1895's trajectory

[Oklahoma Rebel]

I have a 2-3 yr old marlin 1895 45-70 w/ 22" barrel. I have heard if you sight them to shoot low they will be alittle high at 100 and dead on at like 125. I know the fundamental principle is correct, but does anyone here have an answer or any experience with this. I hunt in the wood of NE Oklahoma so my shots are usually no more that 60-70 yards, exept in one WMA the hae a cople fields about 200-300 yards long. an suggestions on the best way to sight in would be appreciated. I only have a 50 yard rang on or property (5acres) so that's why I have it set there, but I could always change that and just hold over/under on my range. Thank you!, Travis

[rintinglen]

Based on my lever action silhouette experiences, I would sight about three inches high at 50, which would leave you and inch or so high at 100 and about 4 inches low at 150. Without a sight change, 200 is pretty much out of the question. This presupposes a standard 1300-1400 fps cast boolit load in the 325-375 grain range.

[TCLouis]

Plug some data in to this and it will give pretty good estimates.
Check impact at 50 to compare with the chart the calculator gives you.


http://www.handloads.com/calc/index.html

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I used a 300 grain bullet at 2000plus fps. I normally sighted in at 150 yards, at 50 I was about 1.5" high, at 100 - about 2.5" high, 200 yards - 7" low using a scope on a 22" Marlin 1895 .45-70, normally I was shooting at 9000 feet altitude. The thick air at lower altitude may add a bit to your trajectory arc.

[Oklahoma Rebel]

thanks guys, mostlyleverguns, who makes a 300? I know of the lyman 292, but I would rather go for 325-350, for that little bit extra downrange energy. I will run some numbers through the calculator, and also save it for later use. I have been looking for that calculator for a long time, and for some reason it has eluded me. thanks a lot, Travis

[26Charlie]

My leverguns with cast bullets mostly have a bead front sight. I sight in to group at the top of the bead at 100 yards, which generally puts the group at center of the bead at 150, and the bottom of the bead at 200. That is the farthest I would chance a shot with the iron sights.

[Tom Myers]

thanks guys, mostlyleverguns, who makes a 300? I know of the lyman 292, but I would rather go for 325-350, for that little bit extra downrange energy. I will run some numbers through the calculator, and also save it for later use. I have been looking for that calculator for a long time, and for some reason it has eluded me. thanks a lot, Travis

Travis,

These are some numbers and a chart generated by the new, soon to be released, Precision Ballistics Software (http://www.tmtpages.com/basbal/bal.htm), using the Ranch Dog TLC460-350-RF at 1600 fps.

Hope this helps.

http://www.tmtpages.com/LinkSkyImages/45-70%20Trajectory/RD%20TLC460-350-RF%20PBR.PNG

http://www.tmtpages.com/LinkSkyImages/45-70%20Trajectory/RD%20TLC460-350-RF%20PBR-Chart.PNG

[MostlyLeverGuns]

RCBS makes a gas check 45-300-FN. I have shot multiple elk with 300 grain bullets. Most have been full penetration, even when both shoulders are hit. A medium size muley buck was a complete penetration from right shoulder out the left hip. I did find bullets under the hide on the far side of a moose shot quartering through the shoulder. The recoil of 350's and the poor trajectories of heavier bullets with little gain in killing effect have kept me from them. The 300 grain at 2000+ fps is a legitimate 200+ yards hunting load, without a team calling out yardage and twirling dials on a scope.