HELP...with marlin 45-70 gov. 1895...load .......old gun....

[opatriot]

Gday friends.....can you please give me some advice..?? ..i have an.. origanal.. marlin 45-70 gov....1895..its in good condition ....my lyman book says the starting load for this gun  with remington 405.gr. .fnsp.....is 50 grains powder..if im using varget ...........is that correct..??...its an old gun and i want to be sure ...not to blow it up .........it came with some old kleanbore 405gr.factory ammo from the fifties that seemed to shoot fine in it .....your recomendations would be appretiated................thanx .....davey

[EsoxLucius]

A 45-70 load of 50 grains of Varget under a 405 grain Remington seated to 2.55" and crimped over the step is a load suitable for Springfield Trapdoor rifles and completely safe in a post-1972 vintage Marlin 1895 in good condition.

[opatriot]

From what ive heard , the old lever action marlins in the late 1800's where stronger than the springfield trap doors in 45-70...........is that correct..?? .......my marlin has the octagon barelll and the origanal brown type finish............does anybody recomend diferant loads..??...............thanx...davey

[John Traveler]

The original Marlin model 1895 rifles were introduced at a time when smokeless powder loads and barrel steels were in their infancy. 

Widespread shooter acceptance of smokeless powder , manufacturing methods, and was not guaranteed, and the major manufacturers were still clinging to blackpowder level pressures, manufacturing methods, and mild barrel steels.  Remember, this was a short 9 years after the introduction of the world's first smokeless powder small caliber cartridge, the French M1886 8mm Lebel. 

Yes, the Marlin is stronger than the 1873 "Trapdoor" Springfield design, but I would be very cautious in shooting anything but trapdoor springfield level loads in your classic.  The barrel steel is relatively mild, and jacketed bullets will rapidly wear out the chamber throat.  Heavy loads may not hurt it initiallly, but prolonged used will almost certainly result in loosening of the action, increased headspace, and other problems.  I would stay with factory level M1873 Springfield loads and lead bullets.

HTH
John

[EsoxLucius]

Oh, I see you were indeed talking about an "original" Marlin 1895, not a "modern" Marlin 1895.  I agree with John, keep it to Springfield Trapdoor levels (19,000-22,000 PSI) or at most keep it under 28,000 PSI.

[opatriot]

Thanx for info and explanation it helps alot.....really want to preserve the integrity of this rifle ..and work up some safe loads ...guess ill start pulling bullets ....i laoded about ten shells at 50gr. varget before i wrote a post ..........thanx a bunch ....davey

[stimpylu32]

If you want some lite recoil / lite pressure loads check these .

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Cowboy%20Load&gtypeid=5&weight=405&shellid=1009&bulletid=449

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Cowboy%20Load&gtypeid=5&weight=300&shellid=1009&bulletid=7

I just love the Unique 405 loads for plunking ,the recoil is about that of a 410

[EsoxLucius]

opatriot, You misunderstood.  50 grains of VARGET under a 405 grain bullet in the 45-70 is a safe load in the Springfield Trapdoor and would be safe in your original Marlin 1895.  However, if you feel better about it your could start at 45 grains.

[opatriot]

Thankyou all ...your input has been very helpfull.......didnt know i could load with unique..and red dot ...i have six pounds of that in the cabnet ..that would be nice to use up ..i think i read in a post somewhere that they use some kind of filler after the powder ..?? ...what a fun gun to shoot ...405. gr. slug realy slaps the backstop   ..........happy thursday.......davey

[John Traveler]

Unique and Red Dot can indeed be used for reduced recoil lead bullet loads.  However, the relatively small charges leave a LOT of empty space in the case.

The National Rifle Association technical editors formerly recommended the use of kapok (dacron fluff fibre) as a space filler over small powder charges.  They no longer advise that due to the greatly increased interest in reloading and shooting these classic calibers such as the .45-70 and the problem of chamber "ringing".  It appears that the dacron fibre melts and can form chamber/throat obstructions lead to buldging of the chamber.

I've not found case fillers to be necessary when using either Unique or other relatively fast burning powder.  Standard of magnum large rifle primers provide plenty of flame for combustion.

Again, I advise using standard velocity/pressure loads only in your original Marlin 1895.  Keep that classic in good condition!

Refer to the Lyman Cast Bullet Reloading Manual for details.

HTH
John

[opatriot]

Thanx john and esox ...your input gives me some reassurance im not going to blow this rifle up...if i figure out how to post a pic. ..I will  write a post with results and some pics.included ...thax a bunch ......davey