Brand new Marlin 1895 .45-70 On Order, some questions

[MarkA]

Just dumped the NEF in .45-70, that thing NEVER put three shots in the same place, NEVER!  Needed (Wanted) at thumper for pigs and deer.  Ordered the Marlin 1895 w/ 22" barrel in .45-70.  Couple of questions:

1. Accuracy, shoulda looked fore I leaped but,  are they accurate, how accurate.
2. Favorite loads.
3. Trigger and/or trigger job required.

Thanks for your help!

[hicard]

You will not be sorry on your choice.  My 1895 GS is very accurate, almost as good as good bolt actions.  I shoot a variety of loads.  As you know, you can hunt mice to Kodiak bear with this gun.  I enjoy shooting a moderate load most of the time, something like 405 gr lead with 30 grs of IMR 4227 or 26 grs of SR 4759.  I also load a 350 jsp with IMR 4198 for around 1800 fps for a serious load.  The first time I went pig hunting with it, I was using a 490 gr cast lead bullet at 1550 fps and killed two pigs with one shot.  This GS is my favorite gun.

[sprest22]

My guide gun was very accurate out of the box.It would shoot 2" groups at 100 yds with a receiver sight regularly.I used H4895 and the 405 gr Rem JSP ,55 grs of powder which is the max load in the Hodgdon manual for the 400 gr speer,so start low and work up.I got very good accuracy from this combo.The trigger may or may not need to be lightened,you'll have to see how it is when you get it,some are better than others.Hope this helps.

[mr.frosty]

I agree with the others on here you wont be sorry I definitely love mine.
I used it this past hunting season more than any other gun I have!
One thing I am doing is installing a set of XS sights or ghost rings
on mine just because I want to.

[Wild Bill 442]

I always keep 'em well under 2", even with a Bushnell Holosight mounted on my guide gun.  This combination is the fastest thing on target I've ever shouldered, but its a little tricky to get consistent sight pictures shooting groups at paper.

[jpstrait]

one ragged hole at 50 yards with mine. Favorite load is 12 grains of Unique with pistol primers and 405 grain cast lead bullet, velocity around 1100 fps. Can shoot them all day. Check out Paul Mathews book "40 years with the 45-70", good info in this book and also has a chapter dedicated to the Marlin 1895.

[tbmaker]

My 1895 loves Winchester Supreme and PMC equally, 1 1/2 groups all day long.

[TennesseeNuc]

Mark,
I think you will find that you made a good choice.  I have gone through several Marlin 45-70's and every one was accurate.  I have a GG, now, that will shoot with a lot of bolt actions.  Several friends have 1895's and they all have experienced the same accuracy with theirs.
My best load combinations have been Rem. 405g bullets and either Re-7 or IMR-3031.  Both of the powders performed well, but I settled on Re-7 because that's what I had the most of.
Mine needs a trigger job, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.  Although I haven't tried one, I hear Wild West Guns has an excellent replacement trigger...just can't make myself cough up $90 bucks for one. :shock:
Hope you enjoy your new toy.
Best,
TnNuc

[Leadlum]

I think I got the same gun you ordered; a 22in barrel and pistol grip, blued model; with ballard rifling. It`s real accurate! I bought mine to see what some hommade cast bullets would do. I wasn`t expecting to much; but I got phenomonal results. The guys are right, it shoots with the bolt guns. I would reccomend starting of with low to med loads. I`ve found out that is all you really need. I`m using 4198 powder and xmp5744. 1200fps-1400fps is what I like. I wouldn`t even mind going down to 1000fps for target shooting,with another powder. I cast a 325gr round flat nose for mine. I have just a lyman receiver sight on and it is good out to 100yds easy. The trigger?..well it could be a little better, wild west has the happy trigger for it I believe?
33grs of 4198 w/poly wad gave me ave 1425fps,with good accuracy.
Good luck with it. Ray

[MarkA]

Y'all are gettin me really pumped to get this BABY in here!  Thanks for the advice, Trigger question.  Can ya do a bubba gun trigger job?  I have gotten fairly decent with them and am over my fear of trying factor, if there is way to do it with instuctions I'll giver 'er a try or is Wild West it?

Is the Wild West trigger that good?

[Leadlum]

I personally don`t find the trigger to hard to pull. I just wish it went further back when the hammer is cocked.Though it is further back than the new winchesters. It is a little floppy when the hammer is back also. To lighten the trigger you may need another spring. I live with my trigger just fine the way it is. I just would like more room for winter gloves.

[MarkA]

The 1895 got here 10 days early! Yehaw!  Gettin' her scoped overnight and then straight to the range.  Lookin' forward to make an range report shortly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Asa Lenon]

I too have the 1895SS 22" barrel and has been stated above, they are extremely accurate like a bolt action rifle.  Regardless of the cartridge or bullet weight i've tried, they were all very accurate.  Since i owned this gun the rest sit in the cabinet.

[victorcharlie]

I've been well pleased with my 1895......mine shoots the PMC 350 gn HA or +P+ the best......This load also thumps the hardest......I have a limbsaver recoil pad fitted on my rifle and have no regrets......Makes a would of difference on felt recoil........

[Coyote Hunter]

MarkA –

You can definitely do a trigger job yourself, and the WWG is a good drop-in if you don’t want to.  The WWG trigger also eliminates trigger flop if that is a bother to you.  Two of my Marlins have homespun trigger jobs and one sports a WWG trigger.  All are vastly improved.

Go her for disassembly instructions (and ignore that it say “1894” instead of “1895”:
http://marauder13.homestead.com/files/Marlin94.html

If you want a jumpstart in collecting load data and results, drop me an email and I’ll send you my spreadsheets – over 250 factory loads for the .45-70, plus all the loads (18 or 19) I have worked up in mine (22” barrel), plus chrono and target results.  The factory load listing is MAX loads only but references the original source so you can get the starting loads and work up.

Have fun with your new toy!

[JC]

I agree with all the above guys on the 1895. I have a guide gun that shoots a 405 Remington over 48 grains of REL 7. It is safe in MY GUN. Low recoil and  quite effecient on the business end. I took my 1.5 x6 off of it and installed the  Ashley Express sights the wife bought me. It is a shooter. If I miss it isn't the gun. I live between two big game managment areas in Eastern TN and the GW's hate hogs about as much as I love bacon..... happy shootin :sniper: