Marlin 1895GS 45-70

[RugerFan]

Having just celebrated another birthday, my lovely bride gave me the ok to pick out a new gun. I have wanted a lever action for a looong time, so I pulled the trigger (pun intended) on a Marlin 1895GS 45-70 purchase.

I also have a RCBS 45-405-FN ordered. Any tips on other molds/powders for my new toy? I plan on using this for hunting big game, so no light loads will be used.

http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l449/wolf913/1895GS_2_zps184c9bd7.jpg

[Castaholic]

Wow very nice. I have been wondering about this gun for a while.

[TXGunNut]

Reloder #7 or 5744 get lots of votes around here, I like the RL-7 so well I haven't tried the 5744. I like the 330 gr Gould hp but haven't made it work for my rifle yet, it likes the RD 350 gr boolit and most 405's as well. No need to hot-rod this cartridge but it's fun to try. My hunting load is a pretty snappy (for me) 1900 fps but 1600-1700 is plenty until my local F&G decides there's a huntable population of T-Rex's wandering around. Big stuff in Alaska is another story but I suspect you won't need the full potential of this round for most jobs, even there. Nice rifle, I have a ported Guide Gun that is simply awesome. Congrats on a nice rifle and a wonderful bride!

[Aje]

Happy Birthday.
I have a blued Guide Gun it is my goto deer, Buffalo & pig rifle I have used the rcbs boolit & it works well but for hunting I prefer a 420gn WLNGC nothing gets up hen hit with one of these, I recently bought an Accurate 46-430V mold I haven't shot it yet but I think it will work well.
As for powder I use a Healthy dose of ADI AR2207 (about the same as Reloader #7 & H4198) under a cast 420gn for 1820fps as my high power hunting load, for just playing around I back it down to around 1600fps which is really plenty for anything I encounter.
The best thing I've done to mine is installed a Limbsaver recoil pad it made a huge difference with heavy loads oh & replacing the sights with a set of AO (now XS) aperture sights & installing a full length magazine tube.
Good luck with it I'm sure it will serve you well.

Aje

[Keyston44]

My go to load for my Guide Gun is 46 gr of H322 in Starline brass pushing a Ranch Dog 425-460 for 1810 fps.
The most important thing you need to remember is that Marlins like .459 or .460 cast bullets.


Key