Marlin 1895 45/70 Government

[DHORNE]

Just brought home my new 45/70, I have been drooling over this caliber for a while. I'm looking for some reliable loading information, all input is appreciated. Thanks!

[jlchucker]

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, as well as their Vol. 48 and 49 Reloading Handbook is a good place to start. Also, you may want to Google up the Accurate Arms website and see what they say for their AA5744 loads.

[Charlie Sometimes]

Search through all the threads here- there are a lot of loads across the spectrum of boolits and powders listed here and there. Lots of good reading and other ideas, too!
Unique seems to be popular, as is 2400, IMR 3031, Varget, Trail Boss, and IMR 4198. Don't forget the Holy Black in FFg either!

It will depend on your choice of boolits, too.

I didn't ever think I'd go above a 300 gr. in 45 Colt (handgun or rifle), but now that I have a 45-70, I find it's just plain ol' fun to shoot, and cast, and load, and shoot, and cast.........well you get the idea. I might even do some deer hunting this coming fall with it.

ENJOY!

[DHORNE]

I have the Lyman 48th edition and had some problems with some of their data, lost a little faith in the manual. Thank's for the suggestions, I'll keep looking thru some of the threads.

[missionary5155]

Good afternoon
I find I am generally loading 300 grainers for everyday fun and walking about the river bottoms when up there. I seriously dought there is any critter where i tromp (East ILL) that a 300 grainer will not completely penetrate. That is a 50/50 ww-lead mix at 1500.
Most any medium burning powder can accomplish this velocity.
IF you really want to thump any 400 grainer around 1850 fps will do the job. I am sort of partial to 3031 in this bullet weight but others will do as well.
I do not shoot much heavier in my Marlin as the system restricks long loaded bullets. Heavier are available =Ranch Dog= and they are good. I just figure if that will not get the job done I will get out a single shot and smack whatever with a 500 grainer.

[Lead Fred]

Ya I walk though the valley of death, I fear not
For I carry a 45-70 with 405gr boolits
and I am the meanest mother in the valley

[DHORNE]

Thank's for the info, a 300 grain is what I was looking at, don't think I'll need anything more. I am looking for info on powder and charge weight for accuracy and know that you guys with more experiance with this caliber, have already found thru testing and experiance. I will take personal knowledge over manuals anyday.

[jtaylor1960]

I use 50.0 grs. of H-4895 and a 420gr cast bullet.You can go more but there is no need .At 50 yds with a peep sight that will shoot 5/8". Hodgdons has load data on their website.

[bearcove]

For accuracy you might want to try a heavier boolit, ie LONGER.

[freakshow10mm]

I've only used 405gr heavier for lead. Only jacketed bullet I'll shoot is the Hornady 350gr RNFP.

I run 12.5gr TrailBoss with a lead 405gr and it's a very good plinker load. I've used the same bullet with IMR4198 to duplicate BP loads as well as full power loads with great accuracy.

[Charlie Sometimes]

I've only used 405gr heavier for lead. Only jacketed bullet I'll shoot is the Hornady 350gr RNFP.

I run 12.5gr Trail Boss with a lead 405gr and it's a very good plinker load. I've used the same bullet with IMR4198 to duplicate BP loads as well as full power loads with great accuracy.

What are your charge weights with 4198? I've been considering getting some and trying this one.

[Curlymaple42]

Been messing with 405gr hardcast loads for a bit and just loaded some with Re7. Now THAT is the balls!! SOmething about the burn rate it is pretty mellow to shoot. I had some other test loads using 3031, 4320, and another and they were brutal in terms of recoil. The Re7 sent those chunks of lead into 1.5" groups at 100yds using an Eotech holographic sight. I call it my Cowboy Tactical gun! I was running 300gr Hornady's at around 2100fps and they of course thumped your shoulder pretty good and rapped your knuckles. I bought some 405gr hardcast as someone suggested it and they are great for deer hunting as they drill right through and cause the perfect amount of terminal damage. So I bought some and I now LOVE them! Haven't killed anything yet as I have been carrying the .50Beowulf AR15 for a few yrs now. Dropped a couple bucks with that with minimal meat damage too.

[freakshow10mm]

What are your charge weights with 4198? I've been considering getting some and trying this one.

The light load was the trapdoor load from the Hodgdon manual. I use Ruger level loads for the full power loads.

[DLCTEX]

I'm loading the 460-350 RD boolit ahead of 25-30 gr. of SR 4759 ( I like 27 gr.) easy on the shoulder and accurate.

[jh45gun]

The light load was the trapdoor load from the Hodgdon manual. I use Ruger level loads for the full power loads.

Wouldn't them Ruger loads be over kill in a Model 1895? There is a reason the Marlin and Winchester guns have their own section in the reloading guides.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

If you look, there is a ton of info out there, on this site and others along with several good books devoted to this old war horse in trap door, levers and single shots and the large ring Siamese mauser...good reading..

[freakshow10mm]

Wouldn't them Ruger loads be over kill in a Model 1895? There is a reason the Marlin and Winchester guns have their own section in the reloading guides.

No. The .450 Marlin is housed in the same exact action and barrel and it's pressure far exceeds the 45-70 trapdoor and is closer to midway between the Levergun and Ruger loads. The brass (Starline) and action can take it. Work up as with any other load. Usually in the Guide Gun, recoil will stop you before pressure ever does. The full charge of Levergun loads will rock you pretty good.

[DHORNE]

Thanks a lot guys a lot of good choices, think I will start with a few of theese and see what me and my rifle likes. Thanks!

[Char-Gar]

YOu will be happier with a bullet of 400 or over grain weight. RCBS designed their 405 GC with this rifle in mind and it is a crackerjack for just about any purpose.

In the Marlin, size these bullets as large as you can .460 isn't too large.

I used 25-30 grains of 4759 depending on how much oompf I want. 27 grains is about right for most uses. I find this load very accurate in my Marlin.

[jh45gun]

No. The .450 Marlin is housed in the same exact action and barrel and it's pressure far exceeds the 45-70 trapdoor and is closer to midway between the Levergun and Ruger loads. The brass (Starline) and action can take it. Work up as with any other load. Usually in the Guide Gun, recoil will stop you before pressure ever does. The full charge of Levergun loads will rock you pretty good.

I WAS NOT TALKING TRAPDOOR LOADS I distinctly said the Winchester/Marlin Loads.