1895 Cowboy

[jjamna]

I am wanting to do some long range shooting at my local Cowboy Action matches. Been looking at a Marlin 1895 Cowboy in 45-70. Will they shoot with the single shots at 500 yds? That is what most guys are shooting- Sharps Replicas

[teddy12b]

Interesting idea.  I wish I could help, have you read anything about them anywhere else?

[Lloyd Smale]

it no doubt has potential too if all the stars are aligned but if your talking REAL sharps rifles that are a major step above the copys and then comparing the extream measures some of the guys shooting these sharps go through to get there best accuracy, your on an uphill battle. Some of the problems you will incounter is that alot of the bullets (postels ect) that they use arent going to run in your levergun. Another thing to keep in mind that in the big case of the 4570 its hard to beat real black powder to get the best accuracy out of a gun and cleaning is a major chore in a marlin. It probably could be done in the marlin though if you put enough time on the bench. I guess in my opinion most of the cowboy matches ive observed dont require that extreem of a level of accuracy to begin with. If your talking organized long range shoots thats another matter. A marlin loaded properly definately has the capability of shooting near one inch groups at a 100 yards and that should take care of any cowboy action shooting.

[Cheesehead]

I have done this once, steel targets out to 300 yards with my 1895. Steel targets are large. Shooting paper targets, that's another story. The 1895 did not do well against the single shots, they have a much longer sight radius and very precise iron sights.

Cheese

[jjamna]

Cheese The 1895 Cowboy has a 26 inch barrel on it. Not much shorter than the Average Sharps or Highwall so that should help. Anyway Santa Claus came early and brought me one so I will let y'all know how it shoots. Funny though, Hornady Leverlution was $10 a box cheaper than 2 other brands so I got a box of them. Will be ordering some brass and a Mold when I figure out which mold I need. Wander how a hollow base bullet would shoot with the Ballard rifeling?

[Cheesehead]

The single shots, with their tangs sights had a 36 inch sight radius, which gave them an advantage, but I gave them a run for their money.

Cheese

[deernhog]

A good marbles or lyman tang sight with a target front sight to match on the cowboy will even the odds against the single shots in the cowboy matches. But the single shot boys have it down to a art in the long range competitions and are shooting the singleshots for a reason. They have worked out every wrinkle they can and have found them to be more consistent. With my cowboy with a Wilson receiver sight and a custom front sight I shot groups at 200 yrds but that is the max it has been shot so I can't comment on my experience at 500 yrds just my opinion.

[blue roan]

I have 2 of the 1895 Cowboys and an 1895 Limited ?, the 26 inch octagon barrel  pistol grip model.  You COULD shoot it long distance, but it will cost you a lot of yankee dollars.  First item is tuning the trigger, etc.   Then about $4-to-500 for a Montana Vintage Arms tang with adjustments and features to get the utmost accuracy out of your gun (what I have on my SHILOH SHARPS!) and an appropriate front sight.  Then a good  mould and components  and a lot of range and reloading bench time.

They allow lever actions at the Quigley rifle shoot in Montana on Fathers Day Weekend, if they are singly loaded.  You would be doing that with your match level ammo anyhow...the trip through the magazine would not be good for accuracy!  The limited rules at Quigley do not allow gas check bullets nor do the NRA sanctioned Black Powder Cartridge Rifle events.   That d--- buffalo target at 800 yards is n't very big through a tang site on a Sharps...and the 40 mile per hour cross wind kicked a lot of shooters' butts worse than their rifles in 2007.    I'd investigate one of the LYMAN 45 caliber moulds at 400 grains+--possibly into the 500 grain range.  And with black powder, you're going to know when this gun goes boom.  (I've just about talked myself into loading black powder in one off my Cowboys as I've typed) 

I shoot a 13 pound+ 50/90 (BIG 50!!) Shiloh Sharps with over $800 in the sights alone.  You can spend some big money in getting set up and find you just can't compete with the guy shooting a Sharps.  I think you can, but it will be an uphill battle all the way and suck your wallet dry...if you get carried away.  Go over to shilohrifle.com/forums and do some listening about long range and reloading; it will give you headaches at first.  These guys bring new meaning to "being anal about loading!"

 I compete against myself at Quigley and go mostly for the people and a chance to shoot at 800 yards--in some of the prettiest country God made!  That is what shooting is about for me.  Go out and have some fun with like minded people you like. 

Ed  aka Blue Roan   aka EDK on other sites

[Cheesehead]

One more consideration is barrel mass. The relatively thin barrel of most lever rifles gets hotter after extended shooting sessions. One more advantage for the big single shots.

Cheese

[jjamna]

First of all Merry Christmas To All and Thanks for some great information. I think I will be looking into a Sharps in the future , that or a High-wall. But for now I will be shooting the Cowboy. Everyone made some very good points and did it without sarcasm. For that I am MOST GRATEFUL. I think I will put a tang site on it and see what happens. Will be shooting a 405 grain cast Bullet tried 12 grains of trail boss today but it was an awful lite load. Gonna have to play with it. Again Merry Christmas to all.
Jeff McBride

[ndenway]

Cheese The 1895 Cowboy has a 26 inch barrel on it.  Wander how a hollow base bullet would shoot with the Ballard rifeling?

I've used the lee 405 HB as cast .460 (9lbs WW with 1/2lb 50/50solder added)  in my 1895CB, it was accurate at 1200fps, if I pushed it much more it leaded like mad, but that can be corrected with a better lube,

I switched over to a ranchdog designed 425gr TLFPGC bullet that was designed especially for the marlin 1895, lee manufactures the mould and sizers for him, for one mould, bullet sizer kit and S&H was around $45.

I'm shooting it at 1600fps with no leading and it is accurate.

[jjamna]

Well I've got the 405 grain Hb shooting pretty good at 100yds. Banging my 200yd metal 2 ft circle every time with the right holdover. Now I am looking at sights. Found a Pedersoly tang sightthat I think will mount on it. It has a Minimum of 1 19/32 and a Max of 3 3/4 inch. Anyone know about how far this will get me. Right now I have a Williams reciever sight on it. Raised all the way up it is about right at 100 yds. Best I can tell that would be about 2 1/4 inches above the tang leaving an 1 1/2 height adjustment. I don't think that will be enough? They have another one with 2" min and 4 3/8 max. THIS LOOKS MORE LIKE IT. Anyone know how far you can shoot if ya raised a tang site up 4 1/4 inches with a 45-70 405 gr at about 1200 fps

[deernhog]

Did they give you a front sight option for the tang sights. Lowering the front sight effects the range also and gave me the room to back my Williams receiver to 2/3 of the ramp. I am using the 405 lee hb mold and it is suppose to cast at .459 but throws the bulletts at .460 to .461. .  With the lube (black moly and beeswax) I'm using it is leading bad at 1459 fps over H4198.  The bullets are cast from 10 ww to 1 linotype and maybe too hard also. May have to stick to straight ww that my .45 colt likes.

[jjamna]

Yes there is 6 or 7 options on the front sights. I decided against the tang. Ordered a ladder instead. When I get it on then I will shoot and see if the front needs to go lower or higher then order the one I need. So many people said the Tang sight gets in the way on a lever gun is why I changed my mind. Hope I don't regret it.