I'm officially in... the *Band of 45-70ers*! Got my Marlin 1895gs for $475 today! Nowhere around here has shells for some reason...I wanna shoot it!

Congratulations!!!!!!
No ammo!?!?
The scurvey dogs!

Congrats and enjoy!

My first non-rimfire was a marlin and I've got a 1895gs now (though mine swelled up to 50ak).

I hope you have a blast. If you don't already reload, now is the time to start, and then you'll REALLY have fun. It can be done on a shoestring when starting out and quickly pay for itself, and you can shoot even more.

Have fun and post a picture when it draws blood.

Bob

CONGRATULATIONS
we were all rooting for you.

Got shells at Basspro, my grandparents were over so we went to town to eat then to Basspro. I got the 300 grain Remington Express, they shoot excellent in my 7mm so I chose them over Winnies. What speed are they going, and what should I sight them in at?

They go 1800-1850. Sighted at 100 yds they would drop 5" at 150 and 12 " at 200 yds .So there's no excuse for getting your deer at least to 150 yds. If you want a tougher round get the Winchester Partition which I use. Buffalo Bore has some stiff loads for big stuff as does Garrett. Welcome to the club !!

quote:

Nowhere around here has shells for some reason...

You must live on the continent of Africa!!



Congrats!!

welcome to the club!!! (root beer)

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
Got shells at Basspro, my grandparents were over so we went to town to eat then to Basspro. I got the 300 grain Remington Express, they shoot excellent in my 7mm so I chose them over Winnies. What speed are they going, and what should I sight them in at?

Time to change your signature!

We went on a valiant ammo search:
Everharts: "We don't carry elephant rounds son."

3 Walmarts: 1 guy seemed knowledgable, said they usually carry 45-70 but didn't have any, next one asked if I meant 45 ACP, next guy asked about 45 Colt or 44 Mag. The thing that makes me mad is they had a list thing on the counter of all ammo they continually stock, 45-70 300 and 405 grain were on the list.

Local Gunshop: Locked but lights on... I went by at 2:00, they close at 6:00.

Basspro: Success, Remington 405 and 300 grain, and Winnie 300 grain.

But, it was too late to shoot it then...maybe later today after church...

Ok, until I get the stuff for reloading my own, what are some factory loads that aren't especially expensive, but offer as good better performance than the Remington's and Winchesters? I've heard PMC, but that's the only one I can remember. I don't want to spend $50 for Garrets or anything.

Good on ya!!

Heck, Hornady LE ammo is cheaper than the 405 and 300 grain stuff! Guess whats gonna be bought next... With the 300 grain JHP should I expect exits, and what size? Thumb, fist, bigger?

PMC no longer exists ! When you reload don't try to make a magnum out of it .Remember the hole starts out as .45 " expansion isn't all that critical.I went to the Win Partition because some of the others expanded too much and I lost some meat.The Partition does expand some but penetrates very well and some use it for elk.I do always like an exit hole .With the standard JHPs I had two deer ,each shot at 50 yds whe re the bullet ,striking a rib opened immediately --there was a 2" dia ENTRANCE hole and 1" dia exit hole !!!Clean cookie cutter type holes ! The Partition will smash a shoulder joint then go completely through the deer.Reloading you can use the Barnes or Nosler for really fine performance on deer or elk.When you get the deer they will ask 'what did you use , a cannon ?'

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I got the 300 grain Remington Express... What speed are they going, and what should I sight them in at?

The factory chronographs their ammunition from longer barrels than our Guide Guns. My Mjolnir starts the Remington factory 405 gr @ 1200 fps. Winchester & Federal 300 gr clock 1600 fps from the 18-1/2 ported barrel. I haven't chrono'd the Winchester Nosler 300 gr Partition but it flies just like the regular 300s so I'll guess the velocity is pretty close. I zero 405 @ 100 and the 300 an inch or so high at 100. Have fun, Tyler.

PMC does exist, just dormant. Bought by jamison int'l.

This is actually a dandy rifle for 90% of hunting.

Don't over look some of the cast bullet loads that are designed for the cowboy action shooters. Low recoil, decent accuracy and enough gun for most any animal in NA.

Cabela's bulk .45-70

Or similar stuff from other companies.

If your rifle is like the other GG's I've seen you'll amaze most folks as to how accurate a lever gun can be.

Thanks for all the info, I wondered why I couldn't find PMC ammo on any of the sites they had listed as carriers. Just shot 2 shots at a milk jug. 1 at 25 yards, missed to the left, 1 at 5 yards nicked the bottom left corner. Guess they aren't sighted in at the factory like it said int he manual. Left a nice several foot long expanding hole into the ground though.

How do I get the sights to adjust? They are "elevator" sights I think and they don't adjust for windage. It says in the book just tap them...but that doesn't really work. I used 13 shots of my 20 and I'm not sure I'm getting anywhere.

