1895 Cowboy issues

[Lead melter]

Well, I finally bit the financial boolit and dropped the coin for a brand spanking new Marlin 1895 Cowboy 45/70. Like the gun, but issues came up from the get-go.

As a starting point, I loaded up some Lee 405-FN hollow base boolits over 27 grains AA5744. At 100 yards, the boolit impacted about a foot low even with the rear sight at its highest position. Installed a Marbles tang sight and the farthest I could get out was 300 yards. The culprit was the front sight...way too tall. So I replaced it with the sight from an old 336, filed off the bead to make a flat post and problem fixed.

Or so I thought. Boolits impacted all over the paper as if in a hurricane. Peened the front sight base and problem fixed.

After 50 rounds, the bolt holding the lever backed out to almost falling out. Locktite and problem fixed.

Now, before the rifle falls apart, I need some loads. Want to stay in the 400-500 grain area with boolit speed about 1300-1500fps. I may hunt with the rifle some day, but right now it's going to be used to clang steel at 100-600 yards.

Ya'll boys got some ideas? And what else do I need to look out for? Surely I haven't found all the bugs.

[smilie=b:

[NVcurmudgeon]

After 50 rounds, the bolt holding the lever backed out to almost falling out. Locktite and problem fixed.

Now, before the rifle falls apart, I need some loads. Want to stay in the 400-500 grain area with boolit speed about 1300-1500fps.

[smilie=b:

I haven't had a Marlin 1895 for a few years now, but that rifle, as well as my current 336 and 1894, managed to hold on to their lever screws very well. When I reassemble a Marlin I tighten the lever screw just snug. The screw will then move in and out about 1/4 to 1/2 turn, but no more, as the lever is cycled. After three Marlins, I thought it was one of those things that one has to live with, like the floppy but good trigger!

If the current 1895 Cowboy has the same overall cartridge length limits as the 1972 version of the 1895, you might want to rethink using boolits of more than 400 gr. nominal weight. Marlin says 500 gr. boolits/bullets won't feed. My 1895 gave excellent accuracy and perfect feeding with the RCBS 400 gr. GC boolit, actual weight 426 gr. in WW alloy. 2400, IMR 4198, and IMR 3031 all shot very well at 1300 fps. and made for enjoyable shooting. Elmer Keith loads were not quite as pleasant in that light rifle.

[Jon K]

The 1:20 twist in the 1895 might also be too slow for the 500 grainer.

Jon

[felix]

Too slow for all out competition at 800 yards plus. Otherwise, not. Assuming 45 caliber. ... felix

[MtGun44]

I was unable to get the Lee 405 to shoot in my Guide Gun, but
the RCBS 405 GC groups about 1-1.5" at 100 yds over 57.0 W748,
which is a low pressure load that produces 1750 in my short
bbl GG, should be 100 fps faster in the long bbl rifle. I think
you may have some trajectory issues at the longer ranges
with the lower velocities you are thinking about.

This load does really well as a hunting load in my GG with the
j-word Rem 405, too.

If you do go for the low vel loads, try 12 gr gr Unique or
so under the 405 RCBS GC, this has worked for me, is mild
but I have not chrono'd it, but guess it is in the low vel
range you mentioned. I get about 2.5" at 100 with this load.

Bill

[MT Chambers]

The 405gr. Saeco and 48grs of AA2015 makes my Cowboy gun sing a deadly song.

[6pt-sika]

I have a 1895CB that I have shot the Ranch Dog 420 grain GC mould in with very good results .
It also seems to like the Ranch Dog 350 grainer .

Before the Ranch Dog moulds I had been shooting the Lyman 330 grain PB HP "Gould" bullet .

With the Gould I used SR4759 and with the 2 RD moulds I have been using XMP5744 .:drinks:

[Lloyd Smale]

the rcbs 405 and 500 rfgc bullets have allways shot real well out of my marlins. If i had to pick only one bullet to live with for the rest of my life in a marlin 4570 it would be the 405 rcbs.

[ebner glocken]

One of the first things I did with my 1895CB was drive the factory sights and put in a williams FP and a lyman globe front sight. The best I remember mine shot low with the factorys.

[Lead melter]

Got the RCBS 405 GC, Ranch Dog 420, Unique, and 748. Along with IMR-3031 I think I can find something that goes BOOM...........Clang! BTW, does that Unique load need any filler?

[6pt-sika]

BTW, does that Unique load need any filler?

If ya want something you don't have to worry about a filler with , try some of the IMR "Trailboss" , I have used it in my 40-82 and it darn near fills the case .

This stuff is donut shaped and very very fluffy (for lack of a better term) .