made the bore so it could handle army ammo... maybe Im wrong.

The rifle has a double set trigger and looks good, seller says the bore is shiny and has strong rifling. This one could become a great shooter. Im more or less totally sold to the Winchester 1886 department, but I like the old Marlins too. What do you guys think of the 1881?

[longbow]

I have an old abused 1881 in .45-70 but the barrel is so bad I am not sure I can even measure twist.

I will try later and post if I can get a tight jag to grip what is left of the rifling.

Longbow

[W.R.Buchanan]

I would guess they are 1:20 twist as that is the standard .45-70 twist rate.

Randy

[felix]

Standard was 22 twist in the trap doors. Was that xferred to the lever guns? ... felix

[W.R.Buchanan]

Felix: yes the original 1895 Marlins and and newer 1895 Marlins have 1:20 all designed to shoot 400-500 gr boolits.

The .45-90's have slower twists 1:32-1:60 as that cartridge was considered an "expess cartridge" and was loaded with shorter 300-350 gr boolits.

I don't know the reason for this descrepancy as it makes no sense to me as the faster twist would stabilize all of the long ones and short ones too and since the velocities were not that high on the experss loads (2000-2200fps) I don't see the logic of different twist rates. Seems like more work for no gain.

This same logic also holds true on on alot of .44 Magnum rifles which have 1:38 twists, even though most .44 pistols have 1:20

Sometimes the reason is,,, "we have always done it that way". Which just drives me nutz.

Randy