what mold for marlin 1895 45/70?

[hornsurgeon]

what mold would you suggest for my marlin 1895? i want to use it for target and for deer, so nothing too heavy. maybe 325-425 grains or so. prefer to have some type of flat point, not round nose. it also needs to feed very reliablly as this will also be my bear tracking gun as well.

[6pt-sika]

I use the Ranch Dog 460-350GC and the Ranch Dog 460-425GC in my older Marlin 1895's in 45-70 .

They both do well for me in a 1972 vintage 1895 and my 1978 vintage 1895 . I will say the 425 grain bullet required me to water quench to get the accuracy I desired .

Just so happens NOE is running group buys for both of these molds on this website RIGHT NOW !

[454PB]

I'm growing very fond of the Lee 405 gr. hollowbase. It's a good shooter in my Marlin GS, and casts at .459" in WW alloy.

[hornsurgeon]

i saw those 2 group buys. thats why i need some feedback. i'm thinking of getting the 460-350. my marlin is a pre safety model, not really sure of the exact year though. it does slug at .459, so this would be perfect mold size wise.

[knifemaker]

I have the Ranch Dog 350 gr. .460 dia. mold and I get fantastic 100 yard groups in my Marlin 1895 LTD-V. I have used this load to take 3 bison, all one shot kills. I love this weight of bullet in the 45/70 and am thinking about getting in on the group buy for a combination mold for flat nose and hollow point. This would take care of all shooting from light skinned deer with the HP and heavier animals with the flat nose. Only thing holding me back is justiflying the new mold when I am so pleased with the RD mold for accuracy and knock down power.
I really do not think you will regret getting the .460-350 gr. mold in the group buy.

[doubs43]

Have a look at my thread in CB Loads titled "My 45-70 Load".

[NickSS]

I use an RCBS 458-325 FP in my Marlin sized the .459 and it works very well. I also use the Lee HB 405 gr and it also is a good bullet but it is a RN design.

[Tazman1602]

what mold would you suggest for my marlin 1895? i want to use it for target and for deer, so nothing too heavy. maybe 325-425 grains or so. prefer to have some type of flat point, not round nose. it also needs to feed very reliablly as this will also be my bear tracking gun as well.

Man I've got RCBS gas check 405 grain and Lee plain base 405 grain molds and the only reason I haven't gotten in on the NOE 460 group buy is money. Both of these shoot very well even at moderate velocities in my 45-70 and 450 Marlin GG's. One load in my 450 with the RCBS gas check version will shoot better than I can shoot all day long. No feeding issues with either bullet. I prefer steel molds, but at $20 apiece with handles and a little bit of work you can't beat the Lee aluminum...

I've got one NOE 432-265 grain mold I'm waiting on for my .444 Marlin and can't wait to try that.

Art

[Just Duke]

Scifi Jim has 2 mould group buys that fit with in the parameters of the said weights your inquiring about Hornsurgeon.

[Wally]

I use an RCBS 458-325 FP in my Marlin sized the .459 and it works very well. I also use the Lee HB 405 gr and it also is a good bullet but it is a RN design.

I use the same RCBS bullet in mine sized to .460" with 16.0 grains of Unique--if the winds are light, I can pop 3" steel plates with it at 200 yards+...you cannot ask for more than that as the accuracy is outstanding. I no longer use heavier bullets in the .45-70 anymore...

[muffinman]

Check with Vendor/sponsor B.R.P Molds. I have shot his 420 and 350 grain bullets with great accuracy and results on game. No group buy wait or any hassles. Can't believe more people are not using these the quality is outstanding. Nah Bruce isn't paying me I just really like his molds.:)

[Gee_Wizz01]

I use the Ranch Dog 460-350GC and the Ranch Dog 460-425GC in my older Marlin 1895's in 45-70 .

They both do well for me in a 1972 vintage 1895 and my 1978 vintage 1895 . I will say the 425 grain bullet required me to water quench to get the accuracy I desired .

Just so happens NOE is running group buys for both of these molds on this website RIGHT NOW !

+1 on the RD 350 and 420 Boolits! I have both and they are both extremely accurate in my 1895 Guide Gun. The 420 seems to have a slight edge in my rifle. I will be purchasing 1 more of each on the current NOE group buy, just to make sure I will always have one. NOE's molds are a work of art!

G

[largom]

Two deer brought down this year with my Marlin 45-70 using RCBS 405 gr. FN. I also have a LBT 400M-WFN. Both boolits shoot very accurate.

Larry

[stubshaft]

+1 on the 425GC RD mould and also the RCBS 405GC. Both shoot great out of my three 1895's.

