350 cast load for 1895 Marlin Ballard

[stillhunter]

Have just acquired a very nice 1895 Marlin in 45-70. It has ballard rifling. What would you suggest as a starting load for 350 GR plain base "Better Bullets". Taking advantage of the forum to save some R&D.!! Thank you

[beemer]

I use 28-30 grs of Accurate 5744 or 32-33 grs of IMR 4198 and a 7 tenths of a gr. dacron filler behind a Lee 340 gr. plain base boolit. I don't feel I need a gas check boolit at trapdoor load levels. Accurate 5744 seems to be a good powder for cast from my 30-30 to the 45-70. Hope you like your 1895, they are really nice rifles.

beemer

[jjamna]

I use 38 grains of IMR 3031 to push 350 gr Ranch Dog Bollits thru a 1895 Cowboy. Getting 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds.

[twotrees]

I have been using the Lee BB 365 Gr (With my alloy) and some laser cast ( Yuck , pthuuuie) 405 BB's with the same load. 48 Gr IMR 3031. It kills with athority and the Lee shoots real well. The Laser cast, well they may get remelted and re- cast in the lee mold.

Cases fall out and the scope has only drawn blood twice , from the bench.

Good Shooting,

TwoTrees

[WKAYE]

Mine shot well with the Lee 340 and 13 gr of Unique.

[stillhunter]

Many thanks, I will post a target, when/if I get one worth bragging about!!