Just picked up my new Marlin .45-70

[njc110381]

Hey guys. My FAC came back from the police last Saturday so I finally got to go and collect the used Marlin that I'd put my name to a few months ago.

It turns out that it started life as an 1895ss. The barrel has been cut down to around 16" and threaded for muzzle brake or moderator. The brake came with it and cuts the recoil in half, but it's still a bit of a beast! I need to start casting for it as the shop only had about 25 rounds for me to test it with.

The next question about the gun, something that I've read but never experienced, is the use of .410 shotgun shells. What can it fire? I guess 2.5"? Fibre wad or plastic? Will it cycle from the mag or is it single feed only? I plan to home load with the Starline brass that I bought so that leaves me the 25 W-W cases to make shot shells if that's a better idea?

I'll put a photo up when I get a chance. I'm really impressed with my new toy!

[monge]

Had mine out today ringing steel at 200yards great gun and round don't know about 410shells love mine so much don't want to mess it up

[rancher1913]

enjoy making ammo and shooting my trapdoor, not the same as your new gun but close. an old guy at work was telling me that as a kid the 45-70 trapdoor was the only gun they had and he would take boolits and 410 shells and would use whichever for the kind of game he ran into. he said he loved shooting 410 shells out of it.

[snowtigger]

I know Marlins will shoot 2 1/2" 410's. I read somewhere that it will eject Remingtons, but not Winchesters. Something about rim design... Mine will load from the mag. I load only two in the mag when moose hunting. If I see a bird and decide to shoot it, I can load the shell in the mag and cycle it normally.

[njc110381]

Thanks for your replies. I'll try the shells I have in it when I get a spare moment.

I'm now off out to the garage to have my first try at casting. I've got a Lee 405 mold so will clean that out, lube and smoke it. I've also got a pan of lead that I've alloyed with some pewter, which may be a bit soft but I only plan to run it very gently.

Hopefully I'll be back in a few hours with pictures of some perfect bullets.... But don't count on it!:veryconfu

[osteodoc08]

I shoot 350 and 400/405 gr book it's out of my Marlins. They are cast of ACWW with 1-2% tin added in. Hornady GC and RandyRats TacX for lube. Shoots 1-1.5 MOA so long as I can withstand the recoil.

[njc110381]

Every wheel weight I've looked at in the UK since I started thinking about casting has been zinc. I don't even know if we have lead ones here any more?!

My roofing lead bullets have gone ok. I messed up a few which was to be expected, but I've remelted them and tried again. I have a few niggles which I'll save for a new post, but I think they'll shoot acceptably.

[wingspar]

Tho I don’t have a 45/70, (have toyed with the idea of one, but may never do it), this is the first time I have ever heard of anyone shooting .410 shotgun shells thru a 45/70. Wonder if that messes with the riffling? Can you load them in the Marlin 1894 magazine and cycle them as you can the 45/70 rounds?

[rancher1913]

interesting point about messing up the rifling, I would guess as long as you stayed with lead shot and not steel you would be fine.

[pietro]

Tho I don’t have a 45/70, (have toyed with the idea of one, but may never do it), this is the first time I have ever heard of anyone shooting .410 shotgun shells thru a 45/70. Wonder if that messes with the riffling? Can you load them in the Marlin 1894 magazine and cycle them as you can the 45/70 rounds?


I'd be more concerned that the rifling spins the shot load, making donut-shaped (hole in the center) birdshot patterns.


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[txbirdman]

"I'd be more concerned that the rifling spins the shot load, making donut-shaped (hole in the center) birdshot patterns."

That's what happens with my little Bond derringer in 45 Colt. The 2 1/2" .410 don't work so well but the 45 Colt snake shot with the plastic cups (keeps the pellets out of the rifling) works very well. I've killed a couple of copperheads with it.

[njc110381]

I think it's purely a close range thing. I would expect the pattern to be hollow - I'll let you know when I try it.