marlin 45-70 sizeing?

[monge]

What size do the marlins like I use lee sizer and I noticed they only make one in .457 is this to small? Thanks Joe :groner:

[grubbylabs]

If you go to Ranch Dogs site you can get a .460 if you have not, slug your bore, that should tell you what size you need.

[6pt-sika]

I've never slugged the first Marlin barrel and I've owned well over a hundred of them (not all 45-70 of course) . In the past I used a .459" sizer now I have a custom made Buffalo Arms .461" sizer and yes I shoot all the Ranch Dog for the 45-70 and they are run thru that die .

[stubshaft]

I had Buckshot make me a .460" one that I use in my five Marlin 45/70's.

[dubber123]

If you go to Ranch Dogs site you can get a .460 if you have not, slug your bore, that should tell you what size you need.


I agree with the slugging suggestion. Marlins are all over the map, but I will about guarantee it isn't .457".... I use a die honed out to .462" in my 1895 CB.

[jlchucker]

I would think that pretty much every rifle could be all over the map regardless of caliber or manufacturer. Holding .001 inch tolerances in production barrel manufacture is, even with today's equipment, asking a lot. I suspect that all barrelmakers must have plus or minus limits for acceptable products. I got away with not slugging my 45-70 Marlin years ago, because I didn't know much about casting other than to read how to do it in an old Lyman manual. That book suggested a most useable sizer for every caliber, so I tried .458, and got results that I thought were good enough for deer hunting. I'm fussier nowadays, and even more so since joining this website. I slug every rifle I acquire these days, before casting my bullets. The big thing is to keep good records when working up loads for each rifle so you can go back to the loads you've developed for each rifle.

[pdawg_shooter]

I size mine .451, give them 2 wraps of 16# paper, lube and run through a .459 for a finish diameter of .460.

[beagle]

If the bullet's big enough, use a .460" if you can find one. I've been using a .459" successfully for years in my M1895.

When I went to a .460", I had to open the seating die as the crimp shoulder was attempting to seat the bullet. After opening a bit, no problems and good accuracy./beagle

[crabo]

I've used 460 in three different Marlin guideguns, 2 with Ballard and one with Microgroove and had great results on all three.

[btroj]

I use a .460 sizer. Never slugged my barrel until a few weeks ago. It measured .457. I will still size to .460 as it works so well.

[DLCTEX]

I have been sizing to .459 for Guide Gun and a Handi rifle because that is the die I had. It worked without leading so I haven't changed it.I size the two RD 460's and lube at the same time in a lubesizer. It flattens the micro grooves just a smidge.

[MT Gianni]

Ranch Dog sells a custom Lee .460 sizer.

[monge]

My bore is 457 lee mold drops 460 honed lee sizer to 459 I cant wait to try it this weekend! thanks Joe :Fire:

[nanuk]

my Handi with a microgroove slugs at .455/.459+

I'm gonna hone out a die to .461+

[Maineboy]

My Marlin barrel slugs .457. and I use a Lee sizer that I honed out to .459. It's pretty easy to do and I believe you can find instructions if you search this site. FWIW, I don't size plain base boolits if the measure .460 or less and none of my moulds do. I use it when I'm seating gas checks.

[monge]

shot the .459 this week end 1" groups at 50yards lee340gr,45gr of H4198 tumble lube 30rounds no sign of leading 24" barrel

[quasi]

It is throat diameter you need to measure, not bore diameter.