Author Topic: I really, really like my 1895 45/70 (Read 3520 times)

Ranger J · « **on:** June 18, 2007, 04:39:25 AM »

I took my 762/39 Saiga out to the range yesterday to convert it from a red dot site to a scoped one. While the red dot worked fine it was a cheap one and as the range increased the dot got too large, if you know what I mean. The Saiga was capable of shooting much better than the red dot site allowed. I had some problems getting the Saiga scope combination ‘on paper’ so I fired a lot more ammo before I had it where I wanted it. As it was a hot day and I was firing five shot groups the barrel soon got real hot. I laid it down and went for my 1895 Marlin. After I few rounds of two different bullets, 300 GR Remington HP and 300 GR Laser Cast Hard Cast I remembered why I really, really like that gun. As I was working at the fifty-yard range with the Saiga I found that at that range the 300 GR bullet holes actually touched each other and the 300 lead grouped in about a two-inch circle a little above and to the right. The gun was sighted in at 100 yards for the 300 GR HP bullets. The gun loads any bullet that I put in it slick as can be (something I can’t say for my Marlin-jamming 1894 .44 mag) and I think I could shoot what are for me good groups all day. At longer ranges it is just as accurate as my bolt guns in more ‘modern’ calibers, it just takes the bullet a little longer to get there. It is so reliable that dare I say it, the gun can almost be boring, in a good way. I really, really like this gun!
RJ

davem270win · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2007, 10:23:11 AM »

I really, really like my 45-70 Marlin, too. It shoots more different loads into small groups than any sporter bolt I've worked with.

McLernon · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2007, 03:27:10 PM »

I have a 45-70 XLR and shoots MOA. It is easy to reload for or as you have said 'boring' it is so accurate.

Great gun to shoot!!!!!!

Mc

Cheesehead · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:33:19 PM »

I also love my 1895 Marlin 45/70. I took the scope off and replaced with a peep sight to compete in long range cowboy action shoots. Hitting all the steel targets at ranges from 50 to 150 yards, timed fire. Sooooooooooo much fun.

Cheese

wyocarp · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2007, 03:53:53 PM »

I stalked a bear last week that didn't like the accuracy of my Marlin 45-70 chambered to be a 457. Any one shot kill is always a testimonial of the gun and hunter.

bfpgw · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2007, 01:27:45 PM »

It never gets boring shooting my 1895CB. If you get tired of the accuracy slow down and watch the people at the adjacent benches. Even the high-zoot bench rest, mega supershort, magnum type shooters will glance over at the big boom from a long octagon barrel. I've caught a few glancing over at my target with their spotting scope. Gives you a chance to use your poker face until they aren't looking. Tickles the stuffing outta ya.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2007, 02:14:47 PM »

I've developed more loads for my 1895 .45-70 than for any other cartridge - something like 19 different loads.

They range from gently plinker loads with half the recoil of a .30-30 (300g @ 1167fps) to mid-power hardcast to heavy hunting jacketed/bonded loads to what I call my "Rhino Blaster" loads (460g Cast Performance @ 1812fps). Even have a 500g load using Speer African Grand Slam Tungsten Solids.

My girls love the plinker loads and they are really cheap - 13.5g HS-6 in a nearly empty case really goes a long ways, over 500 loads per pound, and I buy the bullets in bulk. Something like $2.50 per box of 20 ready to shoot. OK, they are 50 yard loads, but what fun!

My main hunting load is a 350g North Fork at 2183fps. Not cheap, not exactly easy on the shoulder, but very effective. I practice out to 300 yards with this load (-22").

Ranger J · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2007, 10:48:48 AM »

I dropped two deer opening day with the Marlin. One thing I learned is that the Rem 300 HP with 49 gr Re #7 is too much bullet for small to Med whitetail. The exit wounds were 3 to 4 inches across. Needless to say neither deer went far. I'll probably drop the powder into the trapdoor range and see what I get with that.

RJ

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2007, 11:05:07 AM »

Me too! Here's mine!

six_gunz · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2007, 01:55:28 PM »

I just got my Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 last week and really like it too. I took it out and put some rounds through it with my dad and brothers....it was a blast to shoot. I haven't peeped it yet but plan too real soon. I've been wanting one of these for a long time and finally have one.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2007, 02:18:45 AM »

I used mine in a timed long range steel competition. With a calculated "hold over" I hit targets at 200, 250 and 300 yards every time. Lots of fun and some what surprising.

Cheese

Rangr44 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2007, 03:32:08 AM »

What's not to like ?

S.B. · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2007, 02:18:45 AM »

Quote from: six_gunz on November 29, 2007, 01:55:28 PM

I just got my Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 last week and really like it too. I took it out and put some rounds through it with my dad and brothers....it was a blast to shoot. I haven't peeped it yet but plan too real soon. I've been wanting one of these for a long time and finally have one.

