Big Bore and Medium Bore Lever Day!!

[pre6422hornet]

Well I finally found some time to get away and hit the range with my new to me in May 1895SS in 45/70 and the Model 71 in 348.





The Marlin is set up with a Skinner rear peep on loan from a member over on Marlin Owners. I ran 52, 53, 54, and 55 grains of IMR 3031 with a Hornady 300 gr pill. The 52, 53 and 54 were nice, but not like 55.

It took 5 or 6 shots to get used to the Marlins 10 pound trigger pull ( willl have to fix that), but she sure likes it hot.

Here is the first 5 shot string at 55 grains. I don't let the barrel cool inbetween shots and actually as fast as I can run the lever and get back down on the bags to squeeze one off. Yes that is 5 shots in 4 hole



Here is the second string at 55



Once I get the trigger work done and get a new front sight I will be out and doing it again. The front sight is so big, it basically blots out the entire 8x11 piece of paper I shoot at.

The 348 I took out for fun basically. I wanted some once fired cases so I just loaded up some creampuff loads of 52 grains of IMR 4350 under a 200gr Hornady flat point. My normal hunting load is 60.5 grains of IMR 4350.

Here is a fast 8 shot string as fast as I could load em.



Tihs gun does not like the bullet this slow. At 60.5 it stacks em right on top of one another.

Man it was nice to get out and get some trigger time.

 

[DrMike]

They are each MOD (minute of deer). Yeah, I do appreciate the lever guns. They are simply fun to shoot and a joy to carry afield.

 

[FOTIS]

Good shooting! Always wanted a 348.

 

[velvetant]

What range is that?
nice shooting

 

[SJB358]

Very nice Pat. That's a great day! Put a peep on that 45-70 and hunt it buddy. That thing looks like another awesome shooter! I would be with a decent front sight, you'd have it zeroed the next time out and ready to rock another Missouri buck!

That 348 is just awesome. Can't say enough good about it.

 

[pre6422hornet]

What range is that?
nice shooting

Thanks everyone!

That is at 50 yards. 100 yards would not be an option with the front sight being so darn big.

 

[bobnob]

The most accurate hunting load in my 1895 GBL 45-70 is 54g of H4198 under the Sierra 300g HP. 5 shots touching at 75y with a stock trigger. Doing about 2175fps out of the short barrel.

I have found the 325g FTX near as good with 50g of that powder, but have to seat them deep and firmly Lee FCD them to get them to cycle. Doing about 2000fps.

Both great pig loads!

 

[Wincheringen]

I highly recommend the Wild West Guns trigger for your Marlin, and while you are in there, you might as well put in their extractor too. Midway has them on sale often.