Marlin 1895 Max Meplat ?

[Johnch]

I have a about 2000 Marlin 1895 rifle

I am going to cut a new mold for my BFR revolver in 45/70 for testing
It would be a 350 gr GC RF with a Meplat of 90%
This would be a hunting bullet for Whitetail deer at 100 yards or less

As I also deer hunt with my Marlin rifle in 45/70
I was wondering would I be able to get this cast bullet to feed in the Marlin ?

If that Meplat is to large
What would be the Max Meplat I could get to feed 100% ?

Thanks
John

[GregLaROCHE]

I can’t answer your question for sure, but PCing makes chambering easier.

[Winger Ed.]

I'd never discourage anyone from getting off into uncharted waters, or even trying to re-invent the wheel,
but I have to ask what advantage you're after that designs about a hundred years old won't do?

Especially with a cartridge that has so much 'horsepower' already, and for shooting at so short a range.

[fenderman57]

Tom, at Accurate molds, told me this was the largest or most aggressive nose profile that would feed reliably in a Marlin https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet...bullet=46-405V. That profile is available from 350 to 540 gr.

[Johnch]

Tom, at Accurate molds, told me this was the largest or most aggressive nose profile that would feed reliably in a Marlin https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet...bullet=46-405V. That profile is available from 350 to 540 gr.

Thanks
I have a NOE 400 gr GC mold that is about the same design
So I guess I will keep using it for the Marlin rifle

John

[Johnch]

I'd never discourage anyone from getting off into uncharted waters, or even trying to re-invent the wheel,
but I have to ask what advantage you're after that designs about a hundred years old won't do?

Especially with a cartridge that has so much 'horsepower' already, and for shooting at so short a range.

Out of the BFR I want the Max Meplat to transfer energy
As I don't get the velocity I get with the rifle
I want as quick and clean a kill as possible

John

[Bigslug]

Tom, at Accurate molds, told me this was the largest or most aggressive nose profile that would feed reliably in a Marlin https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet...bullet=46-405V. That profile is available from 350 to 540 gr.

I would tend to take Tom's word for it. That said, my adventures in messing around with the 452423 in 1911 pistols have taught me that just because a gun CAN feed something, doesn't mean it's what the gun wants to feed. I tend to relate hunting rifles to combat rifles in that their most important attribute should be that they function without fiddling, and it's worth giving up some "extremes" to get that. A 75% meplat of .34" is pretty well established for WFN status on a .45 caliber rifle bullet. At 1600fps+, these have been bar none my favorite milk jug busters as the effect is at a level beyond anything else I've seen - - more like an explosive charge detonated inside the bottle causing a truly radial burst than from the linear outside source it actually is.

If I wanted something that performed beyond that, I'd probably keep the .34" nose for reliable feeding, but add a cup point, and maybe a gas check if softer alloys are your thing. The NOE 460-396 RF comes to mind.

[Sam Sackett]

It's my understanding that a full wadcutter will ??) become unstable after about 50 yards and start tumbling. Do you think the 90% meplat bullet would react the same? There's something to be said about having a reduced nose and a heavy tail........... something to do with stability.....

Just my nickle..
Sam Sackett

[Winger Ed.]

Out of the BFR I want the Max Meplat to transfer energy
As I don't get the velocity I get with the rifle
I want as quick and clean a kill as possible John

That's good logic and all, but you might be getting to the point of it's the wrong gun for what you want it to do.
Going slow, you might also consider a boolit that has more penetration like a RN.

[flint45]

I have a marlin 1895 4570 and it will feed up to 80% meplat if I cycle it quickly the slower I go the more it will catch I also have a 70% that feeds almost no problem at all but I do like the big fat meplat.

[Harter66]

The MP 462-420 and 45-500 FN feed fine in a 2010 1895 .

I've wondered about the FA 45-70 BFR off and on might be best to treat it like a 45 Colts on steroids and feed it fast pistol powder .

A relatable reversal story.
A 45 Colts 16" carbine with a 350 gr bullet and 19 gr of digital generated data H322 will give 1240 fps actual MV under 20 kpsi according to the generated data . When fired in a 7.5 RBH they topped out at 610 fps . I would think that with 10-16 gr of Unique getting a 405 class bullet to 1400ish in an 18" 1895G you ought to be able to get 1000 fps in the BFR 8" . It's not hauling burros but it's a almost 2ftlb per gr inside 100 yd .