Marlin 1895 SBL

[Snapping Twig]

Been talking about it for years, decided this was the one for me.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/SnappingTwig1/zoom_1895sbl.jpg

Really liked the GG idea, but something was missing, so I waited and now this is what I've waited for.

The big lever is a must. Never had a LG before, but every time I cycled one at the store I had a preference for the big lever.

Typically the sights on a LG are difficult for my old eyes, but the ghost rings seem to work OK. An EER scope will also make its way onto this rifle in due time as I believe 45-70 has quite a useful range and a scope is best for distance - at least for me.

The extra magazine capacity is also nice. 6 rounds is good.

Stainless and a laminate stock means durability. I use my rifles and although I try not to abuse them, sometimes the weather is poor and dings and scrapes happen. This rifle should soak all that up and stay tight.

Does anyone else have an SBL? Thoughts on this rifle?

Load recommendations? Bullet moulds?

I was thinking about a bullet in the low to mid 300's and something in the low 400's.

Any info or thoughts are welcomed.

Thanks

[NickSS]

I do not have the model you do but I own a guide gun, a cowboy model and a standard model (22 inch barrel) model 95s. My favorite bullet mold for them is the RCBS 45--325 mold as for a 400 gr mold I use the Lyman 405 gr FP bullet. I have thought of getting an LBT Flat point mold in the 350 to 400 gr range but have not done so yet. I do not load my guns hot (at least not often) but I find that I shoot a lot of AA 5744 in the 27 to 32 gr range. These are mild loads but then I have never been a fan of getting beat up just to punch paper and shoot deer. The last wild pig I shot was with the 325 gr RCBS bullet ( weighed 340 gr with the soft alloy I used) and 29 gr of AA 5744. It put it down with no problems at about 60 yards.

[tcrocker]

I have the 1895 GS I like the NEI mold #346 .458-440-GC. I use ww only and the boolit comes in at 464 with out gase check and lube. For mild loads I use 37gr of IMR 4198 and for heavy loads try 43.5 gr book lists this load at 1797 fps. The case in the pic is a 30-06:grin: The the hole in the deer is the entrance the exit is only a little bigger but the meat was not messed up almost all meat was good.
http://http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/th_P1000294-1.jpg (http://s556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/?action=view&current=P1000294-1.jpg)http://http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/th_P1000319.jpg (http://s556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/?action=view&current=P1000319.jpg)

[Gee_Wizz01]

I also have an 1895 GG. I use the Ranch Dog 460-350 with either 5744 or H-322. I use the Accurate 5744 for lighter loads at the range and I use the H-322 to push the boolit to about 1900 FPS for hunting. I also have a Ranch Dog 460-420 that I use with a stout load of H4895 for hunting big pigs. Both of these boolits shoot very accurately from my rifle. The 420 gr loaded hot is deadly on pigs, but it is not fun to shoot from the range bench.

G

[crabo]

I have my BIL's guide gun. I have the XS sight rail and sights and am putting them on it tonight. I am also putting a decelerator pad on it. I get to play with the gun, and he is footing the bill for the improvements.

I am going to take it hog hunting in the near future.

The SBL is my next PLANNED lever gun purchase. Key word is planned. You never know what is going to show up.