Interested in all loads with 350 gr bullets and 405 bullets. Accuracy/velocity? Can you get the 350 to do 2000 fps safely from the 1895? Just wondering because the Accurte Arms manual is the only one that lists a load that does this. Thanx

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"Hope for the best.....Expect the worst!"

I am going to add to your question, in hopes to bring out more info. I hope you don't mind.

Every one says the 45/70 Marlin Guide Gun, model 1895, can be loaded to equal the new big boy the 450 Marlin.

All load data is at least a couple hundred feet slower in the 45/70.

So my question is the 45/70 strong enough to be loaded to 450 performances?
Or should we go buy a new rifle?
I know the brass was designed to handle more pressure. Just like the 454 casull. But handloader say it is just a gasket..

So what is the real deal here...

Scout...

[This message has been edited by scout (edited 04-12-2002).]

I used Federal cases, CCI 200 primer, 51gr IMR3031, 400gr Speer = about 1750fps out of 1895.

POP. I LOAD 56 GRAINS OF IMR 3031 WITH THE HORNADY 350GR. ROUND NOSE. REGULAR LARGE RIFLE PRIMERS. THIS LOAD HAS GIVEN EXCELLENT ACCURACY IN A RUGER No.1,A MARLIN 1895, AND A MARLIN GUIDE GUN. THESE BULLETS FEED THROUGH A MARLIN VERY SMOOTH. THIS IS A GOOD BULLET, IT HOLDS TOGETHER WELL, AND EXPANDS AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH VELOCITY.

Pop,
I just got rid of a 450 Marlin because it could not improve on my 45/70 Marlin 1895SS. The old Marlin is a blast from the past with its 22" unported barrel.

My best load is 53.0 grains of IMR 3031 with the 400 grain Speer, WW brass, CCI 200 primer. This gave about 1800 fps and a 1.125" best 3-shot group at 100 yards with the trusty old Marlin. This was Elmer Keith's favorite 45/70 load. It is a good one.

In my young and foolish days I did get daring and tried Reloder 7 at 52.0 grains, with the 400 grain Speer, WW brass and CCI 200 primer. I fired a few of these and found velocities clustering around 2000 fps. Accuracy was lousy, the screws in the gun worked loose, and it was just plain unpleasant to shoot in the 1895SS. It might be a good load in a Ruger No.1 or ye olde Siamese Mauser.

I have not found the need to look for anything better than Elmer's load, hence I cannot help with the 350 grain loads. But I think a 2000 fps load with 350 grain bullets in the 22" 45/70 sounds about right.

Elmer's 45/70 load with 400 grain bullet will beat any 450 Marlin Guide Gun with factory 350 grain ammo. They give the factory ballistics from a 24" barrel (2100 fps) and then you shoot it in the 18" ported barrel. I chronographed the Hornady factory ammo and got an average of 1967 fps (5 shots) at 75 degrees F, with the 18" guide gun, 350 grain bullet. Three shots went into 2.75" at 100 yards, when I got lucky.

Why the heck did they need to recreate the 458 American of Frank Barnes?

I'll take the 45/70 over the 450 Marlin anyday.

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RAB

POP. I AGREE WITH DAGGARON I MUCH PREFER THE 45/70 OVER THE 450 MARLIN. THERE ARE MANY MORE FACTORY LOADS AVIALABLE FOR THE 45/70. CHECK BUFFALO BORE AND CORBON'S WEB SIGHT. I WENT AND CHECKED ON SOME CHRONOGRAPH INFO FOR THE 45/70. THIS IS FORM A PEDEROSOLI 45/70 DOUBLE, FACTORY LOADS DURING A BBL. REGULATION CHECK. 300 GRAIN BULLETS: W.W. 1864FPS. FEDERAL 1831 FPS. REMINGTON 1887FPS. CORBON 350GRAIN SINGLE SHOT PISTOL [THESE BULLETS ARE SLIGHTLY POINTED, DO NOT USE IN TUBULAR MAGAZINES, THEY MAKE A 350 FLAT NOSE] 1971FPS. THE OLD 415 GRAIN GARRETT CAST BULLET LOAD, 1731FPS. AND THE ONE RELOAD WE TESTED: 405 REMINGTON SOFT POINT, 53 GRAINS OF IMR 3031 1840FPS. I ONCE CHRONOGRAPHED 56 GRAINS OF IMR 3031 WITH A 350 GRAIN HORNADY RN. AT 1980FPS, IN A RUGER No1.

[This message has been edited by N E 450 No2 (edited 04-12-2002).]

I think I used 54.0 IMR 4895 and a Speer 400 FN. Double check the manual and start low and work up. I got extremely good accuracy.

I always used 53 grains of IMR 3031 with the 400-405 grain bullet in my original M1886 Winchester. There was a reason why it was Keith's favorite .45/70 load. I also use it now in a No. 1 Ruger, as my "mild" load!!

Pop: I like 54.0gr. of H335 with the Remington 405gr. bullet, R-P cases and CCI-250 primers.

Thanx fellas. I am looking at a Marlin 1895 right now. We will see. Man this passion for levers!

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"Hope for the best.....Expect the worst!"

check www.wildwestguns.com and look at there answer to that, 457 magnums