Just slugged my Marlin 1895...

[gefiltephish]

It measures .457. I'm going to order a bullet sizer die from Buckshot, so now I'm not sure if I should get .459 or go right to .460. I can always open the .459 if need be, eh?

I'm going to be using the Mihec 459122HP mold. I ordered it as .462 but just emailed him to ask about getting it in .460 instead. It may be too late in the process to make that change though.

I'm also going to have Buckshot make a Lyman M die expander for this boolit. Advice on dimensions? 1st step .002 under boolit dia, 2nd step .002 or .003 over boolit dia?

[Four Fingers of Death]

I'm not the world's greatest expert, but I would have thought that at 457, a standard 458 die would be the ticket. It would be nice to have one or two of Buckshot's dies though.

[gefiltephish]

My 1911's slug at .451 and I size to .452. It works. My 9mm slugs at .3555 and I size to .358. Well, it sort of works. I've read where so many people have said that because this gun has fairly shallow grooves, they size to .459 or.460.

You're certainly right, I may very well be happy as a clam with the standard size. That said, I don't want to buy dies twice, or modify them if I don't have to. If other's barrels slug at .457 also and they are happiest shooting 459-460, why not? With cast, I'd rather err too big than too small.

[Char-Gar]

fish--- in a Marlin 45-70 levergun, go 460! You won't regret it. Trust me on this one! You can probably get by with .459, but if you are having a custom die made, do it right. Buckshot, in addition be being a very fine fellow also makes primo stuff. He has sure been a help to me in many ways.

[rhead]

Were you able to get a measurement on the chamber throat area. Marlins generally run rather generous there. >460 will probably be enough. A check of the inside dimensions of a fired unsized case will tell you something.

[gefiltephish]

Were you able to get a measurement on the chamber throat area. Marlins generally run rather generous there. >460 will probably be enough. A check of the inside dimensions of a fired unsized case will tell you something.
I don't know how to measure the throat. Good thinkin', I'm getting 459-460 on fired unsized cases. 460 it is then.

Thanks everyone.

[jtaylor1960]

I have been using a .459 but am still getting a little leading.I ordered a larger one to see if it makes a difference.

[jh45gun]

I size mine at .459 with no issues and I get great accuracy.

[HCL]

Mine slugged at .457 so boolits get sized to .458 and they shoot great.
Mike

[Charlie Sometimes]

I can shoot boolits that cast at 459 in my Marlin 1985SS, and I size larger diameter ones to 460.
Those sized 459 have only been shot at Trap Door velocites, and are not being pushed very hard, IMHO- cut boolit holes at 75 yd. :mrgreen: Those sized 460 are getting the Lever Gun-class loads, and do as well, so far. I think the "oversized" boolits hug the microgroove rifling better, depending on boolit hardness and velocity. :grin:

[WHITETAIL]

If your Marlin is mikeing out at .457 then a .459-460 is the way to go.:popcorn:

[jlchucker]

I bought my Marlin 1895 a bit over 30 years ago, and started loading for it right away. It's never seen a store-bought loaded round. I didn't know much about casting back then, but bought a mold on the recommendation of a co-worker who was an avid handloader, caster, and inventor of his own wildcats. He, and the Lyman book I had back then, recommended a .458 sizer, so that's what I bought. The groups were about 1 inch at 100 yd, with my microgroove Marlin, and I still haven't bought a bigger sizer for boolits for that rifle. I must have got lucky back then. I would guess, from what you say, .458 would probably work in your gun pretty well, but it's worth trying some .459-460 if it doesn't.

[JesterGrin_1]

You can get a Lee Push through sizer from Ranch Dog. :). Just thought I should throw that out there.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I have 3 Marlins in 45-70 and none are under .460 at the throat area. One is .461+...
I think Marlin thought everyone was still shooting BP all the time when they made chamber reamers. I sure hope the NEW owners get the act together.

[thx997303]

I would go .460" My 1895 slugs at .458" and the ID of fired brass is .462"

[ghh3rd]

and the ID of fired brass is .462"
This is an interesting thread, as I have a Marlin 1895, and haven't measured it yet. I have a silly question. Wouldn't the OD indicate the chamber size since outside of the brass conforms to the chamber?

Thanks - Randy

[rhead]

This is an interesting thread, as I have a Marlin 1895, and haven't measured it yet. I have a silly question. Wouldn't the OD indicate the chamber size since outside of the brass conforms to the chamber?

Thanks - Randy

The brass has to be able to release the boolit on firing. Also the throat area just ahead of the chamber is one the critical areas. If the boolit gets damaged in this area it will not likely get better later. The less gases that get between the boolit and the steel the better. It will also remain straighter if it is a better fit.

[WyrTwister]

It measures .457. I'm going to order a bullet sizer die from Buckshot, so now I'm not sure if I should get .459 or go right to .460. I can always open the .459 if need be, eh?

I'm going to be using the Mihec 459122HP mold. I ordered it as .462 but just emailed him to ask about getting it in .460 instead. It may be too late in the process to make that change though.

I'm also going to have Buckshot make a Lyman M die expander for this boolit. Advice on dimensions? 1st step .002 under boolit dia, 2nd step .002 or .003 over boolit dia?

My Marlins like Lee 405 HB bullets , sized to .460".

God bless
wyr

[thx997303]

This is an interesting thread, as I have a Marlin 1895, and haven't measured it yet. I have a silly question. Wouldn't the OD indicate the chamber size since outside of the brass conforms to the chamber?

Thanks - Randy

Yes the OD would indicate a few thousandths smaller than the chamber size. What with the springback in the brass and all.

But the ID of the fired brass tells you the largest boolit you can load in that chamber with that brass.

If you were to load a .462" boolit in my rifle, it would have enough room in the chamber for the brass to expand and release the boolit.

If I were to go to .463" it's likely that the brass wouldn't be able to expand because the brass would already be in contact with the chamber.

[DukeInFlorida]

Size is only one of the factors in leading. The other three are:
1) Alloy the casting is made from. Perhaps a harder alloy would help. More tin? Or, softer, depending on what you currently make.
2) The lube that you are using. I have not found one lube that suits all applications. Maybe try a different lube, depending on what you're using now.
3) Speed that you are pushing the boolit. It has an amazing effect on 1 and 2 and also the sizing.


I have been using a .459 but am still getting a little leading.I ordered a larger one to see if it makes a difference.