JM Marlin 45-70 GS range results

[303carbine]

I want to keep my new Winchester 86 in nice condition, so I took out the new to me JM Marlin 45-70 GS to the range.
I am shooting 420 grain gc cast boolitz over 40 grains of IMR 4198, velocity is 1640 fps.
My target was set up at 105 yds, I dropped three shots into a 1&3/8ths inch.
I have a compact 3-9 Leupold to help me old eyes out. Now I can wait for the fair weather to take the Winchester 86 out.

[Firebricker]

Good shooting! Sounds like to two fine rifles would love to see photo. FB

[TXGunNut]

Good shootin'! Which 420 is that?

[303carbine]

Good shootin'! Which 420 is that?


I shoot the 405 grain bullet cast from the RCBS mould, after adding a gas check and lube, they weigh 420 grains.
I buy them in bulk from a caster near my hometown, I have roughly about 700 of them quietly aging on my (heavily constructed) reloading bench.

[TXGunNut]

Thanks. Come to think of it my Lyman 405 runs a bit heavy too.

[303carbine]

My casting dude calls his bullets marshmallows, I asked him why he calls the bullets that.
He said his mix and process leaves the center a bit softer than the outside of the bullet.
That way they don't fracture but rather mushroom, it seems to work as I have a recovered 420 grainer that went through seven railroad ties.
It hit a knot in the backstop, it turned sideways and stayed in one piece with one side flattened with the other side still showing the grease grooves.
The bullet started out at 420 grains with a gas check and lube, I dug it out and it was still 377.5 grains.
Nothing walks away from this load.....ever.:holysheep