[w30wcf]

The original .45-70 Marlin bullet circa late 1890's is still made today.....
Lyman's 457193.

w30wcf

[Sprue]

I like the Lee 457-340-F (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=186608)

[rob45]

You cannot wrong with the RD350, as many here have already mentioned.

I already have the originals in both the 350 and 425, and one cavity of the 350 has been modified for a HP. I am also getting both weights in the group buys.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=66018

Although I do have molds in the 400-430 range (and plan on getting more), I believe the 350 is more versatile for your stated use. Properly loaded, the 350 weight can easily take care of anything in the lower 48.
I load it at velocities from 1400 to well over 2000 fps. A powder-puff load makes a day at the range very enjoyable and allows more time behind the gun. The bullet design is accurate enough to exceed the capabilities of both rifle and shooter.

A hollow point option in your mold is definitely something to consider. With the proper alloy at moderate velocity (around 1500 fps), a 350 HP will slap down Bambi like no other. If I'm going after something larger, including large hogs, I kick things up a notch and switch to the flat point.

Please do not misinterpret me; there is nothing wrong with the popular 400-425, and those who spend more time pursuing the larger game may find it the better choice. Plus the fact that some people report better results in their gun with the heavier design.
But the 350 has a definite trajectory advantage, and as already stated, is more than enough for anything you're likely to come across, although I would certainly prefer more (a lot more than 425) for the things that bite back.

So your choice comes down to what you wish to do most with the bullet.

Some choose a certain design simply because that particular mold is what they can afford at the time.

Others choose a bullet due to vendor preference or availability.

Others favor a design because although they may not need it, that bullet seems to shoot best in their particular gun. Makes sense to me, as all is for nothing without proper shot placement.

Personally, if I had to limit myself to only two bullets, I would feel perfectly comfortable with something around 350 grains for everything except dangerous game, and a truly heavy bullet (475+) for the very large/nasty stuff. And both of those molds would have every option available to enhance load versatility (FP, HP, GC, PB).

The beauty of the 45-70 is the versatility. The load parameters are very flexible, and in the end you will probably collect several different molds to "play" with. The cartridge itself is flexible enough that no matter what we may choose, nobody is really taking a backseat to anyone else.

Good Luck.

[jtaylor1960]

I have a #337 NEI that drops at 420grs with WW alloy.It will group at about 5/8" at 50yds. with a peep sight.So far it is the best shooting cast bullet I have found for my 1895.

[HCL]

RCBS 45-405, most accurate that i have found.

[softpoint]

Hard to say, too many good choices. I have more 45/70 rifles than any other caliber, and more molds, as well. I don't believe there is a "need" for a hunting bullet in USA of over 350 grains, if loaded to Marlin levels. Of course I don't "need" about 90% percent of the rifles I own, either. :smile: So I have molds up to 500 gr. :smile:
I'd recommend two molds,if you are going with commercially available stuff. The 340 gr .Lee will save alloy, kill deer, no gascheck, great in light recoil everyday plinking/practice loads. So is the 325 gr.RCBS. But the Lee is so much cheaper. it would be easy to own along with another mould. The other mould being any brand of 350 to 405 gr. Gascheck mold. If you like the tumble lube design, the 350 Ranchdog would be nice, if you can find one for sale. The 405 RCBS is another one I like, although a bit heavier than needed. Saeco makes a 350 gascheck that I don't have, but I intend to get, it looks good. And they make a 300 gr. Non gascheck that would probably be a good light load bullet, although thier molds are a bit pricy.:smile:. Can you get the group buy mold multiple cavity with and without Gascheck? that might be the way to go.

[Westwindmike]

I like my Lee 340 grain in my 1895ss.

[WyrTwister]

I'm growing very fond of the Lee 405 gr. hollowbase. It's a good shooter in my Marlin GS, and casts at .459" in WW alloy.


That is my choice , my mold throws bullets > than .460" . My cousin and I honed a Lee .457" sizer out to .460" & that is what I size them to .

Both my Marlin .45-70's like big bullets .

I drop all my bullets into a 5 gal bucket of water .

God bless
Wyr

[tcrocker]

I know this is a little bigger than you asked about but I love my NEI mold. It's the .458-440-GC#346 using ww it'll drop bullet at 464gr without GC and lube. It'll smack deer and hogs real nice. Got pic of the hole in a deer if you'd like to see here is a pic of the bullet with a 30-06 case beside it. The dia is .460 I dont size them at all, and they work great. I got a 6in diemond shaped target and can hit it all day lond at 50yd with iron sights.
http://http://thumb3.webshots.net/t/63/563/3/69/64/2659369640103526723PwWcfz_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2659369640103526723PwWcfz)