Finally found a good load for my 45/70

[BSkerj]

I bought a 1895 Marlin over 2 months ago. LNIB made in 1993. I had a heck of a time getting the right loads put together. After a new 5D Willliams peep, new recoil pad, due to the heavy loads when working my way up the load ladder, 3 moulds, (thanks to Slingshot for sending me some 457193 bullets ) 4 different powders and 3 different lubes I hit paydirt . Lyman 457124, 40 grns of IMR 4198, and BAC lube. I was about ready to give up. I think my wife was ready to commit me..I would literally get out of my truck from the range, talking to myself (hand jestures, including group sizing as I was talking, walking and shaking my head) and disappear into the man room , make up another batch and head back to the range with clipboard in hand (fortunately I only live about a 1/2 mile away). All is well again until Miha gets the 325 grn mould ready to go on the group buy. Thanks to everyone on this forum for their advice and years of experiance ![smilie=w:

[btroj]

I have had a tough time finding a bad load for mine. My 1895 is about 4 years old but it has shot well with almost anything I have tried. It is almost as agreeable as my 32-20.

[crabo]

420460 group buy, 40 of 3031, WW primer, Starline cases gives about 1400 out of a guide gun and is nice to shoot. 1 1/2 at 100 yards, plenty good as the rifle breaks in.

[JJC]

I'm with you my 1895 is kicking my butt. This has been the longest load work up of any firearm I load for. About there though, in time for a GB to pick up anutter mold and start again.

[Doc Highwall]

BSkerj, what did you use for an alloy and what size did you size the bullets to and what was the OAL? What was your group size and at what distance?

[BSkerj]

Doc,
I am using straight WW sized to .459 with OAL at 2.55. The group size was 3 shot group at a inch and a half from 50 yds. Loosened up at 75 and 100 yds but still very tolerable. I also used TP wadding on my first batch and did not see a noticible difference other than looked like snow in August.

[jh45gun]

SO if yours was made in 93 I suspect it is a microgroove barrel? Maybe that's why all the work trying to find a load with cast.

[NickSS]

I have a 1980s vintage MG barreled 95 marlin that I feed several different loads through and have had good results with all of them. My favorite practice load is a 325 gr RCBS 457-325-F bullet over 27 gr of AA 5744. This is not a fast load but it shoots very well. I have also loaded the same bullet with 40 gr of 4198 for a deer load with excellent results. Then for dangerous game I loaded a 405 gr Remingtof soft point with 54 gr of 4895 (this load is a thumper at both ends).

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I realise this is after the fact but I was wondering IF you tried to slug the throat area of that Marlin? I have several and they all shoot a .460+ diameter boolit far better. Actualy one takes a .462 and it is about all that it can stand to chamber . But the good news is you have a load that shoots nicely.

[Jack Stanley]

I don't remember what I size mine to but I know it's over .460" , the fatter the slug I used the better it grouped .

Jack

[jh45gun]

I size mine .459 but then I suspect that hollow base on my bullet helps fill the bore well.

[Just Duke]

4198 has always worked well for me.