Marlin 1895G 45/70, GC or PB?

[Steel185]

I really can't decide on this one. Its my first 45/70, and I've fired several different store bought ammo sized bullets and it likes 405gr the best. I will use it to Hog hunt mostly and the ocasional deer. probibly won't go beyond 200yds, getting skinner sights (I like iron sites).

I like bullets with a wide malet, been looking at accurate molds, i like the "squarer" nose vs the rounder nose of like the Lee 90374. http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-400B-D.png

I also like Ranch Dog's 350 and 425s, but they are both gas check. I will probibly only load a few hundred for backup/ammo storage and shoot 100-200(fresh reloads) a year, so that goes into the factor too. Speed: I like to work up a load to get the most accurate. I have hard and soft alloys.

After all this background info, Do i need a GC? or would PB serve me fine?

Or any suggested molds that would be more what I'm looking for?

thanks, I don't have many posts, because I read more than i post here. I love this forum.

[EDK]

I'm kinda in the same situation as you are. I've had 45/70s since the early 1970s and shoot them a lot for awhile and then go back to 357 or 44 magnum 1894 MARLINS and my revolvers. Then I get into the 45/70 again and repeat the cycle. I've had a RUGER #3, an early 1895 MARLIN, and currently a pair of 1895 COWBOY RIFLES.

I used a RCBS 300 grain gas check boolit for years (RCBS also makes a plain base version 45-325 U that is very similar,) but later bought a 350 grain round nose flat point plain based mould. I'd suggest you first buy the RANCH DOG mould in the weight you think you'll like. A box of 1000 gas checks...get them from BLAMMER here at a considerably better price than other places...will last you quite awhile. If you decide to shoot more than you posted, either get a plain base mould or buy more gas checks.

I've had pretty good luck on used moulds on eBay. A new mould from GRAFS, etc isn't that expensive either.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[Larry Gibson]

The GC'd bullet will prove better in the long run for best accuracy at any velocity with the hard or soft alloys. A PB'd bullet gets limited as velocity increases, especially above 1600 fps.

Larry Gibson

[crabo]

What speed are you looking for? If you get it at 1600 and under, you can do well with a plain base.(like Larry says) I am really happy with the results I am getting with the group buy 460420 plain based in my guide gun. I have a gas checked mold, but I can't see breaking it out with this gun.

At 1500 fps, it is quite comfortable to shoot a lot. Crank up the speed, crank up the pain. Zero'd at 75 yards, it is about 7 inches low at 150 yards, but I am getting 2" groups at that range. I am going to do some at 200 to see what it does as far as drop and group size.

[1kshooter]

I have tried about 6-7 differeant molds and weights and have setteled on the .460-420 Ranch Dog and there is no looking back for me ...wish i would have started there in the first place!!http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/bowboy/0719012148a.jpg
I just bought the RD .432-265 for my new 1894 44mag and I am sure it will impress me just as much long term and I have no plans to buy any other molds for the .44 ...well i might get the RD 432-300 lolhttp://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/bowboy/0723011423b.jpg good luck with your gunand have fun!
Jonathan

[missionary5155]

Good morning
If all you are going to pop is corn crunchers & piggys I cannot imaging an average pig up to 400 pounds that will get tooo far after getting properly popped with a 350 -400 grainer. Deer are less tough to drop unless you are in the habbit of shooting deer through the rump trying to dismount the antlers. An old hunter form years ago in Michigan told me to figure 1 grain of lead per pound of critter. This was figured at BP velocities and in 38-55 & larger bores. As we did not have any wandering griz, buffs or mastadones to consider it seemed to work real good. Animals have not gotten any tougher over the years..
Mike in Peru

[btroj]

Go to The "Vendor Sponsor Sales" area now and get one of the NOE 460 405 PB moulds. I have a very similar Lee group buy mould from a few years back and my Marlin loves that bullet with 24 gr of 2400. At 1350 it will handle any deer or hogs I come across.
I have the RD moulds, 420 and 350, but use them little as I don't excess 1600 very often. I have gone to 1650 with the plain base. It leads a small amount but not enough to be an issue for hunting.

[RobS]

If you have the money for a good mold, Tom at AM can build you both a GC and a PB in the same mold. With Tom, I designed the two 46-375's for my Dad's Marlin 1895 SBL, excellent accuracy with the PB under 1600 fps and the GC for the upper end loads. He wouldn't have any problems designing the 375's nose on a 405 grain body. Food for thought.

[1kshooter]

Go to The "Vendor Sponsor Sales" area now and get one of the NOE 460 405 PB moulds. I have a very similar Lee group buy mould from a few years back and my Marlin loves that bullet with 24 gr of 2400. At 1350 it will handle any deer or hogs I come across.
I have the RD moulds, 420 and 350, but use them little as I don't excess 1600 very often. I have gone to 1650 with the plain base. It leads a small amount but not enough to be an issue for hunting.

ummm want to sell your 350gr? lol....if you are not going to use it I would be happy to offer you a fair price for it!
Jonathan

[btroj]

I plan to keep the 350. Never know when I might need it. Killed one deer with it. Sort of over kill using a 350 trainer at 1700 to shoot a deer at 15 yards.

[EDK]

I plan to keep the 350. Never know when I might need it. Killed one deer with it. Sort of over kill using a 350 trainer at 1700 to shoot a deer at 15 yards.

Years ago, we farmed near a Mississippi river levee. There was a mound of dirt made from the ditch at the base of the levee that was a local impromptu shooting range. While I was out trying out my new RUGER #3 in 45/70, the land maintenance guy in charge of the levee said to pop any muskrats that I saw in the ditch. Sooo, one day a muskrat presented itself and got a 300 grainer with a healthy charge of 2400 under it.

:cbpour::redneck::Fire: