New 1895 range report, and a queston...

[aussie rich]

Hi guys

I just got a new Marlin 1895 45-70 standard blue steel 22 inch barrel last week and took it out for a work out last Sunday. It was meant to be a H and R BC in the same caliber, (some of you may have seen me lurking on the H and R forum) but lets not go there, suffice to say there was some problems and as a result H and R product will unlikely ever get sold down here for a very long time... if ever again, and wanting to fulfill my 45-70 desires the only thing available was the 1895. Not that I think its a bad rifle, on the contrary it is the first Marlin I have ever owned and I am very impressed with the fit and finish, and the action is smoother and tighter than a lot of bolt actions I have owned, its just quite a bit more expensive.... So enough of the whine and on with the results

The rifle bore slugged out to a nice 0.458

The trigger is a dream, I can't measure the weight, but very light and crisp, happy with it as it is.

Starline brass, full length resized and trimmed with a Lee trimming tool.

Federal standard large rifle primers.

Hawkesbury River (local company) 405 grain 'Copperhawk' cast lead moly coated, measured at 0.459, seated to the crimp, 2.520 OAL
FYI the company rates the 'Copper Hawk' with its special moly coating up to 2200 fps!

Trail Boss 12.0, 12.5 and 13.0 grains (between 970fps and 1010 fps)

AR2207 27.0, 28.0, 29.0 and 30.0 grains. (between 1250 fps and 1400 fps)

Unfortunately I don't have a chronograph, so have to work off the published data in the ADI manual

All loads taken from the ADI loading manual Single Action section.

All shooting done off the bench.

With a Limbsaver recoil pad fitted the Trail Boss loads were a delight to shoot, I could have shot them all day, and I am only 5 ft 6 and 70kg.

I was having a problem with the standard sights, strangely the lowest I could adjust the sights was 12 inches high at 25 meters!! Still aiming at a point in the dirt below the target the TB loads were cutting a ragged hole at 25m, happy with that.

The 2207 loads were a bit stouter in recoil, but very manageable, but still the issue with the sights, at 100 yards with the 30 grain loads, which I am thinking are the same velocity as factory 405, it was still about 9 inches high at 100 m, so I'm not sure what ammo the factory sights are calibrated for?

Still even with aiming off the target to get rounds on paper I managed to achieve a 4 inch group at 100m with the 28 grain/2207 load.

So happy with that too all things considered.

All in all not a bad first outing, the rifle performed well, no FTF or ejection problems, accuracy is good, and can only get better.

A set of peep sights are the next thing to get!

Just wondering, has anyone else had that problem with the standard sights on a Marlin, not meaning to whine, but for the cost of the thing, I would expect a bit more than what is basically a set off uncalibrated, throw away sights.

Regards

Rich

[Ranger J]

I can't say about the iron sights as with my old eyes I went right to a scope.  I do know that with a low end load of Varget and some Remington 300gr HPs it will tear a single hole consistently at 50 yards and if I were steadier would probably do the same at 100.  I don't shoot cast in it as I save that for my Handi rifle in the same caliber.  In that gun I am a great fan of th Trail Boss under 300 gr OT hard Cast.  I have shot Whitetail with both and even though I use only trapdoor loads I almost feel the load I use in the Marlin sort of 'overguns' these deer.  I originally loaded the same bullet in a Marlin level load but found it made too large a hole and ruined too much meat.  I use a shooter's friend slip on pad with mine and find it works well.  Probably the most accurate rifle I own including several bolts.

RJ

[Rangr44]

You would be best advised, by settling on a load, then installing/zeroing the sights for that load - especially if handloads are used.

If you install a receiver peep sight, AND it's a top-mount (uses top scope mount holes), you WILL need a much higher than issue front sight blade anyway.  Especially the XS, Williams WGRS, & the Skinner, as they carry a very high line-of-sights. It's a good excuse to change the front sight blade to a type that may be more to your preference, beit a Gold bead, Ivory bead, Fibre-Optic, whatever.

If you install a side-mount receiver peep, or a top-mount - BUT one which carries the horizontal aperture support bar BEHIND the base ILO atop it (a Williams FP or 5D), then you may only need a slightly taller front sight blade (or none, depending upon the final handload).

Whatever, you can measure your rifle for what should be the approximately correct front sight height by:
1) Placing the rear sight (peep or bbl) in the middle of it's elevation adjustment range.
2) Measure the distance from the bore C/L (firing pin) to either the peep C/L or sight notch bottom.
3) Measure the distance from the bore C/L @ muzzle to the bottom of the front sight female dovetail cut.
4) Measurement #2, minus measurement #3, equals the height of front sight blade needed.

(BTW, a bore C/L is easily found by halving the bbl OD)

.

[aussie rich]

Hey Rangr44

Thanks for the info. I'm nor sure which brand of peep I will put on the rifle as yet, but doing a proper measure up is a very good idea, thanks.


Rich

[Capt. Augustus]

I'm in the process of sighting in my new 1895 and could have used your sights.  Mine were on at 25 yards and were okay out to 100 yards, I forget the notch I had them set on, but at 25 they were on the low notch.  I was looking for being 16 inches high at 100 yards for a 200 yards sighting, but could only get 12 inches using the factory sight.  I have put a Lyman tang sight and will be trying it today.  My load was 13 grains of Unique with a Lee 405-HB.

Perhaps they put the wrong sight on your rifle, the Model 39 is similar, but the blade was higher from what I remember.  If you can get your hands on one, try one of those laser sighting gizmoes they use for sighting scopes.  They work for metal sights to get you on paper and pay for themselves in saved ammo.  I use mine to get ready for the range.

[Happy]

When I bought my guide the first year they were produced the front site was the wrong one . Had to install a medium size site if I remember correctly. Think that put your rear at about mid range .
Marlin knew , and replaced the few on the one's returned , but at that time this was the cheaper solution as most people changed the sites or scoped the guns after they were bought , so they never knew
So like wise , should you install a peep site you would  also require a different hight front site.
Best was to determine the correct hight is to inquire to the company where your getting the peep as they know.
Happy Shootin'
Happy

[Capt. Augustus]

Returned to the range today with my 1895.  Doubled checked the position of the rear sight for 100 yards, it is in the 2nd notch from the bottom.  I then sighted it in with the Lyman sight for 200 yards.  It went very well, I'm as ready as I can be for the big shoot this weekend.

I am shooting the Lee 405-HB lubed with Rooster liquid lube over 13 grains of Unique.

[JeffG]

XS Lever Rail, and peep sights are top notch!!

http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html

You should be cutting cloverleafs at 50 and 1.5 to 2 inch at 100yds.  Maybe if you experimented with seating depth and crimp...

[aussie rich]

Thanks for the info guys

Just for the short term i have put on an old scope I had lying around just to see how my hand loads are going, I am going to the range today so hopefully a range report soon.

Regards

Rich