Brass tap plus a small brass hammer.

Brownells, Cabelas, etc.

You can also use a small piece of hardwood and the smallest hammer in your tool box.

If the bullets are hitting right, tap the rear sight left.

LD

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
How do I get the sights to adjust? They are "elevator" sights I think and they don't adjust for windage. It says in the book just tap them...but that doesn't really work. I used 13 shots of my 20 and I'm not sure I'm getting anywhere.

Slow down, Hoss. Shoot the sights as they are until you get a group, which ought to be smaller than the palm of your hand at 25 yards, even with the factory sights and box stock trigger. Shoot from a steady rest. Shoot as carefully as you're able. Try using the top of the bead for your point of aim instead of flopping the whole bead on top of what you're aiming at. Once you have a group then use a brass or plastic drift and a tack hammer to slowly move the rear sight the same direction you want your point of impact to move. Have fun.

How do you become a member of the Band. I have been shooting the 45-70 off and on since 1975 or so. Right now I have a Pedersoli Double, my first 45-70's were an 1895 Marlin when they first brought out the "New" gun, straight grip, 22 inch barrel, I think, this was befor the "Guide-Gun", and an 1873 H&R Trapdoor. Last thing I killed with the Pedersoli Double was 2 Javelina.

crazyhorse...

no innitiation...just have a 45-70, not be ashamed as some here are and add "we band of 45-70ers" to yer tagline

Oh, you poor poor lad... what will the neighbors think? .45/70 might small for some things, but big enough for most. Good luck and congratulations.

Ohhhh...she shoots sweet, I shot a group, probably a quarter inch for 3 shots. I'll post pics when my dad brings home the camera cord. The groups are small, just not where I want them.

Tyler:

Congrats!!!!

Great to hear it's grouping well - now you just have to start reloading. It really is the other half of the fun!!!!

Tyler
How do you know you are the youngest member? I thought I was the youngest. Most of the others are a bunch of crochety old codgers (no disrespect intended, I hope to be one someday). I'm glad to have on board the "faster is not always better boat".

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The groups are small, just not where I want them.

Something to look out for is the tendency of a shiny round bead front sight to shoot away from the light. If you shot your groups in bright sunlight (on your right) you might try blackening your sights before you start drifting them. So, how is the trigger on your 1895?

Congrats Tyler!Your in the club now for sure! Have fun with your new big bore!

I just knew it would come to this...congratulations Ty.

Rich

Yeah the bead can be hard to see. The trigger is fine, I would guess it around 5 lbs, not much creep (can lever guns have creep? I don't know much about triggers) at all, I don't notice triggers unless they are REAL heavy.

Group was .35, not .25, sorry I lied, that .1 inchcould make a big difference in world class competition.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
Group was .35, not .25, sorry I lied, that .1 inchcould make a big difference in world class competition.

Nice shootin!!!! Any chance for blooding it yet?

When deer season comes it will have it's chance. Or if the stray coyote walks my way anytime soon...

Congrats Tyler,

I just hammered a black bear with my Guide Gun 2 weeks ago in Canada. I grow more impressed with mine every time I shoot it. So handy and easy to carry and what awesome power in such a small package. It is one of my very favorite rifles. Have fun.

Andy

I've got one fitted with the XS ghost ring set up. It's a great little rifle. I shot my first bear with it.

If you really want to hammer yourself, get some Buffalo Bore 400 gr. at 2000 fps. In a seven pound rifle it's more than a handful.

Congratulations on a great gun.

Tyler,

if you want to shoot economically, try the Laser-Cast line of hard, make that H-A-R-D, like 24Bhn bullets. Especially their new(er) 430gr gascheck 45 bullet. I have shot these in my 45-120 and 458wm over 2400fps with 2moa accuracy and zero leading.

Rich
yer makin me proud son!

I really didn't think it kicked bad at all. I did have a slip-on limbsaveer, but that's because I like the length of pull better with it on, keeps my face back a bit. I shot it without the pad make sure I kept my head back and it didn't kick like I expected. I was told the 300 grain loads kick decently, but I didn't think it was as bad as my 7mm.

As far as bullets what about cheap hunting bullets? Will the Laser Cast work? They are so cheap I would love to use them, but would they just plow straight through since they are so hard? What about the Meister cast bullets? What grain of the Oregon Trail Laser Cast should I try?

Tyler: Whatever you do, avoid Remington 300 grain hollowpoints, available in bulk from Midway and others. At 2000 fps, I had oe of these fail on a small mule deer buck running broadside to me at 45-50 yards. The bullet blew up on the little guy's spine. It is too delicate for the loads your Marlin is capable of. Remember, you can get a Lee bullet mold for your rifle for under $20. I have had lots of fun with their 325-grain slug loaded light for plinking and heavier for hunting use. Cast you bullets from wheelweights or even range scrap if you want to save money, yet have a lot of fun with your Marlin.