The only other 45/70s I've shot are a friends' contender (pistol) and six_gunz's uncle's older 1895 Marlin, that his cousin now owns. Let me say Steve's is the easiest to shoot of any I've shot. Even his 12 year old nephew (Garrett's probably 75 pounds, soaking wet, although he did have that deer in the headlights look in his eye afterwards) shot it, and didn't complain. What a hoot! I too, really like this gun, am probably going to buy one for myself, soon.

six_gunz · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2007, 05:45:39 AM »

Here's mine, I paid $440 out the door. It was used but only had 20 rounds through it and is like brand new

TNyoteboy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2008, 05:11:23 AM »

Puts em on the ground every time I pull the trigger! 1895SS 300 gr. Remington JHPs 12/27/2007 Hardeman Co, TN

handirifle · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2008, 03:47:44 PM »

Quote from: Ranger J on November 29, 2007, 10:48:48 AM

I dropped two deer opening day with the Marlin. One thing I learned is that the Rem 300 HP with 49 gr Re #7 is too much bullet for small to Med whitetail. The exit wounds were 3 to 4 inches across. Needless to say neither deer went far. I'll probably drop the powder into the trapdoor range and see what I get with that.

RJ

ranger
I've never shot a deer with mine yet, but have read of a lot of us that have. Those that use the 300gr HP seem happier with it around factory velocities, 1800-1900fps. Any more and it seems to explode.

Maybe try some hardcast bullets for a smaller exit.

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2008, 12:24:35 AM »

The Remington 405 grain factory load can't be beat. There's no need for the hot loads that most people use.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2008, 04:07:28 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 06, 2008, 12:24:35 AM

The Remington 405 grain factory load can't be beat. There's no need for the hot loads that most people use.

Your right!......It's just that mine shoots them so well!

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2008, 04:38:31 AM »

I broke the wrist on my old 1895 with hot loads. That's why I don't use them.

Ranger J · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2008, 05:17:35 AM »

I shot a small deer this year using my Handi with a trapdoor load of 2400 and a 300 laser cast bullet. It dropped the deer but as the gun was sighted in at 100 yards the shot went a little high and as I was climbed down from the stand the deer got up and stated to walk off. It took another shot to put the deer down for good. Both shots passed all the way through. Neither showed a sign of any expansion. If I had adjusted for the POA and put the bullets where they needed to be I am sure I would have had a first shot dead deer. I am probably going to load the Rem 300 HP down to this level and try them in both guns next year. Also will sight in both guns for 50 yards which is a more realistic guess as to where My shots will be. I also will shoot the guns at 75 & 100 yards to see how much I will have to adjust for those distances.

handirifle · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2008, 05:35:54 AM »

Good point about the hardcast, I guess like any bullet they need to hit the vitals, but that 45 cal slug most likely prevented him from running off at the shot.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2008, 05:47:32 AM »

In my 1895, I have used a Hornady 350 grain round nose over a max charge of RL-7 for hunting loads. Very accurate and have knocked down a very large buck with this load, at 120 yards.

Cheese

nomosendero · « **Reply #22 on:** January 06, 2008, 07:57:19 AM »

Every 1895 that I have fired has been excellant. I currently own an XLR & I am very happy with it.

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2008, 09:47:17 AM »

Don't waste time and deer with lung/heart shots. Break both front shoulders. That's what they are there for;D

teddy12b · « **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2008, 10:08:54 AM »

I bought a 1895 22" and have had it for about 2 weeks now without getting a chance to fire it yet. This kind of thread is encouraging though. I have some factory Rem 405gr, and Hornady Leverelution. Those will be the benchmark on what I compare my handloads to. I have some 460gr cast performance, and 405 gr remingtons to load up when the rest of the parts get here. I'm still trying to figure out where to start with the H4198. Hope I have as good of luck as you all did!

Cheesehead · « **Reply #25 on:** January 06, 2008, 01:41:38 PM »

I have had good accuracy results with Oregon Trail Laser Cast 350 grain charged with either IMR4064 or Accurate 2230.

Cheese

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #26 on:** January 07, 2008, 08:56:35 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on January 06, 2008, 10:08:54 AM

I bought a 1895 22" and have had it for about 2 weeks now without getting a chance to fire it yet. This kind of thread is encouraging though. I have some factory Rem 405gr, and Hornady Leverelution. Those will be the benchmark on what I compare my handloads to. I have some 460gr cast performance, and 405 gr remingtons to load up when the rest of the parts get here. I'm still trying to figure out where to start with the H4198. Hope I have as good of luck as you all did!

Marlin 1895 45-70 22" barrel
405 grain Remington JSP seated to 2.55" cartridge overall length and crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp Die
Winchester brass, 2.1" trim
CCI 200 primer
31 grains H4198 REDUCED
45 grains H4198 START 1800 fps
50 grains H4198 MAXIMUM 1950 fps

Marlin 1895 45-70 22" barrel
460 grain Cast Performance WFNGC seated to 2.525" COL and crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp Die
Winchester brass, 2.1" trim
CCI 200 primer
42 grains AA2230 START 1600 fps
47.5 grains AA2230 MAXIMUM 1730 fps
Sorry, I don't load the 460 CP with H4198. However, Coyote Hunter has a spreadsheet with numerous 45-70 loads which includes a 460 CP load with H4198.

Swampman · « **Reply #27 on:** January 07, 2008, 11:40:59 AM »

I'm glad people shoot those hot loads in their 1895s though. It means I can get great deals on guns that have less than a box of shells through them for a very reasonable price off the used gun rack.

McLernon · « **Reply #28 on:** January 09, 2008, 04:29:01 PM »

I just ordered an 1895 Classic in 45-70. I hope it's a good one with none of the troubles I have been reading about. I plan to put a ghost ring on it. Anyone have experience with this?

Mc

Ranger J · « **Reply #29 on:** January 09, 2008, 04:42:44 PM »

I have heard of very few people having troubles with 1895s. Now the 1894s is another question.

RJ