Took the plunge

[BSkerj]

I took the plunge...Just won off of Gunbroker a 1895 SS 45/70. I was looking for a CB but my wallet wasn't agreeing with the price right now.( I purchased a 1894
.357 CB about a month ago ). I couldn't pass this up though for 450.00 LNIB with scope and sling. I think the scope is coming off though. Now the fun really begins...looking for components, testing loads and all the other stuff that makes this a great hobby. I see a group buy for a Miha mould coming up for the 45/70, I may have to partcipate. [smilie=l:

[6pt-sika]

Very nice and congrats !

For bullet molds you could do alot worse then the Ranch Dog 460-350GC and 460-425GC !

And if those intrest you , NOE has group buys going for both right now !

[9.3X62AL]

You did just fine on that rifle! Congrats, sir!

I share your view that a scoped levergun is 'fusion cuisine' that I can't develop a taste for. Maybe a 1x-4x, or straight 4x--but otherwise you have too much glass on that rifle. I greatly prefer open irons or apertures.

[MtGun44]

I have had excellent results with the RCBS 405 GC boolit over 57 gr of W748 powder with
a magnum primer. This is a low pressure load due to the slow burning powder and is
safe even in trapdoors, which has been verified by Brian Pierce. It runs about 1750
in my SS GG and 5 shot groups run from 1 to 1.5" at 100 yds, depending on how well the
jerk behind the trigger (me) does his part. This is a stout load but not punishing. I have
run up to over 2000 fps with this boolit and THAT is very unpleasant and I just stopped
doing it. You will get equal results with the Remington Jacketed 405 Soft point or Speer
405 Jacketed and the same charge. Shoots to the same point of aim, too.

Bill

[NickSS]

I love my Marlin 95s I bought three over the last 20 years and love them all. My oldest one looks like yours and it is also the only one I have taken game with. I mostly shoot either a RCBS 45-325-FP or a lyman 405 gr FP bullet sized to .459 in my rifles. Mostly I shoot them with AA 5744 with between 27 and 31 gr. These are not hot loads and generate velocities around what you would get with black powder. I have also loaded the 405 slug over 42 gr of 3031 which proved to be very accurate and has more power (and recoil) than my light target loads. I used that load to kill a couple of deer, one elk and two wild hogs. I also loaded up some J word loads with 405 gr Remington bullets and 54 gr of IMR 4895. This last load was very unpleasant to shoot from the bench but very accurate. If you go this hot definately either place a sand bag between you and your rifle butt or wear a Magnum recoil shield. I used the sand bag and still got a head ache. The load was made up for bear protection but was used the following year to put down my elk which it did with great conviction.

[kingstrider]

Very nice! Makes me miss my 1895GS. Now that I have stainless versions in 30/30. 357 & 44 maybe its time to look for another!

[jh45gun]

Congrats

[DLCTEX]

+ 1 0n the Ranch dog moulds. I prefer SR- 4759 powder in the 1700 fps range with the 460- 350 boolit for most of my shooting. A kinder, gentler load.

[FredT]

Leave the scope on until you conclude your load development. You might even like it afterwards.

[excess650]

I have the earlier version with straight grip. My preference is to just use a receiver sight, but a compact, low power variable 1-4x or so isn't a bad option.

Having shot heavy loads with 405gr jacketed bullets, I'm now going to try the 350gr GC Ranch Dog for a bit less recoil. The PG stock seems a little less handy to me, but may handle the recoil a little better.