Another good day out with the 45-70 Marlin.

[bobnob]

So I had a couple of new bullets to try with the Marlin 1895 GBL. First was the Speer 400g FP and the second and most interesting was a new 300g HP made locally in a backyard operation here in Aus. These bullets looked to be really well made and uniform in every respect.

So I arbitrarily picked out some loads. The 400g Speer with loads of 47.5 and 48.5g of H4198 and the 300 grainers with 53 and 55g of the same powder.

At my 125y the 400g / 47.5g load averaged 1829fps for three shots and printed them at 0.99 inch; about 0.8moa and that with a 20kph wind!

I didn't shoot the higher charge as this was already all the speed I was wanting.

The 300g loads were shot in a hurry as it had started to rain. I knew I rushed them but the groups for the 53 and 55g loads printed 1.45 and 1.9 inches respectively, at 2050 and 2129fps.

400g load on the left, 300s on the right.

]

Very pleased. Even the loads I rushed averaged 1.34 moa which for a short barreled lever gun is all I'll ever need I reckon. And very pleasing for very cheap, home made jacketed hunting bullets. Gonna stock up on more!

As for the 400g Speer, 0.8moa in a good wind is just exceptional, especially with a heavy kicker.

I will soon do some wet newspaper / penetration tests to see now these bullets benchmark against a few others I have on hand.

Regards,
Bob

 

[DrMike]

Gratifying loads, to be sure. The 45-70 has often proved itself to be surprisingly accurate.

 

[bobnob]

Mike I can't believe the accuracy these Marlins deliver. This is a 2009 built JM GBL that has had absolutely nil tuning since I bought it new.

Initially I did my load development at 75y because I totally underestimated the rifle. To my surprise at that range I consistently had five shot groups with all holes touching!

The gun seems to shoot just about any combo of components well also.

Hmm maybe I need a 30-30 version.... For the kids of course.

 

[tecumseh]

You're set to go, good shooting!

 

[DrMike]

I've consistently been astonished and gratified by the accuracy delivered by a bevy of Model 94s chambered in a variety of cartridges that have passed through my hands during the past several decades. MOA (and better) has proven to be the standard.