457124 Lyman

[BSkerj]

I just bought a Lyman 457124 385 grn RN off of a fellow member. I plan on shooting out of my Marlin 1895 45/70. Anyone have pros and cons on using this out of a lever? Also good load suggestions using 3031. Thanks in advance

[Larry Gibson]

I don't have a Marlin 1895 but for many years I've been shooing the Lyman 457124 out of TDs. I cast them pretty soft and the weight is more like 395 - 400 gr. I mostly use 5744 or 4895 but have used 35 gr of 3031 with a 1 gr dacron filler. Velocity is 1230 fps and accuracy is excellent at 2 moa or better (issue M1879 sights). Friends have shot my loads in their M1895s and GGs with very good results. A pleasant load to shoot. A little stouter load for my Siamese Mause which works fine in Marlins also is the 457124 cast of WWs +2% tin over 43 gr 4895 and a 3/4 gr dacron filler. Velocity runs 1550 fps with 2 moa accuracy. Any more velocity and accuracy goes south not only with this PB bullet but with most others unless cast very hard. At 1550 fps it is avery good load for most applications requiring a heavier load.

Larry Gibson

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I have been using this bullet in 45-70 for many years now in an 86, a roller and a Winny Hi wall. 35 grains of 3031 is a good middlin load with a little room up or down for grouping adjustment. Lower is considered safer in the trapdoors, but you can go into the low forties with the stronger actions and still stay in the 1400 fps area, Hotter than that pushes the velocity into the stronger recoil ballpark. I once had a load recommended to me by the NRA technical staff that was 53 grains of 3031 and that was really potent...if one needs that, but 1700-1800 fps generates around 3200 ft.pounds of ME and kicks like a blue mule...but there is nothing living in the woods of the western hemisphere that you have to be afraid of ever meeting. Bullets for that type of performance would have to be cast harder than for lower velocities and you probably won't enjoy shooting many of them in one day. LLS