Recommended .45-70 Bullet for Marlin 1895 Guide Gun

[TORCHrider]

What bullet/mould would you recommend for a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun (18.5" ported barrel)? I was thinking something in the 405 Gr. range but am open. The bullet must be a FP or RN as it feeds from a tubular magazine. I want to develop a load good for pig at 100 yards or less so dont need anything too fast. Can I tumble lube these or do I need to get a lubrisizer?

[Slow Elk 45/70]

If you need a mold there are a couple in the group buy section being run or getting ready to be..one is a dual cavity 370gr solid/ 350gr HP combo mold and I think the other is a 405 like you mention. I have several molds in everything from 300gr to 430gr.

The ranch dog molds were designed especially for the Marlin lever rifles and the 2 above are being built to similar specs.

Lee makes a 340gr and a 405 gr that will work, Lyman makes a 330gr HP and a 405gr, RCBS makes a 405....plus a number of specialty mold makers...

I have been using RD's 350gr boolit lately and I really like it, his 430gr is a hammer if you want a heavy at about 1400FPS, check the threads for 45/70 loads, there are lots of them on the site.

[Shooter6br]

I also use the Ranch Dog 350g .I feel 350 to 405 the best all around bullet weight for the 45-70.The Lee 340 is basically the same bullet. The RD is cast at .460 vs Lee 458. I use it in my Ruger No ! 45-70

[TORCHrider]

I am not sure if I will have an opportunity to slug the bore. Would you recommend going with the .460 over the.458?

[mpmarty]

In a Marlin the bigger the better until the fat lady sings.

[BABore]

I have several on my website that are for the 45-70 levergun. There are also two that are specifically listed for the 450 Marlin. These have a full diameter front band that the 45-70 won't handle. Most drop at 0.462+ diameter. Most all Marlin 45-70's will handle a boolit that big and still chamber with clearance. While a 0.460 diameter boolit will usually satisfy the bbl's groove requirements, a 0.461-0.462 boolit will help fill the throat. MicroGrooves also appreciate the extra diameter.

[TORCHrider]

I have several on my website that are for the 45-70 levergun. There are also two that are specifically listed for the 450 Marlin. These have a full diameter front band that the 45-70 won't handle. Most drop at 0.462+ diameter. Most all Marlin 45-70's will handle a boolit that big and still chamber with clearance. While a 0.460 diameter boolit will usually satisfy the bbl's groove requirements, a 0.461-0.462 boolit will help fill the throat. MicroGrooves also appreciate the extra diameter.

Which boolit weight would you recommend for my gun and the use I explain in the original post?

[BABore]

Can't beat a 420 grain for your hogs. It's a good all-around weight that can be pushed to 1,800 fps out of the guide gun. A more moderate 1,500-1,600 fps load will be more bearable and penetrate a hog, stem to stern. The 462-420 GC or PB I have listed would work very well. Both are based off of past group buys and have a very good track record amongst users. The GC version will be easier to get to shoot well when you get above 1,300-1,400 fps, but you have the added cost of the GC. The PB version will limit your max velocity unless all the stars are aligned. While lighter boolits save you some lead, I've always found as the bearing length of a boolit increases, accuracy does as well in the 45-70. You can also go heavier with the 465 grain boolit I list. Not really needed for your piggies unless you get 4-5 of them lined up.

While I have not personally tried them with Lee tumble lube (Mule Snot), I'm sure you could get a satisfactory load that way. I'm not real partial to the stuff myself unless its used for low velocity plinking stuff. I've always got better accuracy with conventional lube myself. You could also finger lube with a soft lube or pan lube them to get around a lube sizer. You really should invest in at least a Lee push-through die for your regular reloading press. They don't make one big enough for your needs as they only go up to 0.457 diameter. They are easily polished or lapped out and you can do a search on the forum to find out the how-to's.

[Gelandangan]

One mans medicine may be others poison..

Buy, steal or beg for a bunch of different sizes and shoot them all.
This here website may be the best place to do so since most of us casting our own,
it doesn't cost much to give away a few pellets, you may have to chip in for postages tho..
Choose the one that give you best accuracy.

For hogs?
Bullet placement is much more important than weight differences.
If your load is accurate, the hog wont notice the boolit weights.

Happy Castin, Loadin, shootin and eatin..

[fredj338]

ANother good choice would be the RCBS 300grFPgc. From ww, they are about 315gr ready to load. Easily pushed to 1800fps in the 1895G.

[DLCTEX]

I have both Ranch Dog moulds , 460-350 and 460-420. I prefer the 350 gr., drops about 356 with ww, as it is easier on the shoulder. Either one will drop a hog with aplomb. I also prefer SR 4759 powder.

[Nazgul]

Ditto on the 420gr. I shoot those almost exclusively from an SBL and LTD-V. Also work in a Browning 1886, 458 WM, Browning BPCR and 450 Marlin. I feel they are heavy enough for good penetration, can be driven to a good velocity and are effective.

Don

[stubshaft]

RD425 for me, tumble loobed with xlox, shoots about 1 - 1 1/2 "@100 out of my guide gun with 3031. RCBS 405 out of my 1895 shoots under an inch at 100 with 2400.

[giz189]

I have shot and like the 420gr I have, with 50 grs IMR3031. But you need a recoil pad.

[waco]

rcbs 405 rnfp gc @ around 1800
anything on this continent will parish
just keep it close....within 150 or so.
just my 2 cents!
waco

[Frozone]

Ranch dog 460/350 for 'fun' 460/425 if you Need it.

[haven't got a clue]

Vearl Smith of LBT makes a nice 350 gr. GC expressly for the Marlin. I thumped a nice Alaskan black bear with that projectile, dropped him in his tracks.
Shoots very well in my Marlin and Ruger. (.458 dia.)

[Marlin Hunter]

In a Marlin the bigger the better until the fat lady sings.

or until your shoulder screams for mercy...whichever comes first.