Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun bullet diameter

[Who said]

I will be picking up a new Marlin 1895G today. From what I have read on this forum and elsewhere Marlin 45-70's, in general, tend to like larger diameter cast bullets .460-.462.
I know the first step is Slug the bore.
My question to the experts here is; Is there a down side to using .461 or .462 cast bullets of the proper alloy even if the bore is in the .457 to .459 range?

[DLCTEX]

Mine does well with .460 dia.

[Keyston44]

I have a Lee 405-457-F that drops them at .459 that I shoot as dropped with good success and a Ranch Dog 425-460 that I size to .460 when installing the gas check that shoots great.
Between mine, and friends Marlin 45-70's and 450 Marlins that I have slugged, they all came out at .457.

Key

[pipehand]

Mine are.sized .4605 and shoot great in the Guide gun.

[1bluehorse]

I have a Lee 405-457-F that drops them at .459 that I shoot as dropped with good success and a Ranch Dog 425-460 that I size to .460 when installing the gas check that shoots great.
Between mine, and friends Marlin 45-70's and 450 Marlins that I have slugged, they all came out at .457.

Key


This has been my experience with Marlins as well. A bullet sized to .458 will shoot just fine. No real advantage to a larger diameter.

[Who said]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will order a Lee mold and see how it works.

[Ateam]

This has been my experience with Marlins as well. A bullet sized to .458 will shoot just fine. No real advantage to a larger diameter.

Mine slugged at 456 which I was quite happy about as it allowed me to shoot a softer (smaller) boolit. A standard 458 sizer seems to work just fine with mine.