Need to build a 40-65 load for original 1895 Marlin

[saz]

Any levergun shooters out there with 40-65 experience? I have found lots of data for single shot rifles, not much at all for levers. I was recently given my Grandfather's 1895 Marlin in 40-65. I ran the serial # and it is an 1895 manufacture. I want to build a load for it and take her deer hunting this fall. I have found a couple of Lyman and one RCBS mold that are all between 240 and 260grs, so I am looking for some advice. This is going to be loaded to BP pressures, so my goal is probably around 1200fps with 250ish gr boolit. Any advice?

Oh BTW, here she is. All original. Hasn't been fired in at least 50 years......
171606
171607

[hpbear101]

saz, first off what a fantastic rifle, I want either a 1895 or a 1881 to go with my Winchester 1886's. I don't have any experience with the 1895 but I know it is stronger than the predecessor 1881. I have a copy of the Lyman Load Data for Classic American Calibers, this includes the 40-65. It lists the pressure levels which are pretty mild for cast bullets, however it says since there is no SAAMI spec it only recommends these loads for modern smokeless firearms. For a 240 gr cast they range from 7,300CUP to to 17,700CUP so I guess it's your choice as I suspect most manufacturers are going to be hesitant to list load data for a non-SAAMI spec cartridge. Have you considered loading with BP? I load both smokeless and BP in my 1886 45-70's and both shoot very well. BP is easy to clean up after, it is just that you need to do it fairly soon after firing.

Good luck with your project, that is a beautiful rifle you have there!

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/329/1/BOOK-LD-CARC

[6pt-sika]

I had a circa 1896 Marlin 1895 in 40-65 a couple years back . I pretty much went by Venturino's book . I used Quality Cartridge brass , cast the Lyman 403169 from straight wheelweights , pushed it with 24 grains of XMP5744 and set it off with a CCI200 primer . Killed a smallish whitetail buck with it at 36 yards . Shot him behind the shoulder he ran 20 yards and rolled over end of discussion . That was in 2006 .